March is right around the corner, bringing with it March Madness. Even if you're not a basketball fan, there are sure to be young sports enthusiasts in your classroom. As March Madness approaches, so does Read Across America Week. While we're gearing up for basketball excitement, let's use that energy to promote reading in the classroom! Why not pair their sports enthusiasm and reading with a themed basketball classroom transformation, complete with a book championship bracket! Ready to transform your classroom? Read on to learn how to bring the basketball court to life!
March Madness Classroom Style!
This basketball classroom transformation has all of the resources you need to plan an exciting basketball transformation. Glance at the schedule below, then use the links to head directly to each section.
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Plan & Prep
To get your basketball transformation off to a stunning start, prep and/or send home some materials a week or so before hand.
1. Home Note
Letting families know about the upcoming sporty fun can help them prepare their child for the special day. Perhaps some students will want to wear a jersey or the colors of their favorite team. Asking families for snack item donations can lower the cost and simplify your prep.
2. Basketball Themed Signs & Checklist
One of the easiest ways to manage a classroom transformation is through the use of centers. Allowing students to rotate through activities eliminates the rushing towards or worrying about being able to partake in a favorite activity…everyone gets a turn to complete each center!
3. Certificate & Brag Tags
Wrap up the day with a certificate and brag tag that will make every student feel like an MVP.
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All Access Member? Download Free: Brag Tags & Certificates
Decoration Ideas
Although not necessary, adding a few decorations to your classroom transformation can make it a fully immersive, core memory-making type of a day! Our basketball transformation pack includes tons of printable decor ideas! Here are a few printable and purchase-able ideas!
1. Book Madness Bracket & Banner
The focal point of your basketball classroom transformation will probably be your Book Madness bracket. A few tips on a successful Book Madness tournament:
Need book recommendations? Our list of recommendations are part of the bracket download!
2. Autofill Jerseys
Students will love these personalized basketball jerseys! String them across the classroom for an extra special touch.
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3. Crafted or Brought from Home
Even More Decor…
For even more decor ideas, check out this list on All Access.
Snack Ideas
Feed your young athletes these creative basketball themed eats. (Bonus idea: create basketball themed snack plates using orange paper plates and a sharpie!)
1. Cheese Ball Cups
Either order basketball themed cups, or create your own. Score some baskets by filling them with cheese balls!
2. Referee Water Bottles
There will be no flag on the play if you dress up water bottles as referees!
3. Basketball Peach Cups
Peach cups + a sharpie make an easy sporty and sweet snack.
Morning Work
“Tipoff” the school day with this basketball themed placemat. Having a focused activity keeps your students calm and focused when they enter the classroom on basketball day!
Literacy
The Basketball Classroom Transformation not only includes a reading lesson, but also small group plans and prepped centers. Let’s break this category down.
1. Reading Lesson
Read, “The Salt in His Shoes” by Deloris & Roslyn Jordan. With themes of basketball and perseverance, this book teaches valuable lessons and is a fun read!
Or, follow along on YouTube.
Follow up the book lesson with comprehension worksheets that touch on a range of skills.
2. Small Reading Groups
Meet with small groups for a more in depth study of basketball with one of these reading passages, each focusing on the history of the game, or a famous player. Differentiate these groups by varying the skills focused on or the level of independent work.
3. Literacy Centers
While you are meeting with small groups, what is the rest of the class doing? Rotate your students through centers to keep them engaged and learning. The centers featured in this transformation pack focus on compound words, long U patterns, verb tenses and syllable types.
Ready to transform your classroom to a basketball court? Find everything you need below!
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Trashketball Brain Break
Trashketball is a fun twist on basketball, often used as test prep or skill review. Bonus: this game can be played using materials readily available in the classroom.
Materials needed:
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Students line up (or form teams) to answer review questions. A correct answer scores them a chance at a trashketball free throw shot. Students adore this game, and will want to play all day! (They will forget they are learning!)
Math
We couldn't leave your math block out of the basketball plans! With digital and printable math resources, your math lesson will score big points with your students.
1. Math Lesson
Take your pick from subtraction within 20 or 3-digit addition digital teaching slides. As your class works together to solve the word problems, they will be engaged with a step-by-step directed drawing.
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2. Math Centers
Your students will enjoy review math skills with these basketball themed centers focusing on:
- Digital & analog clocks
- Building with cubes
- Place value
- Additional worksheets
Science & Social Studies
With so many activities to choose from, we know you cannot fit all this basketball fun into one day. Try spreading these Science, Social Studies and SEL activities throughout a week or two…lesson plans done!
Science
Try this Science lesson to incorporate a hands-on STEM project.
Basketball Hoop STEM
This STEM project turns your students into engineers as they build their own basketball hoops.
Materials Needed:
- Markers, stickers or other coloring supplies
Follow the directions included in the transformation pack for a successful STEM project.
Social Studies
Tap into your students' love of sports with a study of popular sports around the world. Using digital teaching slides, this lesson will grab student attention with the vibrant images…plus the fun facts!
Want more more basketball themed fun? Check out the resources for Social Emotional Learning or QR Code Videos.
I am the GOAT Writing
Have your students tap into their self confidence with the, “I am the G.O.A.T.” craftivity. These projects make an excellent hallway display, as well.
Behavior Management
Use this basketball court scoreboard tool to reinforce positive student behaviors, and build on teamwork skills.
Bonus tip: Project this behavior board for even easier management.
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Read Across America Week Ideas
March is not only the time for March Madness, but also Read Across America week. Join Katie, from Team Lucky Little Learners, as she shares our team's favorite activities for this exciting week.
Interested in additional Classroom Transformations?
Check out these fun themes!
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