K-2 PE Lesson Ideas

Put small pieces of masking tape (one for each student) on the floor around the activity area. Make sure there is enough room around each piece so a student standing on the tape will not be able to touch others.

As students come into the playing area, have them to find a piece of tape. Quickly call out body parts for them to place on the tape (for example, "Put your wrist on Mr. Tape"..."Put your back on Mr. Tape"...etc.) Also, include some movements such as "Jump up and down on Mr. Tape"..."Jog in place on Mr. Tape"; "Do the twist on Mr. Tape", "Do pushups on Mr. Tape", etc.

Explain to students that they have been standing on a self space and that it's difficult to touch others or anything else when they are in this space. Tell them it is time to move now as you're going to challenge them to keep this self space as they move throughout the playing area. When the music goes, they are to move; when it stops, they are to safely find a Mr. Tape to stand on. (You may decide to give them additional challenges when they find a space.)

Eventually, the tape can be taken away and students challenged to find a self space on their own.