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Free Lesson Plans for Teachers
Alpha Stage






The L.A. Times is running an article entitled,“A Very Stern
Reprimand.”

On Monday, the commissioner of the National Basketball
Association, David Stern, assessed fines and suspensions to players
on the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks in response to a
fight that occurred on Saturday night.

The article explains, "Stern sounded irritated that the league had not
learned from historic penalties issued after a fracas involving the
Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons two years ago."

The commissioner is quoted as saying, "Clearly we're not getting
through or players in certain circumstances don't want to be
restrained."

Read the Article!!


Discussion-Starters for Younger Children

  • Inquire if your students have ever gotten really mad at
    somebody with whom they were playing a game? Why?
  • Is it OK to get mad at somebody else? Why/why not?

  • Ask your students why fighting is bad. Why isn’t it OK to
    hit somebody if you get mad at him/her?
  • You might write a list of reasons that fighting is not
    acceptable on the board, as students suggest them.

  • Ask your students what they could do if they get really mad
    at somebody, instead of hitting them.
  • You could ask your students to create skits in
    response to this question.


Discussion-Starters for Older Children

  • Vocabulary Terms to Discuss: Brawl; Teleconference;
    Restraint; and, Endanger.

  • Should a fight that occurs at an NBA game be highlighted in
    a newsletter on important current events? Why/why not?

  • Is it appropriate for a team to have four starters on the court
    at the end of the game when they are ahead by more than ten
    points, or should every player on the team have a chance to
    play? Explain!
  • The above question could lead to an interesting class
    debate. On the other hand, you might ask students to
    write persuasive essays in response to the question.

  • Imagine that David Stern, the commissioner of major league
    basketball, asked for your advice as to how to stop fighting
    on the basketball court. What would you suggest? Why?
  • You might have students first consider the above
    question in groups. Then reconvene the entire class
    for a discussion.

  • Does this event indicate something that is more important
    than basketball? If so, what?
  • The article has a link to pictures of the brawl. Take a
    look at these pictures. Ask how your students would
    feel if they were sitting in the stands at the basketball
    game? Should David Stern have considered this
    question when he assigned penalties? Why/why not?

A Basketball Brawl
December 19, 2006
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