| Standards Compliance |
NCSS
Strand 1
Culture
|
NCSS
Strand 3
People, Places, and Environments
|
NCTE
Standard 7
Students conduct research by generating ideas, questions, and problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data.
|
NCTE
Standard 8
Students use a variety of technology and information resources to gather, synthesize, and communicate knowledge.
|
ISTE
Standard 5
Technology research tools
|
|
Introduction:
The first Princeton University baseball game ever played (against Williams College) occurred in 1864, the year that Frances Folsom Cleveland was born. Men’s Lacrosse began in 1882, and the first wrestling match took place in 1905. When Frances and President Cleveland left office in 1897, they moved to Princeton, New Jersey. It is more than likely that Mrs. Cleveland attended sports events on the campus, as well as other social and cultural activities.
Objectives:
The purpose of this lesson is to offer students the opportunity to do selective research by looking for records of “firsts” in a wide variety of sports. Students will then work together to create games based on their research.
Materials Required:
Access to the Internet
Access to print materials
paper, pencils, art supplies
Tag board
Procedures:
1. Introduce the lesson by engaging students in a conversation about their favorite sports, why they like that particular sport, how long they think its been played, etc.
2. Then, explain that they are going to be doing research for a game that they will design later. The “content” of the game is sports “firsts,” for example,the very first baseball game ever played in the U.S.; or the first time a forward pass was thrown in football; or the first woman to drive in the Daytona 500.
3. Using the websites listed below, as well as other online sources and print materials, have students begin their research. If appropriate, they might work in teams of two or three. In any case, students should keep careful notes of the “firsts” they find.
4. After the research is complete, students should discuss what to do with the data. Several possibilities might present themselves: a trivia game (complete with trivia board); a Jeopardy game; a set of quizzes, etc.
5. To conclude the lesson, students should have an opportunity to play the game or games they have devised.
Extending the Lesson:
This lesson could be extended by including data that shows interesting information about various sports, but not necessarily “firsts.”
Sources & Resources:
Books:
Miller, Ernestine. Making Her Mark: Firsts and Milestones in Women’s Sports. New York: Contemporary Books, 2002.
Websites:
Sports Firsts for Women
African American “Firsts” in Sports
A Day of Sports “Firsts”
Breaking Records
Modern Olympic Game Firsts
World Almanac for Kids
Famous NFL Firsts
Credits:
This lesson was developed by Averil McClelland, Kent State University.
|