Using Sports Fiction in Physical Education

Summary
Researchers are suggesting that physical education teachers incorporate the reading of sport-based fiction and non-fiction books into their curriculum. The article refers to studies that have shown that using books other than textbooks that are relevant to physical education helps students make connections between their own lives and what they are learning in P.E. class, while encouraging literacy. One novel suggested in this article is In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (Lord, 1986), for its attempt at describing why baseball is America's favorite pastime, as wel as its importance to Japenese Americans during World War II. Sports fiction like In the Year utlilzes characters and situations that most youths can relate to in order address issues that are relevant in their lives, such as relationships with friends and family, sportsmanship, social pressures, and violence. Educators are urged to host book talks, where several books are described to the students to allow the to decide which ones interest them the most. In addition to reading these books, teachers should encourage students to reflect on the book and focus on a particular aspect, such as whether the sport is portrayed accurately in the story or what lesson the novel is trying to teach. By doing so, the student is more likely to engage in a discussion based on past experience and current beliefs with much opportunity for deep thought and critical thinking. The article also contains a sidebar comprised of 18 suggested readings about 8 different sports, and a brief description of each book.

Reflection
This article touches upon some excellent points. No matter what the subject matter, anything that encourages literacy, especially among children and young adults, is beneficial. Incorporating fiction and non-fiction into physical education class is a wonderful way to emphasize the multi-faceted image of sports, making it more appealing to a wider audience. It can also help encourage non-athletic youths to become more comfortable with the world of sport. Since most of these novels feature characters that the students can easily relate to, it is very likely that non-athletic students could decide to try a new sport just because it sounded appealing in a book. The storyline of the novel can help maintain their interest so they learn about a sport without feeling lost if they don't know all the details about how the game works. In contrast, students who are not interested in history or other subjects, but favor sports, may appreciate those subjects more after learning about them in relation to sports. Learning the historical and social aspects of a sports can also increase interest; yet the impact sports have had on society is not something that is taught in traditional physical education classes. Knowledge of this creates a whole new respect for sport, and could even help the athlete understand the game better and appreciate and enjoy it more. The discussion of the book is just as important as reading it, since it encourages the student to think about situations that could potentially arise in his or her own life and how they could deal with it in a positive manner. Participating in a discussion can promote growth, teamwork and cooperation by allowing the students to learn from each other and hear each other's thoughts and experiences.

The suggestion of including fiction and non-fiction reading materials in physical education classes is brilliant; however, this particular article doesn't mention whether the novels should be read in accordance with what is currently being taught in the physical aspect of class. The appreciation of both the sport and the book would most likely be most effective if the students were reading Hoops by Walter Dean (a story about a young African American boy who uses basketball as his ticket out of Harlem) while playing basketball during the class period. Using novels in physical education class to increase literacy and promote the interest in sport and its place in history will be an effective way to enlighten and educate all students in many aspects, and should certainly be considered by those in the education field.