You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression ‘If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em’. Such is the way with football in our house. Football is a sacred institution in our house that one does not mess with. My husband is the commissioner of two fantasy football teams. And it wouldn’t suit the commissioner of such a lofty organization to not have a supportive wife–so yes, I have my own fantasy football team. (Which I then use to annihilate all the other men with which we play–but who’s keeping score?) The point is that Monday Night Football is as much a social institution in our home as is praying before we eat–it is simply done.
So that leaves me, the homeschooling mother, with a quandary. All good homeschooling mothers manage to turn the every day things of life into valuable lessons. This is simply what homeschooling moms do. Going to the grocery store to buy light bulbs becomes the perfect opportunity to study Thomas Edison. Dinner becomes an opportunity to study kitchen science. And Monday Night Football then becomes the opportunity to study. . .to study. . .well, you see my quandary.
Thankfully, not only is my husband a devoted football fan, but he’s helpful with homeschooling. Here are a list of suggestions that you can use along with the most academic pursuit of. . .Monday Night Football.
1. Literature
You can always read about famous sports heros. I personally am a Tiki Barber fan. Maybe it’s a twin thing or maybe it’s a New York thing–but I like that he spends so much of his off season giving back to the community. In any case, you can read By My Brother’s Side or Teamates for stories about the Barber brothers growing up.
2. Adding Positive and Negative Numbers
Keep tally of the total offensive yardage during the game. Generally, yardage is positive but sometimes teams earn negative yardage when their quarterbacks get sacked or when someone gets tackled for a loss. For you non-football saavy readers: Add the number of yards the ball goes forward or backwards for a particular team. They announce it after every play!
3. Geography & State Capitals
You can integrate geography easily. Consider keeping track of one team’s travels throughout the season. If you’re so inclined your homeschooler can do a little research on each destination. You can also learn state capitals based on where the big game is or you can track where the players from a particular team are from.
4. The Flying Blimp
Is football, really football without the flying blimp? Find out what makes that blimp fly anyways. Click here for a good history of flight.
5. Football Physics–Why Does the Football Spiral
A good football throw means that the football is spiraling through the air. Find out why the football spirals. Does the football go as far if you throw it side ways or straight without the spiral? Why?
6. Physical Fitness
To play football, athletes have to be in incredible shape. Create a physical fitness challenge for your kids. If you need ideas, check out the Presidential Fitness Challenge or the Go Healthy Challenge
7. Measurements
Football provides ample opportunity to talk about measurements. Consider making a note of all the measurements mentioned and then convert them to the metric system–this would likely be a good mental work out for your American students. If you’re wondering what measurements you might talk about. . .try the length of the football field, the length of a first down (10 yards), the stats of a football player (weight and height), and even the distance that the away teams traveled.
8. Physiology
I admit this suggestion has to be reserved for the older student who might be into medical things. But inherent to playing football are injuries. Take Ben Roethlisberger for instance. At the beginning of the season he got into a motorcycle accident without a helmet and there was lots of talk about “cranial fracture and injuries”. Then 15 days ago, he had an emergency appendectomy. Despite his recent bout of bad luck, he was throwing the football last night, all the while, commentators were conjecturing about what would happen if he got hit too hard. That’s just great fodder for talking about body parts–is it not?
9. Writing a Newspaper Article about the Game
Have your homeschooler practice his journalism skills by writing a “newspaper” article for the sports section.
10. Manage Your Own Fantasy Football Team
For an older student, consider having them sign up for their own fantasy football team. We use Yahoo! Fantasy Sports which is free. I would suggest getting together with some buddies so that you’re joining with people you know. If not, consider simply picking your own players and following their stats and calculating your own scores. The point? Excellent practice in statistics and analysis. (There is a page at yahoo that gives directions for scoring.)
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