Standards Alignment
- TEKS.PE.2.02A primary
demonstrate maintaining balance standing on one foot while placing the free leg in a variety of different positions for eight seconds; and - TEKS.PE.2.02B primary
differentiate between bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying.
Companion Video Lesson
This text lesson has a separate video watch page so search engines and learners can treat the written lesson and the video lesson as distinct resources.
Open the dedicated video lesson page
Lesson Overview
This Grade 2 physical education lesson focuses on developing non-locomotor movement skills, specifically maintaining balance while standing on one foot with the free leg in various positions, and differentiating between fundamental body movements such as bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying. The lesson is designed to build physical literacy by helping students demonstrate competency in these fundamental movement patterns through direct teaching, guided practice, and reflection, aligned with TEKS standards.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate maintaining balance while standing on one foot with the free leg placed in different positions for eight seconds.
- Identify and differentiate between the body movements: bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying.
Success Criteria
- Students can balance on one foot with the free leg in at least three different positions for eight seconds each.
- Students can correctly name and demonstrate each of the seven body movements: bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying.
- Students show control and safety awareness during movement practice.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be familiar with basic body awareness and able to follow simple movement instructions. They should have some experience with standing balance and moving different body parts independently.
Key Vocabulary
- Balance
- Non-locomotor skills
- Bending
- Stretching
- Twisting
- Curling
- Pushing
- Pulling
- Swaying
- Free leg
Materials and Resources
- Open space free of obstacles
- Cones or markers to designate practice areas
- Visual aids or posters illustrating the seven body movements
- Stopwatch or timer
Teacher Preparation
- Review the definitions and demonstrations of each body movement: bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying.
- Prepare a safe, open area for movement practice.
- Plan to demonstrate balancing on one foot with the free leg in various positions (e.g., front, side, back).
- Prepare visual aids to support vocabulary introduction.
- Have a stopwatch ready to time eight-second balances.
Detailed Lesson Notes
Understanding Non-Locomotor Skills
Non-locomotor skills are movements performed without traveling from one place to another. These include actions like bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying. These fundamental movements help develop body control, coordination, and balance, which are essential for physical literacy.
Balance and Its Importance
Balance is the ability to maintain the body's center of gravity over its base of support. Standing on one foot challenges balance and stability. Practicing balance with the free leg in different positions helps strengthen muscles and improves body awareness.
Descriptions of Key Body Movements
- Bending: Moving a body part so that the angle between bones decreases, such as bending the elbow or knees.
- Stretching: Extending a body part to its full length.
- Twisting: Rotating a body part around its axis.
- Curling: Drawing the body or a body part into a rounded shape.
- Pushing: Applying force away from the body.
- Pulling: Applying force toward the body.
- Swaying: Moving the body gently from side to side or back and forth.
Demonstrating Balance with Free Leg Positions
To maintain balance on one foot, the free leg can be placed in various positions such as:
- Front: lifting the free leg straight forward.
- Side: lifting the free leg out to the side.
- Back: lifting the free leg straight behind.
Each position challenges balance differently and helps develop control.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think balancing is only about standing still; however, balance involves control while moving or holding different positions.
- Confusing the body movements (e.g., twisting vs. turning the whole body) can occur; clear demonstrations help clarify.
- Holding balance for eight seconds may seem long; encourage gradual improvement and focus on quality rather than duration initially.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 1
Scenario
A student stands on their right foot and lifts their left leg straight out to the side, holding this position for eight seconds without touching the ground. What skill is the student demonstrating?
Explanation
The student is demonstrating balance by standing on one foot while placing the free leg in a side position and maintaining it for eight seconds, as required by TEKS.PE.2.02A.
Answer Guide
The student is demonstrating maintaining balance on one foot with the free leg in a side position for eight seconds.
Worked Example 2
Scenario
If a student moves their torso by turning it from left to right without moving their feet, which body movement are they performing?
Explanation
Turning the torso without moving the feet is an example of twisting, which involves rotating a body part around its axis, matching the definition in TEKS.PE.2.02B.
Answer Guide
The student is performing twisting.
Engage
Teacher Activity
Introduce the lesson by asking students if they have ever tried standing on one foot and what makes it easy or hard. Show a quick demonstration balancing on one foot with the free leg in a simple position.
Student Activity
Students share their experiences with balancing and try standing on one foot briefly to feel their balance.
Explanation
This activity activates prior knowledge and interest in balance and body movements, setting the stage for learning new skills.
Examples
- Students attempt to balance on one foot, some may wobble or lose balance.
- Students show curiosity about how to move their free leg while balancing.
Explore
Teacher Activity
Demonstrate each body movement (bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, swaying) with clear examples. Then, demonstrate balancing on one foot with the free leg in front, side, and back positions, holding each for eight seconds.
Student Activity
Students imitate each body movement and practice balancing on one foot with the free leg in the demonstrated positions, trying to hold each for eight seconds.
Explanation
Students explore the movements through guided practice, developing muscle memory and understanding of each skill.
Examples
- Students perform each body movement with varying accuracy.
- Students attempt to hold balance for eight seconds, some may need support or encouragement.
Explain
Teacher Activity
Explain the importance of each movement and how they help with body control and physical literacy. Emphasize safety and control during practice. Clarify differences between similar movements, such as twisting vs. turning.
