CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Sportsmanship – Basketball Team Manager Gets His Big Shot

Character is important, no matter the setting. Sportsmanship is how we show good character in sporting events and competitions.
Sportsmanship
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Trustworthiness
  • Responsibility
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Diligent Learner
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Respect
  • Follow the Golden Rule.
  • Be accepting of differences.
  • Be courteous to others.
  • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Fairness
  • Play by the rules.
  • Take turns and share.
  • Be open-minded. Listen to others.
  • Don’t take advantage of others.
Relationship Skills

Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.

Social Awareness

Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.

Diligent Learner

Exhibit a growth mindset and willingness to learn from mistakes.

Self-Direction and Engagement

Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
Share This Activity
The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News
Students will identify examples of sportsmanship and reflect on how the principles of sportsmanship apply to everyday life.
Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What does it look and sound like to be a good sport?
  • What is the definition of sportsmanship?
    • Sportsmanship is fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in a sports contest.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • In the video, Steve said, “When you win, don’t gloat. When you lose, don’t pout. When you play, don’t ever leave your compassion on the bench.” What are some examples of how you can use this idea? 
  • How do you think Mitchell felt when he made the basket?
  • The Golden Rule is “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” How does this connect to good sportsmanship?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Scratch paper (make into paper balls)
  • Trashcans or baskets
  • Masking tape/painter’s tape
  • Ruler/measuring tape
activity

Activity: Trashketball

Play Trashketball to give all students a chance to show good sportsmanship.

  • Divide students into teams of five.
  • Give each group a basket or trash can and paper balls.
  • Set a timer for three minutes.
  • Measure three feet from each basket and mark the spot using tape. Students will line up behind this line and must shoot the ball from behind the line.
  • Once a student shoots a basket, they go to the end of the line and encourage their teammates.
  • Each team must try to make as many baskets as they can before the end of the timer.
  • Encourage students to practice good sportsmanship and help each other when someone misses.
  • Follow-up question:
    • What are some examples of good sportsmanship you witnessed in our game?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What are some ways you can show good sportsmanship? When is it important to show good sportsmanship at school?
  • How can you encourage your teammates or classmates, even when things aren’t going well?

6-12

  • How does good sportsmanship extend beyond sports and into everyday life?
  • How do you think good sportsmanship builds strong relationships with teammates? What about your relationships with opponents?
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents, or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch
Watch the video as a family: https://youtu.be/uo5phvYNKqo

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about sportsmanship.

  • What does good sportsmanship look like to you?

Activity

As a family, play a game called HORSE.

How to play:

  • Each player takes turns shooting the basketball from anywhere on the court.
  • The player who starts (the “shooter”) chooses a spot on the court to shoot.
  • If the shooter makes the basket, all other players must attempt the same shot from the same spot.
  • If a player misses the basket they attempted to mimic, they receive a letter, starting with ‘H.’
  • The game continues with the next player in line, taking their turn to shoot from a different spot on the court.

How to score:

  • Each time players fail to match a successful shot, they receive a letter (starting with ‘H’).
  • The letters spell out “H-O-R-S-E”.
  • Once a player accumulates all the letters to spell “HORSE,” they are out of the game.
  • The last player remaining without spelling out “HORSE” wins the game.

How to cheer:

  • Players eliminated can continue to cheer on the remaining players until a winner is determined.
  • Practice good sportsmanship and call out those behaviors when you see them in the game.

Optional Rules:

  • Players can agree on additional rules or variations, such as allowing trick shots, setting boundaries on where shots can be taken from, or imposing time limits on shot attempts. These rules can add variety and excitement to the game.
  • For a shorter game, spell out “P-I-G.”

After the game, talk about how your family demonstrated good sportsmanship.

If you don’t have a basketball hoop near you, you can play in the house with a trashcan and some wadded paper balls.

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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