Celebrate sport and physical activity by planning activities at your school where all those wearing sneakers can participate.

Start the fun by tracing everyone's sneakers and putting information on them such as the person's name, age, favorite sport or physical activity. Then post the sneakers in the hallways to make a long chain around the school. Be sure to include the principa'’s sneakers as well as all of the teachers and school staff.

Suggested Activities   • Mass walk around the school, track or workplace   • Jump Rope for Heart event or Hoops for Heart   • Field Day   • Marathon Volleyball or Floor Hockey   • Physical Education Demonstrations   • Marathon Dances   • Table Tennis Tournaments   • Badminton, Bowling, Tennis and Racquetball tournaments   • Obstacle Courses   • Ball Handling Contests   • Double Dutch Event   • Activity Circuits

Sportsperson of the Day

Choose a student (or one boy and one girl) to be the sportsperson of the day by using sportsmanship characteristics. These characteristics can include: leadership, positive attitude, encouraging comments for teammates, respect, and responsibility. The chosen students receive special attention, awards and/or a sticker or nametag, which states they are the "Sportsperson of the Day."

In addition, encourage classroom teachers to choose a "Sportsperson of the Day" from viewing the students on the playground. Ask them to put this child's name on the board as recognition.

Sportsmanship Word Wall

Put words associated with sportsmanship on a poster or bulletin board. Discuss what sportsmanship is and how it helps in play. Allow the students to write additional words that they think illustrate sportsmanship on the sportsmanship poster OR place a long strip of paper on the wall for the students to add associated sportsmanship words.

Sportsmanship Pledge

Have students take the Sportsmanship pledge to be more responsible for their actions not only in sports and on the playing field but in everyday life as well.

Packy PlayFair's Pledge™

I agree to:  

F ollow the rules
A lways try my best
I nclude everyone
R espect my opponent  

And Have FUN!

Always Play Fair, LLC is dedicated to expanding the message of sportsmanship and fair play through lessons taught through its mascot, Packy PlayFair. Its mission is to develop education-based tools to improve sportsmanship worldwide. For more information, visit www.packyplayfair.com/packypledge.cfm or call 914-948-9797

Parental Involvement

Develop a flyer that says "sportsmanship is …." Have the students take this home to discuss with parents/guardians what sportsmanship looks like.

Elementary

Have students invent a game in which to participate with classmates. Rules for the game must include sportsmanship characteristics and should be demonstrated during participation of the activity. Have the students complete the statement, "To me, sportsmanship is…."

Middle/Secondary School

Have students and parents observe a sporting event and point out the positive and negative sportsmanship characteristics. Students should discuss these characteristics with parents and present to students in class through a presentation or written paper.

Resources:
http://www.packyplayfair.com/
http://www.momsteam.com
http://www.saferchild.org/sportsma.htm
http://life.familyeducation.com/sports/parenting/36484.html

NASPE Sport Resources

Visit www.naspeinfo.org and click on "Publications" to download the following position papers and resources:

• Coaching the Parents
• Estimated Probability of Competing in Athletics Beyond the High School Interscholastic Level
• Parents' and Coaches" Guide to Dehydration and Other Heat Illness in Children
• Guidelines for After School Physical Activity and Intramural Sport Programs
• Coaches Code of Conduct
• Sexual Harassment in Athletic Settings
• Choosing the Right Sport and Physical Activity Program for Your Child

Visit www.naspeinfo.org and click on the "online store" to purchase the following NASPE books on quality sport:

• National Standards for Sport Coaches (2006)
• Coaching Issues and Dilemmas
• Coaching Education: Designing Quality Programs