Student Activity
Students listen and ask questions to understand the purpose of each movement and how to perform them safely.
Explanation
Clear explanations help students connect movements to their body awareness and physical development.
Examples
- Students demonstrate understanding by asking relevant questions or explaining movements in their own words.
Elaborate
Teacher Activity
Organize practice stations or partner activities where students take turns demonstrating balance and body movements. Provide immediate feedback and encourage students to try different free leg positions and body movements.
Student Activity
Students rotate through stations practicing balance and body movements, giving and receiving feedback with partners.
Explanation
Applying skills in varied contexts reinforces learning and builds confidence.
Examples
- Students improve balance duration and movement accuracy.
- Students engage cooperatively and support each other's learning.
Evaluate
Teacher Activity
Ask students to demonstrate balancing on one foot with the free leg in at least two different positions for eight seconds each. Then, ask them to perform and name each body movement learned.
Student Activity
Students demonstrate balance and perform each body movement, explaining what they are doing.
Explanation
This assessment confirms students' competency in the targeted skills and vocabulary.
Examples
- Students successfully balance for eight seconds in different leg positions.
- Students correctly identify and perform each body movement.
Classroom Activity
Students imitate each body movement and practice balancing on one foot with the free leg in the demonstrated positions, trying to hold each for eight seconds.
Guided Practice
Guided Practice 1
Prompt
What skill is demonstrated when a student balances on one foot with the free leg in different positions for eight seconds?
Teacher Answer Guide
Maintaining balance on one foot with the free leg in various positions.
Guided Practice 2
Prompt
How can you tell the difference between twisting and curling?
Teacher Answer Guide
Twisting involves rotating a body part around its axis, while curling involves drawing the body or a part into a rounded shape.
Independent Practice
- Foundational: What does it mean to balance on one foot?
- Developing: Name three different positions you can put your free leg in while balancing on one foot.
- Application: Show how you would bend and then stretch your arms. What is the difference between these two movements?
- Analysis: Explain why pushing and pulling are important movements in daily life. Give an example of each.
- Challenge: Describe how swaying and curling are different movements and give a situation where each might be used in a game or activity.
Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key
- 1. Balancing on one foot means standing on one foot without falling over, keeping your body steady.
- 2. You can put your free leg in front, to the side, or behind while balancing on one foot.
- 3. Bending the arms means making the angle smaller by bringing the hands closer to the shoulders; stretching means straightening the arms out fully. The difference is bending decreases the angle at the joint, stretching increases it.
- 4. Pushing and pulling help us move objects and interact with our environment. For example, pushing a door open and pulling a drawer out are daily activities that use these movements.
- 5. Swaying is moving the body gently side to side or back and forth, like swaying to music; curling is drawing the body into a rounded shape, like curling up to protect yourself in a game. They differ in movement direction and body shape changes.
Guiding Questions
- What helps you keep your balance when standing on one foot?
- How do you know if you are bending or stretching?
- Can you show me twisting and curling?
- Why is it important to practice these movements safely?
Common Misconceptions
- Balancing is only about standing still, but it also includes holding different positions with control.
- Twisting means turning the whole body, but it specifically refers to rotating a body part around its axis.
- Holding balance for eight seconds is too long for young children; they can gradually build up to this time.
Differentiation
Support and Intervention
Provide physical support or use a wall for students who struggle to balance initially. Use visual aids and simple language to explain body movements. Allow shorter balance times at first and gradually increase duration.
English-Language Learner Support
Use pictures and gestures to demonstrate each body movement. Label movements with simple words and repeat vocabulary frequently. Pair ELL students with peers for modeling and practice.
Advanced and Extension
Challenge students to hold balance with eyes closed or on a less stable surface. Ask students to combine two or more body movements in a sequence. Encourage students to explain the muscle groups used during each movement.
Assessment
- Observe students as they practice balancing on one foot and performing body movements, giving immediate feedback.
- Ask students to name and demonstrate each body movement during practice.
- Use questioning to check understanding of movement differences.
- Have students demonstrate balancing on one foot with the free leg in a chosen position for eight seconds.
- Ask students to perform and name three different body movements learned today.
- Conduct a short skills circuit where students rotate through balance and body movement stations demonstrating competency.
- Have students explain in their own words the difference between bending and curling.
Answer Guide
- What skill is demonstrated when a student balances on one foot with the free leg in different positions for eight seconds?
Answer: Maintaining balance on one foot with the free leg in various positions. - How can you tell the difference between twisting and curling?
Answer: Twisting involves rotating a body part around its axis, while curling involves drawing the body or a part into a rounded shape.
Real-Life Application
Encourage students to practice balancing on one foot at home while placing their free leg in different positions and to identify body movements they use during daily activities like bending or pushing.
Homework or Home Connection
- Encourage students to practice balancing on one foot at home while placing their free leg in different positions and to identify body movements they use during daily activities like bending or pushing.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, students learned to maintain balance on one foot while placing the free leg in various positions for eight seconds, and to differentiate between seven fundamental body movements: bending, stretching, twisting, curling, pushing, pulling, and swaying. These non-locomotor skills build body control and physical literacy, helping students develop coordination and confidence in movement.
Teacher Notes
Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.