Boys Town Skill of the Week
Accepting Winning
Accepting Winning Appropriately
Why gracefully? Because this is where a person shows their depth of character and our reputation in life. It's been said competition doesn't build character, it reveals it. How do we want to be remembered?
Our students are surrounded by media and are often exposed to images of sports celebrities. Unfortunately, some of these celebrities are as famous for talking smack and taunting opponents as they are for their athletic accomplishments. These athletes are role models, but too often their behaviors are not what you want your students to emulate in the classroom, on the playground, or on the field. The skill of "Accepting Winning Appropriately" can help counter the many unsportsmanlike messages young people see and hear.
Planned Teaching
- Have students talk about a time they have won a game and what it felt like.
- How do they think the other person/team felt when they lost?
Describe the Appropriate Behavior
- Look at the person or members of the team who lost (eye contact shows respect, don't stare down or ignore your opponent).
- Remain pleasant but not overly happy or celebratory (when celebrating a victory, it's ok to congratulate your teammates with smiles, high fives, pats on the back, hugs, etc. but don't show off, gloat, or taunt the losing team or player).
- Congratulate the other person or team for a good game and for trying (sound sincere, don't mumble, say something like "great effort" or "good game".
- Do not brag or boast about winning.
Give a Reason or Rationale
- Being a gracious winner is sometimes difficult, especially after beating a bitter rival or winning a highly emotional or competitive match. It's hard to be humble when you put forth a great effort or are on a winning streak. Real winners, however, do not gloat or belittle their competition. Instead they demonstrate good sportsmanship and maturity by applauding their competitor's efforts. Knowing how to win graciously has many benefits:
- Winning graciously can help you maintain friendships and relationships.
- Gloating and bragging is not appreciated by others and can hurt friendships.
- Other teams, players, coaches, and officials will form a good opinion of you, your team, and your school.
- Others will want you on their team or will want to compete against you because of your positive attitude.
- Winning graciously show respect for the hard work and effort of your opponent.
Practice the Skill
- Physical education games/Board games - praise students when they display good sportsmanship
- Quote of the day - discuss the meaning of various quotes on winning and good sportsmanship - for example: "In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more than that too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness, and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don't win, how can you lose?" ~Jesse Owens
Role Play
- Your soccer team is ahead by two goals when the recess bell rings, so your team wins the match. Following the steps of the skill, show how to celebrate the victory.
- You have just beaten the defending spelling bee champion. She is visibly sad and upset. Show how to be a gracious winner.
- You participate in the school's writing contest and are the winner. Everyone claps and tells you what a great job you did. Show how to appropriately accept their praise.
- You earned the highest score on a math test. How do you accept this graciously?
- Your basketball team scores a basket at the buzzer to win the game. You and your teammates celebrate wildly. Show how to enjoy the victory while being respectful to the losing team.
- You just beat your rival in a tennis match. Describe behaviors that show poor sportsmanship, and then show how to be a gracious winner.
Journaling
- How does winning make you feel?
- What can you say or do to show that you are a good sport after winning a game or contest?
- How can the skill of "Accepting Winning Appropriately" help you at school?
- How can the skill of "Accepting Winning Appropriately" help your team?
Feedback
- Be sure to frontload students with the expectations before a game or competition
- Praise specific steps followed and give feedback on areas of improvement. Let students know you will be watching in order to "catch them" using the skill
- Continue to praise and re-teach as needed
Read Alouds
Hether Darnell
Tech Academy @Pettit Park
Email: hdarnell@kokomo.k12.in.us
Website: http://leadyourheartout.blogspot.com/
Location: 901 W Havens St, Kokomo, IN, United States
Phone: 765-454-7075
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadyourheartout/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Twitter: @HetherDarnell