Hunger Games Training Days lesson plan

Developed by Natalie Gillis January 2013

The Hunger Games Training Days: Making literacy connections in phys ed class In The Hunger Games, the district tributes spend several days at the Training Centre developing physical skills and survival knowledge prior to entering the Hunger Games arena. Many of these training activities can be incorporated into the phys ed curriculum, providing an excellent opportunity to make connections with contemporary literature and physical fitness. Developing a collection of Training Days activities will encourage students to read or reread The Hunger Games for specific information relating to their task, and to seek out additional information online. Translating the activities from the novel into real life will require students to reflect on similarities and differences between the worlds, and deepen their awareness of the danger inherent in many of the activities described. Developing low-‐risk versions of the activities that are appropriate for the school setting and that use only the equipment available in the school, students will advance their creativity, teamwork and problem-‐solving skills. Hunger Games Training Days (Grades 9-‐12) Courses Healthy Active Living Education, Grades 9-‐12

(Also compatible with Grade 12 Recreation and Fitness Leadership) Time Frame 3 or more lessons

Overall Expectation(s)

Healthy Active Living Education, Grades 9-‐12: • Movement skills/principles: Demonstrate personal competence in

applying movement skills and principles. • Sport/game strategies: Demonstrate and apply knowledge of

guidelines and strategies that can enhance participation in recreation and sport activities.

• Participation: Participate in a balanced instructional program that includes a wide variety of physical activities that encourage lifetime participation.

• Safe practices: Demonstrate responsibility for personal safety and the safety of others.

• Social skills: Use appropriate social skills and positive attitudes to work effectively in groups.

Essential Questions

• What activities from The Hunger Games Training Days can we incorporate into our own Training Days event?

• What modifications do we need to make so the activities are safe, practical and fun?

Success Criteria

Healthy Active Living Education, Grades 9-‐12: • I understand and apply the movement principles, knowledge and

strategies required to competently execute all Training Days activities. • I participated in all Training Days activities to the best of my ability. • I understand the safety risks for my Training Days activity, took steps

to reduce them, and can explain safety protocols to my classmates. • I understand the safety risks in other group’s Training Days activities,

know what I should and shouldn’t do to be safe, and act accordingly. • I made positive contributions to my group and used appropriate

strategies to solve problems and resolve conflict.


Assessment Evidence/ Perf. Tasks

• Develop an appropriate Training Days activity. • Explain and demonstrate activity to class, including safety protocols. • Participate in Training Day activities developed by other students.

DI & subject integration

MI: Kinesthetic, linguistic, interpersonal, logical DI: manipulatives, movement, product choice Subjects: English

Learning Activities

Two or more weeks before lesson: • Poll class to see who has read The Hunger Games. Students who

haven’t read it should do so (provide copies as necessary). • Optional: Set time aside each week for discussion.

One week before lesson:

• Students re-‐read passages on Training Days (provide page numbers and The Hunger Games Wiki links).

• Students make notes on Training Days stations and begin thinking about how they could be incorporated into phys ed class. Optional: provide worksheet to guide thinking.

Day 1:

• As a class, brainstorm Training Days activities that could be adapted for phys ed class (fitness activities: archery, weightlifting, wrestling, spears, slingshots, obstacle course; outdoor ed activities: camouflage, edible plants, shelters, fire making, knots).

• Divide students into groups. Each group chooses one activity to develop into a station. Optional: provide worksheet to guide group thinking (equipment needs, movement principles, background knowledge, safety protocols, etc.).

Day 2:

• Groups present their activity, including demonstration, safety protocols, modifications (for safety/equipment/practicality reasons).

Day 3 and beyond:

• Students set-‐up activities as a circuit and rotate through stations. • One person from each group takes turns staffing each station to

provide instruction and monitor safety. Resources

• Copies of The Hunger Games, page numbers for Training Days passages

• The Hunger Games Training Days wiki links: http://thehungergames.wikia.com/wiki/Training_stations; http://thehungergames.wikia.com/wiki/Training_Center

• Optional Training Days worksheets to guide individual reflection during novel reading and to guide group activity development


Extensions • Have groups choose a district and come to class in costume. • Structure an entire unit or several units around various Training Days

activities, such as archery, survival (covers outdoor education components like orienteering, edible plants, shelter building, etc.) , then host Training Days integrating activities from the unit(s) (provides opportunity for review).

• Have students host Training Days for a younger phys ed class. • Start a book club that encourages students to read other books with

physical activity links; incorporate them into class activities. • Have students play The Hunger Games Tribute Trials

(http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/games/play.htm).

Documents

Hunger Games Training Days lesson plan