FANTASY FOOTBALL IN THE CLASSROOM IGNITING STUDENTS DESIRE TO LEARN
The Process
Pregame for Teachers Create your league @ nfl.com Set your league parameters Invite students to join (one per team using their team name as email) Instruct students to set up their team with logo photo on nfl. com Determine and set draft date Guest speaker
Pregame for Students Research How to Play FANTASY FOOTBALL. Create teams based on skill level (GURU, ARTIST, TECHNOLOGY) Create name and design logo Create Twitter handle (Social Media Coordinator) Create team email address Create team web page
Logos
Logos
Students Research Players/Positions Students are provided links for NFL Fantasy Football espn.com (search fantasy) nlf.com (search fantasy) 8 players deep per draftable position Two weeks for research Create account on NFL.com join the GrahamGoodLeague by email request upload logo download NFL app (optional) Research players for draftable positions (quarterback, wide receiver (2), tight end, running back (2), kicker, defense. Draft is 15 rounds.
The Draft Teacher: Set draft date, style and time on NFL.com Two weeks into the semester, use long class period (85 minutes) Students: Dress up At least one list per team, 8 players deep per draftable position Pay attention! Cross off people who are picked by another team Social media coordinator tweets your draft results in real time Decide who is responsible for trades/roster decisions
The Work Load
Projects and Assignments BEFORE the DRAFT: Create team name and design logo Write team mission statement Write team code of conduct First article about any player on team (must select different players) Website fully developed with roster, schedule, and section for weekly articles
Projects and Assignments AFTER the DRAFT: First article about any player on team (must select different players) Weekly articles. Every student writes and every student puts online (the good, the bad, the ugly) Human interest story about any player on team (must format like magazine) Maintain social media updates (3 tweets per week) Player comparison or stats infographic Player cartoon Advertisement for website (G rated)
Projects and Assignments ONGOING: Class discussions and debates (hot NFL topics) Sports Illustrated Underdogs series discussions ESPN s 30 for 30 discussions/analysis NFL s Undrafted discussions Careers in sports research
Technology Used MacBook Pro Canvas Learning Management System web development (wix, weebly, google sites, web creator, etc) graphic design programs (illustrator, photoshop, google draw, others) infographic design (piktochart, canva, google draw, photoshop) smart device for NFL app and social media cameras (smart device or regular) garageband imovie
Partnering Potentials Local sports expert Local business people (marketing, PR, legal, etc) Fellow teachers Former students Small businesses/school partnerships
Social Media Coorindators #grahamgoodleague
Player Cartoon
Bonus Cartoon Because My Students ROCK!
Player Infographic
Player Infographic
Player Infographic
Player Infographic
Halftime Ensure websites are up-to-date All articles are complete and online Discuss any issues with teams/trades/players Ask students what skills they feel they have enhanced Make sure the football wall has all team records accurately displayed
It Works! Sports literature was a course I would have never expected to be offered at my school, but I couldn't have been happier. It gave kids a chance to have fun with literature, rather than the standard British Lit and World Lit. Our class was full regularly, as students actually wanted to show up and become engaged in all of the activities. My friends and acquaintances were very envious that I was able to get into the course while they did not even know it was offered. As an aspiring sports journalist, this class was right up my alley. Mrs. Graham encouraged me to create a Twitter account to practice breaking news, start discussions, and inform followers as current sports journalists do in today's social media world. This, along with the creative, beneficial assignments and projects helped prepare me for the world I am soon going to enter. But this class was certainly not just for the sports nerds. Students with moderate or hardly any interest in sports were fully engaged and were eager to participate in the activities Mrs. Graham presented us. This course needs to be offered in high schools because students show up everyday, be excited to learn and be taught important skills that can be translated into any field of literature, not just sports. - Jordan Rodenberger, baseball and basketball player, WVHS class of 2014
It Works! I would most DEFINITELY recommend this class to other students because what could be more fun than a sports class? I love the way you taught it. It wasn't just a class about sports, but we also learned a lot from it like attitude, character, leadership, and sportsmanship. -Kassi Graves, hockey player
Postgame Check all websites for 16 articles and all other components Reward winning team with bonus points Discuss skills learned and/or enhanced throughout the semester Discuss pros and cons of playing Fantasy Football in the Classroom
Thank you! wendi.graham@k12northstar.org