I have always been a massive basketball fan. Living near Lawrence, Kansas nearly all of my life has always made the ever presence of the Jayhawks in March impossible to avoid! It always feels like the first four big days of the tournament head into our spring break. However, with us headed back to school on March 18th, I'm excited to bracket literally everything, to give me moments of competitive joy when there are no active games being played.
Whether or not you're a basketball fan, this iconic college basketball tournament offers a fantastic opportunity to engage with students on a whole different level. Here's a step-by-step guide for making March a little less mad and a lot more fun in your classroom!
One of the things I highly suggest is checking out the book The Final Four of Everything. If you are struggling to find or come up with good ideas, this is certain to spark some ideas, discussions and debate! If you want to embrace the madness, here are my suggestions!
1. Build the Hype:
Start by building some excitement. Talk about what March Madness is, especially for students who might not be familiar with it. Share some history about the tournament, highlight the underdog stories, and the excitement surrounding it. Maybe even play a quick highlight reel to kick things off!
2. Create a Bracket:
What Is It? Educate your students on how brackets work. They are the cornerstone of the March Madness experience, after all!
Making It Educational: Instead of basketball teams, use the bracket format for a subject-related tournament. For example, a "Book Bracket" for English class, or a "Historical Figures Bracket" for Social Studies.
Inclusivity: Make sure that everyone can participate. Tailor the content to ensure that it’s accessible to all students and related to what they're learning.
3. Integrate Subject Matter:
Use the bracket as a way to dive deeper into curriculum-related material. When comparing "competitors," have students do research, write persuasive essays, or present arguments about why one should advance over another.
For mathematics, let's calculate statistics, probabilities of bracket outcomes, or analyze the numerical patterns and trends within the tournament itself.
4. Decorate the Classroom:
Bring that tournament atmosphere into the classroom with some creative decorating. Post the updated bracket on the wall, use basketball-themed décor, or put up posters of famous basketball quotes that can double as life lessons.
5. Hold Mock Games or Debates:
Emulate the competitive spirit of the games by hosting debates, quizzes, or mock competitions where students accumulate points for their 'team' in the bracket.
6. Foster Teamwork:
Group students into 'teams' to represent a book, character, historical figure, math concept, etc.
Encourage teamwork with collaborative assignments or projects that require group strategy to advance in the bracket.
7. Emphasize Good Sportsmanship:
Highlight the importance of respect, perseverance, and camaraderie, just like in sports.
Discuss what it means to win gracefully and cope constructively with loss.
8. Connect with Technology:
Use online tools and platforms to create digital brackets. Have students make predictions, track progress, and maybe even engage with other classrooms around the world. I love challonge, and it is easy to set up and share!
9. Incorporate Physical Activity:
Take a break from academic work with some basketball-themed physical activities to get the students moving. This could be a friendly shootout, dribbling relays, or simple coordination exercises.
10. Celebrate Learning:
Regardless of what 'team' advances in your educational bracket, ensure that the process celebrates learning and student engagement.
11. Reflection:
After the madness is over, have a reflection session. What did the students learn? Did they enjoy the method? How could it be improved for next year?
Final Thought:
By embracing "March Madness" in your classroom, you're not just creating a theme for the month; you're creating a captivating learning environment. And remember, it's not about basketball—it's about bringing out the passion and competitive spirit in all our students in a fun, educational way! Let the games begin, educators!
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