Unit Plan 29 (PreK PE): Moving Safely Together
PreK PE builds spatial awareness and safety through cooperative movement challenges, helping children use personal space, follow rules, and move safely with others.
Focus: Help children build safety and spatial awareness through cooperative movement challenges that teach them how to move carefully in general space, recognize personal space, and follow simple safety rules while working with others.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Physical Education (Spatial Awareness • Safety Rules • Cooperative Movement)
Total Unit Duration: 2 core sessions + 2 optional sessions (1–2 weeks), 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
PreK students continue building movement confidence by learning that PE is safest and most fun when children know how to move with control around others. At this age, children benefit from simple cooperative tasks that help them notice where their body is, where classmates are, and how to follow clear movement rules in shared space. This unit uses walking pathways as the warm-up and then moves into cooperative movement challenges where children travel, stop, balance, and solve simple partner or small-group movement tasks without bumping into others. The goal is to help children practice moving safely in general space, respecting personal space, and following simple rules during active play.
Essential Questions
- How can I move safely in PE?
- What is personal space and why does it matter?
- How can I work with others without bumping into them?
- What rules help keep movement games safe?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Move safely in general space while recognizing personal space.
- Follow simple rules and safety guidelines during movement activities.
- Participate in cooperative movement challenges with growing body control.
- Practice stopping, waiting, and moving carefully around classmates and equipment.
Standards Alignment — PreK (SHAPE America-based custom)
- PE:S2.PKa Move safely in general space and recognize personal space while participating in activities.
- Example: Children move around the gym without bumping into others.
- PE:S4.PKa Follow simple rules and safety guidelines during physical activity.
- Example: Children wait their turn during a throwing activity.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can move safely in PE.
- I can keep my body in my own space.
- I can work with others without bumping.
- I can follow safety rules during games.