Pupils explore the meaning of the ancient Greek word aretê and the place of virtue in historical athletic competition and modern sports. They begin by reading an informational text on the goal of sports in education, and then...

Learners research the roles of individuals, groups, and institutions in sports history. They create fictional sports magazines to demonstrate an awareness of the uniqueness of individuals and appreciation of themselves as athletes....

Students identify the items and events that make adaptive sports possible. In this adaptive sports lesson, students research how accomplishments are obtained for people with disabilities.  Students research different tournaments,...

Middle schoolers study online resources to examine the ancient Olympic Games and athletes. They investigate the qualities of ancient Olympic athletes and role interviews with the athletes.

A PBS clip focused on collecting sports memorabilia launches this research project lesson plan. Class members then read Dan Gutman’s Honus and Me in which Wagner’s baseball card is used to time travel. The lesson plan ends with...

The ancient Greeks used performance enhancing drugs, such as opium juice, when they participated in the original Olympic Games. Pupils research a website with debate topics to decide if athletes' use of such drugs in modern sports is...

Students investigate African-American baseball players from the early 20th century. They read an article, answer discussion questions, write a journal entry, and create a poster-size baseball card for an athlete.

Learners examine online or hard copy timelines of athletics, discuss what they like and dislike about time tables they have reviewed, research in small groups history of basketball, baseball, gymnastics, or track and field, and create...

Students research and list various sports related careers. Students select a career and prepare a five- slide presentation highlighting that career.

Would you stand up for your beliefs, no matter the cost? Scholars investigate their own families to uncover examples of how and when someone stood up for their ideals. Using video clips, interviews, and eulogies, they come to understand...

Students research and analyze the development of sports in our country. Students interpret the events in histors that have been reflected in the sports and leisure activities selected as individuals and as a nation. Students create their...

Students study several different types of Chinese sports played throughout history in China. They examine the historical perspective of the importance of sports in Chinese culture and create a final project using information about three...

Middle schoolers discuss and analyze the pros and cons of using Native American names and images to represent sports teams. Using primary sources, including position statements from Native American tribes, interviews with school alumni...

High schoolers research how women are perceived in sports. They debate the issue of whether cheer leading should be considered a sport and are scored on student made rubrics.

At best, fighting in hockey makes the sport more entertaining; at worst, fighting could lead to death. Pupils read background information about the prevalence of fighting in hockey since the 1917 formation of the National Hockey League....

Pupils examine the history of horse racing. They discuss their experiences with horse racing and conduct Internet research. They select a topic related to the history of horse racing, write and present a report, and read and summarize a...

Fifth graders discuss the history of sports in Iowa. In this sports lesson plan, 5th graders write a friendly sports letter and a how to directional writing. They write five entries in their journal from the point of view of a piece of...

It's been a long time coming! In 2020, MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manifred, Jr. stated that "the Negro Leagues would be recognized as official major leagues." Middle schoolers investigate the history of the Negro Leagues and use evidence...

What is technical knowledge? The class explores what technical knowledge might mean to an Olympic athlete. They catalog the different types of information that athletes would need to compete in various Winter Olympic sports and develop...

Learners consider the role of Sport Relief in aiding developing nations. In this current events lesson plan, students visit selected websites to learn about the history of the fundraiser and how Sport Relief provides educational...

Students explore the history of rubber. In this rubber lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the history of the product and its uses in society. Students create timelines that detail the...

Students write personal histories. For this historical analysis lesson, students explore their own places in history as they read the diaries of others and write their own.

Third graders label a map of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations and do a written report on one element of these two cultures. They participate in discussions of food, farming, daily life and government (among others). Students use the...

Learners are introduced to the history of Greece and the Olympic Games and then research the history and sports in order to write a research paper. They make connections between the 2004 Olympics and the past Olympic Games and interpret...