Social Studies Field Trips

Image courtesy of US Postal Service

Activity One:

As you read Thayer's poem, "Casey at the Bat," write down your impressions of the major characters. Since there is little information describing them in the poem, stretch your imagination. The characters are:

• Casey

• Cooney

• Burrows

• Flynn

• Jimmy Blake

• The Pitcher

• The Umpire

• Connie

Activity Two:

Select one of the characters from the poem, "Casey at the Bat," and design a trading card for him. You may use the design of your favorite baseball card as a model. Make a list of information necessary to be included on your card as well as nice-to-know information. All necessary information should appear on the card. Nice-to-know information may or may not appear.

Format your paper like this graphic organizer:

Activity Three:

Now, using your completed list of impressions, pretend you are a casting director for a movie studio. Your job is to select TV and/or movie actors, or active baseball players, to portray the major characters in "Casey at the Bat" in a film. It is important to give reasons for your choices. You may do this activity with a friend. Use the following graphic organizer to record your choices and reasons.

Activity Four:

Write a sports page headline for the Mudville Times for the day after the game. Write a story to accompany the headline.

Activity Five:

My interview (the teacher) with you (the student). Please answer each of these interview questions for me:

1. Who is your favorite athlete?
   
   _______________________________________

2. What is the name of the team for which he/she plays?
   
   _______________________________________

3. Has he/she (or their team) won any special games, titles honors, or recognition in their sport?
   Yes ______ No _______

   If yes, what?
   
   _______________________________________
   
   _______________________________________

4. Why is he/she your favorite athlete?
   
   _______________________________________
   
   _______________________________________
   
   _______________________________________
   
   _______________________________________

5. Have any books or articles been written about your favorite athlete or the team for which he/she plays?
   Yes ______ No _______

   If yes, what are some of the titles and authors names? Seek help from the media specialist.
   
   _______________________________________
   
   _______________________________________

6. Does your favorite athlete have a nickname?
   Yes ______ No _______

   If so, what is the nickname?
   
   _______________________________________
   
   _______________________________________

Developed by Joyce Mealo, Woodfield E.S.
© Montgomery County Public Schools, 1996.