Good sport routine: a 15-minute sportsmanship lesson for 5th grade

1. Ask: "What does a good sport look like? What does a poor sport look like?" List both.
2. Teach the routine. Before the game: a handshake, fist bump or wave and "good luck." During: call your own fouls and cheer good plays on both teams. After: line up and give two specific compliments.
3. Role-play two tough moments: a close call that goes against you, and a teammate who makes a mistake. Students practice what to say.
4. Play the game for 8 to 10 minutes using the routine.
5. Each student writes one compliment for a classmate on a card and hands it over.
6. Discuss: "Which part of the routine took the most effort? Why does it matter?"

Safety: choose a game with light touches only and clear boundaries; students drink water before the reflection. Every session: warm up first, clear the space, keep water nearby, and stop if anything hurts or a student feels dizzy or unwell.

Differentiation: students who need support can use sentence starters on cards, such as "Nice pass, __." Students who are ready can act as referees who also hand out compliments. English learners can practice the phrases good game, nice try and my fault.

Quick check: ask a student what they would say after a teammate drops an important catch.

For a full year of free grade 5 PE sessions, see Move Every Day from UpOnly Learning.

How do you keep competitive games kind in your PE classes or co-op? Share a routine, a phrase or a rule that works for your students.