Exposure is a limiting factor for a student's ability to enjoy a sport. I might see this the most with a sport like indoor hockey. There always seems to be one or two students who play hockey outside of school in some type of private league, and they love playing it and are the most skilled during that PE lesson. Then some students use their athleticism to make up for the lack of expertise with the equipment, and they still have a lot of fun. Then there is a large contingency of students who barely get to hit or touch the puck. Obviously, they are not having as much fun. My only real solution was to make more games with fewer players per game, increasing the chance of getting the ball and being an essential game member. In this version of hockey, there will be many opportunities to hit the ball and shoot at a goal, increasing the likelihood of all students enjoying this game and other hockey games in the future.

One of the hallmarks of lower and upper elementary students is the demand for fairness. Even during recess games, students will play by the "official rules," whether it's a collection of rules they created or a student or adult acting as a ref.
This demand for fair play is one of the reasons Government Hockey is so dynamic. Each team plays with different scoring systems that represent the style of the government. It is one thing to explain the differences between a government versus playing a game that demonstrates those differences in a competitive game. This game is open-ended and does not emphasize one government system over another. Each has its strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. Most people would argue that democracy is the most successful form of government. Still, in this game, it is not guaranteed it will win. This game will stimulate rich conversations on the pros and cons of each government style.

Materials: 

·      A soft hockey puck or dodgeball

·      At least one hockey stick per student

·      At least two mini-goals or cones can be used for goals

·      A large playing area (preferably a gym or asphalt)

·      Scoreboard (analog or digital)

·      Stopwatch or phone with clock

Minimum Number of Students Needed: You should have at least six (3V3) to play this game adequately.

Age: Upper Elementary and middle school