Playing Fair: Good Sportsmanship In and Out of Sports
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about being a good sport.
- Talk about why it’s important to be respectful, even when you’re competing.
- Read about a basketball player who showed good sportsmanship.
- Listen to a famous athlete talk about being a good sport.
- Write about a time you showed good sportsmanship or saw someone else do it.
Key Words:
- Sportsmanship: Playing fair and being kind and respectful to others, even if you win or lose.
- Respect: Treating others the way you want to be treated.
- Fairness: Following the rules and not cheating.
- Empathy: Understanding how someone else feels.
- Congratulate: To tell someone you’re happy for their success.
Let’s Talk About It!
- What does it mean to be a “good sport”?
- Have you ever seen someone show good sportsmanship? What did they do?
- Why is it important to be a good sport, even when you lose?
Let’s Read a Story!
Mark’s team was playing a basketball game. It was the final minute, and the score was tied. Mark saw a player from the other team fall down and get hurt. Instead of trying to score, Mark stopped and helped the other player get up. Even though Mark’s team lost the game, everyone was proud of him for being a good sport.
Questions About the Story:
- What did Mark do when the other player got hurt?
- Did Mark’s team win the game?
- Why were people proud of Mark?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short interview with a famous athlete talking about the importance of sportsmanship.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a player who just lost a game. The other is the friend of the player. The friend says things to show good sportsmanship.
Example:
- Player: “I can’t believe we lost! We played so hard.”
- Friend: “You did play great! Don’t worry, there’s always next time. I’m proud of how you played.”
Homework:
Write a short paragraph about a time when you showed good sportsmanship or saw someone else do it. How did it make you feel?
Extra Fun:
Make a list of ways you can show good sportsmanship in different situations, both in sports and in everyday life.
