Violent assault and sports.

• Author: Sweeney, Lorine
• Position: School's In

To Teachers

Introduction

The sentences of hockey players Todd Bertuzzi, Marty McSorley, and female player Julia Tropea, along with Bruce King's article Criminal Violence Is Not Part of Sport in this edition of LAWNOW, provide context for further learning about physical fights in sports and how the law defines an assault. The lesson can also promote problem solving, thinking skills, and group discussions.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

* acquire information and understanding about assault causing bodily harm;

* articulate and respond to specific situations regarding assault in the context of sports;

* engage in active inquiry and in critical and creative thinking;

* record, reflect, and extend thinking by using a TALL thinking chart (see Note to Students);

* communicate point of view.

Lesson Options

Teachers can opt to allow group or individual work. Creating a TALL chart at the front of the class is an effective way to record all group answers.

Evaluation

Use a common rubric to evaluate group work and the articulation of group thoughts as students progress through the TALL chart.

To Students

Note: A TALL (Thoughts, Affirmations, Learning, Last Response) chart is used to record ideas and thoughts and to track changes in your thinking. Your teacher will have made a TALL chart for your recordings, or you may create your own chart following the design on the next page.

Activity One: Record What You Think You Know

In groups or as individuals, answer what you think you know about the following questions. Record your answers in the first column of the TALL chart, or put your answers on post notes and post them under the first column headings.

Questions

1. What is the legal definition of assault causing bodily harm?

2. In the context of assault causing bodily harm, what does the word intentionally mean?

3. Why is normal fighting in professional hockey not considered assault?

4. When is fighting in hockey considered assault?

5. Do you know of any cases where hockey players had to go to court for violence committed on the ice? Do you know what their sentences were? Do you agree with the sentences? Why or why not?

6. Do you think that those who fight excessively or deliberately injure someone in hockey should have a criminal record?

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Activity Two: Affirmations and New Learning

Part A

Read the following definitions and for questions 1 and 2, fill in columns two, three, and four in your chart.

Question one: What is the legal...