Win or Learn Lesson Plan Win or Learn:
Sportsmanship!
Lesson Plan
3rd Grade
30 Minutes
WHY THIS MATTERS
Understanding and practicing sportsmanship helps students develop empathy, respect, and resilience. These are crucial social-emotional skills that translate from the playground to the classroom and beyond, fostering a positive and inclusive school culture.
OBJECTIVES
Define sportsmanship in their own words.
Identify examples of good vs. poor sportsmanship.
Practice positive behaviors in game scenarios.
PREPARATION
Review the Slide Deck content.
Print and cut Scenario Cards.
Prepare chart paper and markers.
MATERIALS CHECKLIST
Sportsmanship Slide Deck
Scenario Cards (Cut Out)
Sports Survey (Warm-Up)
Journal Prompt Handout
Sportsmanship Pledge
Challenge Game Guide
THE GAME PLAN
5
Minutes
Introduction: What is Sportsmanship?
Warm-Up: Pass out the Sports Survey. Give students a moment to think about their feelings on winning and losing.
Opening Discussion: Use Slides 1-2. Ask: "What does sportsmanship mean to you?" Record ideas on the board. Focus on words like fairness, kindness, and respect.
10
Minutes
Exploring Good vs. Poor Sportsmanship
Visual Comparison: Present Slides 3-5. Discuss why specific actions (shaking hands vs. arguing with refs) impact the fun for everyone.
Scenario Sorters: Hand out the Scenario Cards to small groups. Students discuss if the card shows "Good" or "Poor" behavior. Ask: "How would you feel if you were the opponent in this scenario?"
10
Minutes
Modeling Positive Behaviors
Group Share: Groups share their scenarios. Use Slides 6-7 to reinforce "Win or Learn."
Active Practice: Play the Sportsmanship Challenge Game. Have students role-play the "Good Sportsmanship" version of scenarios. Focus on body language and specific encouraging phrases (e.g., "Good try!", "Awesome move!").
5
Minutes
Wrap-Up & Reflection
The Pledge: Have students sign their Sportsmanship Pledge cards. Make it a celebratory moment!
Extension: Assign the Journal Prompt for students to reflect on a personal experience where they had to choose good sportsmanship.
Win or Learn Presentation Slides Game Time!
Win or Learn:
Sportsmanship!
Playing Fair, Being Kind, and Rocking Every Game!
What is Sportsmanship?
It's how you act when you play games and sports.
It's about being fair, kind, and respectful to everyone involved!
Good Sportsmanship looks like...
Shaking hands before and after a game
Cheering for your teammates and opponents
Playing by the rules every time
Being a "good winner" (no bragging!)
Poor Sportsmanship looks like...
Arguing with the referee or players
Cheating or breaking the rules
Blaming others or throwing tantrums
Bragging when you win
Sportsmanship Detectives!
Let's put our detective hats on! We'll look at different situations and decide if they show good or poor sportsmanship.
Remember: Win or Learn!
Have Fun!
Work as a Team!
Do Your Best!
And learn, no matter the score!
Sportsmanship Everywhere!
It isn't just for sports! You can show it in:
Group Projects
Board Games at Home
During Recess
Sharing Toys
Sports Survey Warm Up Name:
Date:
Warm-Up Activity
Sports Survey!
Welcome, Superstars!
Let's get our brains warmed up with a quick survey about games and fairness. There are no wrong answers!
1
What's your favorite game to play?
(Think about board games, video games, sports, or playground games!)
Reason:
2
How do you feel when you win a game?
3
How do you feel when you lose a game?
4
What does it mean to play "fairly"? Sportsmanship Scenario Cards Scenario Cards
Win or Learn: Sportsmanship!
Print and Cut
Card 1
During a soccer game, a player on the losing team trips and falls. A player from the winning team stops playing to help them up and asks if they are okay.
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 2
A student wins a board game and shouts, "Ha! I knew I was going to win! You guys are terrible players!"
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 3
Two friends are playing a video game. One friend keeps pausing the game and complaining that the other friend is using unfair tactics, even though they are playing by the rules.
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 4
In a classroom spelling bee, a student mispronounces a word and is out. They clap for the remaining students and say, "Good luck everyone!"
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 5
During a relay race at recess, one student sees their team falling behind. They decide to cut across the field to make their team win.
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 6
After a close basketball game, both teams line up and high-five each other, saying "Good game!"
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 7
During a group art project, one student takes all the best colored markers for themselves and refuses to share with their teammates.
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 8
A student loses a game of checkers and immediately congratulates their opponent, saying "Good game! You played really well!"
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Card 9
During a classroom debate, a student disagrees with another student's idea and starts to make silly faces and interrupt them.
Discussion Point:
Is this good or poor sportsmanship? Why?
Create your own scenario here!
Sportsmanship Journal Prompt Name:
Date:
Reflection Time
Sportsmanship Journal
My Pledge & Reflection
Think about what we discussed today. In your journal, write about a time you showed good sportsmanship or a time you saw someone else show it.
Or, imagine a situation where it might be hard to show good sportsmanship, and write about what you would do.
My Sportsmanship Reflection: Sportsmanship Cool Down Pledge Cool-Down Activity
My Sportsmanship
Pledge
I, ________________________,
"I will remember that win or lose, I can always choose to be respectful and kind."
ONE THING I LEARNED TODAY: Sportsmanship Challenge Game Guide Sportsmanship
Challenge Game!
Active Role-Play Guide
OBJECTIVE
Students will practice showing good sportsmanship by role-playing positive responses to challenging playground and game-time situations.
MATERIALS
Scenario Cards (from this lesson)
Small groups (2-3 students)
Open space for role-playing
How to Play
1
Form Teams: Divide the class into small groups of 2-3 students.
2
Draw a Card: Each group draws one Sportsmanship Scenario Card.
3
Brainstorm: Groups discuss the scenario and decide how they would act to show good sportsmanship in that situation.
4
Role Play! Groups act out their scenario for the class, demonstrating the positive behavior they discussed.
Discussion Questions
"What good sportsmanship did you see?"
"How did that make the other player feel?"
"What else could they have said or done?"
Game Rules
Be creative and kind!
Everyone gets a chance to act.
Applaud and encourage all groups!
Pro-Tip: Encourage students to focus on facial expressions and tone of voice!
