Stadium Voices
Athletes, popular and unpopular alike, come and go, but their homes remain
somewhat constant. Dodger fans loved Ebbets Field, and Giants fans adored
the Polo Grounds. Today, Knicks fans flock to Madison Square Garden, and
Yankee fans revere the "House that Ruth Built." What makes
these locations so special? Students will begin to answer this question
after watching the NEW YORK VOICES special "New York Sports: Big
Shots and Bad Guys." As part of this unit, students will read excerpts
from famous novels and essays in hopes of understanding the feelings that
sports stadiums inspire. Finally, they will try to capture these emotions
and feelings in a tourist brochure that highlights the history, appeal
and importance of these buildings.
Grade Level:
Grades 6 to 8
Time Allotment:
- One class for introductions, reading and discussion
- One hour for viewing the video "New York Sports: Big Shots and
Bad Guys" from the NEW YORK VOICES series
- Two classes for poetry and writing reflections about the players and
owners
- Two to four classes for research and design of stadium brochures
- One class for presentations
Subject Matter:
History, Sports History, Literature, English
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Research information on the Internet.
- Understand why sports is so important to America.
- Read an excerpt from literature and summarize it
- Work cooperatively and collaboratively on a project.
Standards:
National Standards:
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 5 http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?
SubjectID=7&StandardID=5
Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process
MCREL THINKING AND REASONING, Level 4, Standard 2
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?
SubjectID=21&StandardID=2
Understands and applies basic principles of logic and reasoning
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 8
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?
SubjectID=7&StandardID=8
Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 9
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?
SubjectID=7&StandardID=9
Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual
media
MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 2
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?
SubjectID=19&StandardID=2
Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs.
MCREL WORKING WITH OTHERS, Level 4, Standard 1
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?
SubjectID=22&StandardID=1
Contributes to the overall effort of a group
This lesson was prepared by: Anna Chan Rekate
