Learning Activity: Examining good sportsmanship

• Find the right sports program for your kids

• NAIA: Champions of Character

• Insitiute for the Study of Youth Sports

• Education World: Emphasizing Sportsmanship in Youth Sports

CNN STUDENT NEWS

(CNN Student News) -- Your students will explore the meaning and importance of good sportsmanship.

Procedure

Ask students:

How would you define the term "sportsmanship"?

In your view, what are the attributes of good sportsmanship? Give examples.

Can you recall times when you have seen fans at sporting events become belligerent or lose control? If so, why do you think that these people behaved this way?

Do you think that it is important for people to display good sportsmanship while participating in athletic events or viewing them? Why or why not?

Help your students generate a list of survey questions that they can administer to their peers and adults to find out their views on what it means to be a good sport on and off the field. Have each student poll three of their peers and three adults to get their answers to the survey questions. Have students share their responses in class discussion, and chart and summarize their responses on the board. Then, ask students to draw upon their research to create a rule book of attributes that they feel exemplify good sportsmanship. At the end of the rule book, have students develop a list of behaviors that people should and should not display while coaching and attending student athletic events. Distribute copies to the students' parents, other classes, and to the school's athletic department.

Correlated Standards

Physical Education

Standard 5. Understands the social and personal responsibility associated with participation in physical activity

Level IV [Grade: 9-12]

Benchmark 7. Understands the concept of "sportsmanship" and the importance of responsible behavior while participating in physical activities.

McREL: Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) (http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014.

Keywords

sportsmanship, coaching, athletics, conduct, attitudes, character

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