Let's Make a World Series Almanac

Let's Make a World Series Almanac
Ellen Wilson: Sports and Popular Culture

Skill: Middle School
Time Required: Two to three class periods


Introduction:

President Woodrow Wilson was a serious fan of baseball, and played himself during his freshman year at Davidson College.  He was also the first President to attend a World Series. Ellen Wilson no doubt also engaged herself in her husband's enthusiasm, although it is unknown if she was well enough to attend any World Series while in the White House.

Objectives:

Students who participate in this lesson will learn a good deal about the World Series, baseball's final hoorah each fall, and something about creating an almanac, or particular kind of reference book.  This lesson might profitably be done in the fall, during the "baseball classic," but could be done at any time of year.

 

Materials Required:

Access to the Internet Baseball timeline link Access to books about baseball Copies of almanacs (Farmer's, etc.) Paper, art supplies, or publishing program

Procedures:

1.  As background, show students the definition of "almanac" on the website listed below.  The second definition reads:

   "a usually annual reference book, composed of various lists, tables, and often brief articles relating to a particular field or many general fields."

2.  During a whole-class discussion, ask students to decide which statistics about the World Series they think should be included in the almanac.  Students may want to browse the websites listed below to get some idea of what kinds of stats are available.

3.  Divide students into five groups.  Using the websites listed below, each group will be responsible for finding and recording statistics about the World Series for the following years:

  • 1903-1925
  • 1926-1945
  • 1946-1965
  • 1966-1985
  • 1986-2005

4.  When the statistics have been researched and recorded, each student should select one subject (game, player, annual Series, etc.) to be the subject of a short article, which should also be included in the almanac.

5.  Students should design and produce their almanac, including a cover, when all data has been collected and written.

 

Extending the Lesson:

The lesson could be extended by producing multiple copies of the almanac for distribution (or sale, for a worthy cause) to the rest of the school.

Sources & Resources:

Websites:

Credits:

This lesson was developed by Averil McClelland, Kent State University.

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