Sports can be both the teacher and the exam for integrity. If our students learn the importance of integrity while playing gaga ball, or traditional dodgeball, then they are more likely to act with integrity in that situation and many others. Integrity works like a muscle. It can be built and strengthened over time. It is the part of our character that guides us to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Key Topics:
gaga ball, dodgeball, dodge ball, Israel, Jerusalem, integrity, right and wrong, honesty, truth-telling, gratitude, respect

Perseverance is the trait that helps us to achieve really big goals, like completing the Ironman race in Hawaii. The Ironman is a triathlon, meaning the participants run, swim, and bike during different parts of the event. It takes a lot of perseverance to complete a challenge that big, but it also takes perseverance to do things like building with a complicated Lego set. Like building with Legos, building perseverance is something we have to do one step at a time.

Key Topics:
Ironman, marathon, running, swimming, cycling, biking, Hawaii, perseverance, giving your best, goals, goal-setting, encouragement, daily practice

Whether the goal is eating delicious chocolate chip cookies or winning a gold medal in swimming, all goals require preparation. For the cookies, we have to gather ingredients, mix them together, and let them bake. For the gold medal, we have to develop a plan to practice every day to get ready for the big event. No matter the goal, preparation is a must. When we get ready to give our best before the big day, we'll be in a position to actually give our best at the big moment.

Key Topics:
preparation, swimming, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Katie Ledecky, Summer Olympics, responsibility, trustworthiness, getting ready, goals

For American Ninja Warrior, players race the clock to complete an extremely challenging obstacle course that is suspended over a pool of ice cold water. The person who completes the course with the best time wins the race. In a solo sport like this, it would seem natural for the players to keep to themselves. But they do just the opposite. Competitors cheer each other on, provide tips for completing the course, and even train together. Instead of ignoring or discouraging their opponents, the ninjas encourage them. That encouragement helps each of them to give their best.

Key Topics:
obstacle course, ninja, Las Vegas, Nevada, America, competition, race, facing fears, encouragement, relationship skills, friendship, giving your best, helping others

The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is one of the top universities in the country. Students who graduate from there use their talents, skills, and physical fitness, to ensure that our country remains safe and awesome. But joining the military isn't even close to the only way to show love and commitment to our country and fellow citizens. For example, when we share with others what our favorite things are about America, that's a form of patriotism. In big ways and small, we can all show how proud we are to live in the United States.

Key Topics:
patriotism, fitness, Colorado, citizenship, self awareness, physical activity, exercise, United States, military, appreciation, gratitude

Boldness, courage, and bravery are traits that all boil down to the same concept: being willing to go first. We often think of first responders like emergency medical techs, firefighters, and police. Or we think of the men and women serving in the military. But society’s need for bold people to do dangerous and important roles isn't the only reason that going first matters.

People get really passionate about things that they like and identify with, and that passion inspires loyalty. Whether we're talking about candy, sports, or cities, people are loyal to their team. And no one exemplifies loyalty better than team mascots. These costume-wearing entertainers are fantastic athletes in their own right, but they use their talents and energy to encourage others to support their team. Win or lose, rain or shine, mascots are there to support their team, no matter what.

When someone else's best is different from our best, it can be easy to become discouraged that we aren't as good or to become arrogant if we see ourselves as better than others. Either way, the easy route is not the respectful route. Respect means being thankful for our teammates and their skills. That means being thankful for their differences from us. If someone else on our team is faster, stronger, or smarter than we are, that's a good thing! It means our team has a mixture of skills and abilities that will help us all achieve our best.

Sports are a great way to build relationships with other people because they encourage important social skills like compassion, empathy, and kindness. Empathy means understanding and caring about another person's feelings. When we comfort a friend after they lose a game because we know what it feels like to lose, we're expressing empathy. Sports like pickleball, which focuses on accessibility for players of all levels, are great for fostering empathy.