Looking for ideas to engage students in learning during COVID-19, or your kids at home? I’ve got you covered in my running series in the San Diego Union Tribune this week, where I include ideas for learning for STEM, Social Studies, and ELA using the NBA playoffs as the context. Links to lesson plans and resources are included below:
STEAM
Level 1
- Using art or graphic design, complete your own playoff bracket using the top 8 teams from the east and west described in this article.
- You can use Canva to explore graphic design or the bracket below.
- Work with an adult to explain how the averages for any of the statistics discussed in this article are computed.
- Who do you think should be given the title of MVP this year? Design a 2021 model shoe for that player using the Design Thinking Process. Draw your design idea below.
Level 2
- Pretend you are one of the NBA coaches-come up with a play and draw it out. Using geometry vocabulary and concepts describe all of the math that is in your drawing. Bonus: Research Phil Jackson’s famous “Triangle Offense”
- Based on the math that is typically involved in the NBA playoffs, What math should be considered to calculate who gets the title of the champion of the 2020 season, if the season were to be officially concluded in March?
- Is there a statistical correlation between the stats from categories shared in this article and the success of a given team in the playoffs? Defend your answer in a quick video and share it on Twitter using the hashtag #mathchat
Reading, Writing
Level 1
- Write a creative story of what would have happened in the 2020 playoffs if they happened as previously scheduled. You can even write a “Who Would Win” story. Story map your ideas first!
- Complete a venn diagram that compares and contrasts two NBA Playoffs from two different years, or two different teams from the current 16 mentioned in the article.
- Determine the two teams playing in game 7 of the 2020 NBA finals . Research the roster and determine the box score reflecting the end result of the game. Thing to include: points scored by quarter and individual performance stats
Level 2
- Write a Choose your Own Adventure story that explores alternate possibilities and endings for the 2020 playoffs. Story map your story arcs and endings before you start writing!
- Write an argumentative essay or editorial for who you believe should be titled the 2020 NBA champion.
- Compare and contrast two NBA Playoffs, for two different years, in a column for Hoop Magazine.
Social Studies
Level 1
- A historical figure is somebody who is defined as having changed history. Talk to you parents about who has made an impact in the NBA playoffs. Create player profiles of historical figures of the NBA playoffs.
- Create an infographic that tells the history of the NBA playoffs.
- Piktochart includes templates for infographics.
Level 2
- Oral tradition and the art of storytelling is important to history and our culture. To celebrate storytelling, create a multimedia story of those who you believe should be celebrated in the 2019/2020 season of the NBA.