Grade by Grade
B. Active Living / C. Movement Competence · Active, Fit and Skilful

Balances, Shapes and Partners

C1 A1.4 A1.5About 35 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can hold still balances using different body parts, levels and shapes.
  • I can balance with equipment, like a beanbag on my head or a line on the floor.
  • I can mirror a partner's balances by watching their body carefully.
  • I can move smoothly from one balance to the next.

Words to know

static balance
Balancing while staying still, like a statue.
dynamic balance
Balancing while moving, like walking along a line.
base of support
The body parts touching the ground that hold you up.
level
How high or low your body is: high, medium or low.
transition
Moving smoothly from one move or balance to the next.
mirror
To copy a partner's moves at the same time, like their reflection.

Remember from Grade 1

You learned static balance (staying still like a statue) and dynamic balance (balancing while moving). You balanced at different levels (high, medium, low) and in different shapes (wide, narrow, curled, twisted).

This year you will balance with equipment, with a partner, and link balances together smoothly.

Your base of support

The body parts touching the floor are your base of support.

  • More parts touching, spread wide apart = easier to balance. (Two hands and two feet, like a table.)
  • Fewer parts touching, close together = harder. (One foot, on tiptoes.)

Try it: balance on two hands and two knees. Now lift one hand. Now lift one knee too. It gets harder each time!

widenarrowcurledone foot
Balance shapes: wide like a star, narrow like a pencil, curled like a ball, and on one foot with arms out.

Balancing with equipment

You can make balances more fun and more challenging with things from home:

  • Put a beanbag or a small stuffed toy on your head and walk slowly.
  • Walk heel-to-toe along a line of tape or a skipping rope on the floor.
  • Hold a balance on a pillow (wobbly!) at a low level.
  • Hold a pool noodle or a ribbon while you balance.

Always use equipment on the floor or low down, never on chairs or tables.

Balancing with a partner

In a mirror balance, one partner is the leader and makes a balance. The other partner copies it like a reflection in a mirror. If the leader lifts their right arm, the mirror lifts their left arm.

To be a good partner:

  • Watch your partner's body language: arms, legs, face and how fast they move.
  • Leaders: move slowly so your partner can follow.
  • If your partner looks wobbly or worried, slow down or choose an easier balance. That shows you care.
mirrorZoe (leader)right foot down, left arm upKai (mirror)left foot down, right arm up
Zoe and Kai face each other. Zoe's left arm is up, so Kai's right arm goes up, like a reflection in a mirror.

Smooth transitions

To link balances smoothly:

  1. Hold the first balance for 3 seconds (count "1 maple leaf, 2 maple leaf, 3 maple leaf").
  2. Move slowly with control into the next one. Roll, step, stretch or twist.
  3. Hold the next balance for 3 seconds.

No flopping! Your movements should look like slow motion.

Just for fun

Flamingos often stand on one leg for a long time, even while they rest. Try it for 10 seconds... then be glad you are allowed to use two!

Worked example

Let's make a balance sequence

Make a sequence of 3 balances: one at a low level, one at a medium level and one at a high level, with smooth transitions.

  1. Balance 1 (low): curled on your knees and elbows, like a turtle. Hold for 3 seconds.
  2. Transition: slowly uncurl and come up onto your knees.
  3. Balance 2 (medium): kneel on one knee with arms stretched wide. Hold for 3 seconds.
  4. Transition: slowly stand up, pushing through your front foot.
  5. Balance 3 (high): stand on tiptoes with a narrow body, arms reaching to the sky. Hold for 3 seconds.

Low → medium → high, each held for 3 seconds, joined by slow, controlled transitions.

Worked example

Let's mirror a partner

Zoe leads and Kai mirrors. Zoe balances on her right foot with her left arm up. What does Kai do?

  1. Face each other, an arm's length apart.
  2. Kai watches Zoe's whole body: which foot, which arm, what level.
  3. Like a mirror, Zoe's right foot is on Kai's left side, so Kai balances on his left foot.
  4. Zoe's left arm is up, so Kai puts his right arm up.
  5. Kai notices Zoe's face: she is smiling and steady, so they can try a harder balance next.

Kai balances on his left foot with his right arm up, like a reflection.

Hands-on activity

Living room balance challenge

You need: a skipping rope or tape, a beanbag or rolled-up socks, a pillow, and a partner.

  1. Line walk: walk heel-to-toe along the rope forward, then sideways.
  2. Head carry: walk slowly across the room with a beanbag on your head. Then try it at a low level, walking with bent knees.
  3. Pillow balance: kneel on a pillow and lift one arm. Hold for 5 seconds.
  4. Mirror game: face your partner. Take turns leading 4 balances each. Then switch.
  5. Show time: make a 3-balance sequence and show your family.

Clear the space of anything sharp or breakable first.

Your turn

1

Which is easier to hold: a balance on two hands and two feet, or on one foot? Why?

2

Name the three levels.

3

What is a transition?

4

In a mirror balance, the leader lifts their right leg. Which leg does the mirror lift?

5

Your partner looks wobbly and worried. What can you do as the leader?

6

Do it and check: Balance on one foot with a beanbag (or rolled socks) on your head for 5 seconds.

7

Do it and check: Make a wide balance at a low level.

More practice: warm-up

1

Is walking along a line static or dynamic balance?

2

Is standing still like a statue static or dynamic balance?

3

What do you call the body parts touching the floor?

4

Is standing on tiptoes a high or low level?

5

Do it and check: Make a narrow shape at a high level.

More practice: on your own

1

How could you make a balance on two feet harder?

2

Why should you hold each balance for about 3 seconds in a sequence?

3

Why is it important to watch your partner's body language in a mirror game?

4

Name two things from home you could use for balance practice.

5

Do it and check: Do a curled balance, then transition smoothly to a wide balance.

Challenge

1

Make a sequence of 4 balances that uses all three levels and at least two different shapes. Write or draw it, then perform it.

2

With a partner, make a partner balance where you both help each other stay up. Describe it.

3

Explain why kneeling on a pillow is harder than kneeling on the floor.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which balance is the hardest to hold?

2.

What is your base of support?

3.

In a mirror game, your leader raises their left arm. You raise your...

4.

Which is a low level balance?

5.

What makes a transition smooth?

6.

Your partner looks scared during a balance. What should you do?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 2 students perform a variety of static balances using different body parts, levels and shapes, with and without equipment and with others, and begin linking movements with smooth transitions.

How to help at home:

  • Be your child's mirror partner! Let them lead too.
  • Use safe, low equipment only: tape lines, beanbags or socks, pillows on the floor.
  • Count the 3-second hold together and praise control, not speed.

Common difficulties:

  • Mixing up left and right when mirroring. Tell them: "Just copy what you see, like a mirror." It doesn't need to be perfect.
  • Rushing. Slow-motion transitions are harder and better.
  • Looking down. Eyes on one spot ahead helps balance.

Social-emotional link (strand A): reading a partner's body language in mirroring (healthy relationships, A1.4) and noticing what one's own body can do (self-awareness, A1.5).