There are not many things I say more often when teaching than…
“After all… It’s just a game”
It’s even on of my most commonly used PE phrases as you can see below:
The reason that I emphasize this so often is to remind students about the importance of using good sportsmanship and making sure that they don’t get too worked up over winning and losing.
I do however think it’s extremely important to play games where students win and lose, otherwise they will never get a chance to learn how to win and lose correctly and I as a teacher will miss out on many teachable moments.
If we decide to never keep score, or never play games with winners and losers, then we are contributing to the “everyone gets a trophy” entitlement culture that so many young kids are a part of now days.
Instead of creating un-realistic expectations in the minds of our students about how they will always win and be successful at everything they attempt, lets teach them how to win and lose with good sportsmanship and treat the other team with respect no matter what the outcome of the game is.
As the old saying goes:
“an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
I’ve found this to be true in my experience teaching Physical Education. The longer you teach the more and more you will be able to predict which situations, activities or games are going to put students in situations where they will struggle to use good sportsmanship.
One of the most successful strategies I have found to prevent poor sportsmanship, is making sure to remind students about sportsmanship before gameplay, giving examples of poor sportsmanship and examples of good sportsmanship and then talking about students examples as I see them throughout the game.
Another great tool that I use at my school is an idea that originated from a PE Central post, it’s called the Good Sport Code.
This is just a statement that I have printed on a poster on the wall and anytime a class has trouble using good sportsmanship during a game, we immediately stop the gameplay and bring everyone over to the poster and recite the code together.
Check out the video below for an example:
So to Recap:
-
Prevention is a lot better than cure
-
Have reminder and expectations clearly posted for students to reference when needed
I have found that these two strategies have been very effective and helped to create a culture of sportsmanship and helped students to realize the importance of enjoying the gameplay no matter what the outcome of the game is.
I want to build a culture where my students celebrate Each Other no matter who wins
View this post on Instagram
You can check out an example of me giving my students a chance to “Practice Losing” before we play a game in the video below:
You can download a free copy of the Good Sportsmanship Code for your gym below:
The 2 Updated Versions Below:
The First Version of the Poster Below:
If you have any awesome strategies for ways to increase sportsmanship, hit me up on twitter @thePEspecialist I’d love to hear them!
Here’s a great example of good sportsmanship if you want to show a quick clip to your students as a conversation starter, this is a Little League Play Off Final and a great example of why it matters to be a Good Sport:
P.S. If you want my take on whether or not we should have winners and loser in PE Class, check out the video below:
robert kibler says
this shows us good sportmanships and how to not be mad at a game we play in gym after all it is just a game
Marcus says
Valuable skills to know and learn Robert!
Greg Houston says
Hey Dude! I’ve been teaching PE- Gym(ha ha) for 23 years 4-18 yes old over the years. I have used your resources more than anyone’s over the recent years. Thanks.
One thing I adapted this year is when things get or before they get crazy. I have the class go to the Midnight Moon. They walk to the big circle that takes up the entire center of the basketball court-side to side almost. They walk to that circle without talking and sit down facing into the middle. Then lay back close their eyes and focus on their breathing. I then can talk in a quiet calm manner about why we are on the “Midnight Moon”. Then we go back to what we were doing.
Marcus says
Great adaptation Greg!
Thanks for sharing!
Machelle Black says
Great!
Marcus says
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Machelle Black says
Can’t wait!
angus says
this was super informational thank you so much i already know what sportsmanship is but now i know more
Marcus says
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Tammy says
I started something new. When we start class we focus on learning targets. If we play a game in which we keep score. I write it on the board at the end and immediately cover it up with a piece of paper (held up with a magnet).
Then I ask the students “What is more important?” I point to the learning targets and the piece of paper hiding the score. They always agree that the learning targets are what is important. We de brief class- talking about growth and extending learning etc. Then I mention how keeping score during games can be motivating and fun. I reveal the score and we talk about what strategies the team that one used in order to have success.
Marcus says
Excellent idea Tammy!
Definitely using that strategy! Thanks for sharing!
What an awesome way to get students to find the benefit of moving rather than winning and losing!
Sheri McDowell says
I have a sportsmanship poster in my room as well. It really does work to read it before playing a game. I give examples to the specific game we are playing as to what good sportsmanship looks like.
Marcus says
Awesome Sheri!
The poster is a great way to teach sportsmanship skills! Skills students need as they grow!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
James Seitz says
Thank you!
What a great job you are doing!!
I’ve been a PE teacher for 21 years and was an Administrator for 4 more and I really respect what and how much you do.
Marcus Nellems says
Hey James!
Thank you for the kind words! Thank you for your service to your students! We appreciate teachers in the field!
Bridget Anne Eller says
Yes! I totally agree! Students need to be taught responsibility, to persevere and be resilient. Participating in the PE classroom is a great environment for learning about winning and losing at an early age. The only way you improve is by learning from your mistakes and using that education to help with future endeavors.
Ben Landers says
For sure! Gotta fail forward 🙂
jon says
Thank you for your helpful hints & creative thoughts!!
Ben Landers says
Sure thing – glad they were helpful!
Haiza says
I wish i would get first place in all games
Kathy Syrnyk says
Hi, I’m new to your site, and am loving what I’m seeing. It’s giving me so many great ideas and a new direction for the upcoming year. Thank you so much. For some reason, your download links for free copies do not open for me. Is there another way I can access the free downloads? Thanks so much for your time.
Ben Landers says
Sorry about the issue!
Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser caching issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers, clearing your cache and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.
As a another option you can also find some of our products on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Sus says
Thank you but There is no link to download the poster.
Ben Landers says
There’s a red download button at the bottom of the post
Greg says
Hello,
I tried to download the “Conflict Corner” and the “Good Sportsmanship Code” copies but for some reason it keeps loading. May I get your help on this issue?
Thank you!
Ben Landers says
Sorry about the issue
Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser caching issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers, clearing your cache and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.
As a another option you can also find some of our products on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Perri Shutts says
when I try to download the free updated posters above, it just spins forever and it never finishes?
Ben Landers says
Hey Rochelle, sorry about the issue, but it’s working on our end.
Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser caching issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers, clearing your cache and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.
As a another option you can also find this product on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Dennis Smith says
Thank you for your development of “The Good Sport Code”.
Ben Landers says
Sure thing – glad it’s helpful!
Veronica says
I could not agree with you more on this subject. I think you explained your opinion very well and made all very good points. It’s too bad our culture has made our children this way. I have Experienced this far too much and wondering how can you teach this when their parents are not backing this up at home.
LaShel Rowton says
You have awesome info!!!! Thanks!
Doug Robinson says
Great stuff! Thanks
Teri says
How do I get your free downloadable posters printed to bigger sizes (ones that you can’t print on a normal printer)? Just find a kinkos?
Ben Landers says
Yep, some folks have a poster printer at school or another school in their district – but if not I’d find somewhere like kinkos
SHARON CATER says
Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Trixie says
Is your 5th Graders students doing it too? Are you all participating ?
Thank you.
Ben Landers says
Yep, everyone participates 🙂
ohm says
Thank you so much for doing this because I needed it for my persuasive essey so I can prove that there should be more gym time.
Don Carl says
It is import to have a good sportsmanship when playing sport. And don’t forget to visit my blog http://doncarlsibugan.blogspot.com/