Unit Plan 21 (Grade 2 PE): Space Awareness Tag

Focus: Build space awareness, safe fleeing, and early open-space decision-making by helping students move with control, avoid collisions, and run to safe open areas or bases during tag games.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Physical Education (Locomotor Skills • Space Awareness • Simple Game Concepts)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students continue developing movement confidence by learning how to travel safely in busy game spaces while paying attention to where others are moving. This unit focuses on using locomotor skills such as running, skipping, galloping, and sliding in tag-style games that require students to notice open space, avoid crowded areas, and flee safely from taggers. Through general-space movement activities and Safe Zone Tag, students begin to understand a simple game idea: moving to open space can help them stay safer and more successful. The unit also reinforces important habits such as keeping eyes up, changing direction safely, slowing down near others, and making quick but controlled movement choices.

Essential Questions

• How can I move safely in general space when many other students are moving too?
• What does it mean to move to open space in a game?
• How can I flee safely without bumping into others?
• What helps me choose the best pathway to a safe base or open area?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform locomotor skills such as run, hop, jump, gallop, slide, leap, and skip with control in game-like movement tasks.
2. Demonstrate space awareness by moving safely around others and avoiding collisions during tag games.
3. Begin to apply a simple game concept by moving to open space and using safe bases or safe pathways to avoid taggers.
4. Use controlled speed, direction changes, and visual awareness to flee safely and make smart movement decisions.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.2a – Locomotor Skills with Control Perform locomotor skills (run, hop, jump, gallop, slide, leap, and skip) with control, coordination, and appropriate speed for the task.
  • Example: Students complete a locomotor obstacle course using different movements at various points (run to the cone, hop through hoops, slide along a line).
• PE:S2.2a – Space Awareness in Games Demonstrate understanding of personal and general space by moving safely during tag, chasing, and fleeing games.
  • Example: Students avoid collisions while moving quickly during a tag game by staying aware of others and changing direction.
• PE:S2.2d – Simple Offensive & Defensive Concepts Begin to demonstrate basic offensive and defensive ideas such as moving to open space and staying between an opponent and a goal.
  • Example: In a simple keep-away game, students move to open spaces to receive a pass or stand between the ball and a target.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can move in general space without bumping into others.
• I can use running and other locomotor skills with control during tag games.
• I can look for open space and move to a safer area or base.
• I can change direction and flee safely when a tagger is near.