Slam Dunk News Bowl
Object of the Game: Score the most points in a designated period of 30-60 minutes similar to the game of
basketball.
Setting up the Game: Divide the class into two teams. Determine the order of play for members on each team.
The following visuals are optional to add interest and keep the game moving: game board with basketball, point chart, and scoreboard.
Teams can indicate ball possession and shot selection by movement of a magnetic basketball across the game board on a magnetic board.
A News Bowl grid with magnetic number pieces allows students to quickly see and select unused questions. A flip chart makes keeping
track of the score easy.
Tip Off: The first player from each team stands up. The teacher/referee asks a jump ball question based on local
news. Whichever player correctly answers first gains possession and places the ball on his/her side of the center line. The next
player on that team now stands, selects a question, and places the ball in the corresponding position for a free-throw, 2-pointer,
or 3-point shot.
How Points are Scored: News Bowl Weekly 10-point questions are used as free throws and scored as 1 point. 20-point
and 40-point News Bowl questions are figured as 2-point shots, while 80-pointers and bonus questions are 3-point shots.
What happens when a player misses a question? The opposing team has better rebounding position under the basket.
Therefore, when a shot is missed the next player on the opposing team has an opportunity to rebound first. If that player is correct,
he/she moves the ball just across the center line to show the new team has possession. The next member of his/her team then selects
a new question and moves the ball into its shooting position to continue the game.
What happens if the first rebounder misses? Then the next member of the original team has a chance to rebound.
Attempts to rebound continue back and forth between teams until the question is answered correctly. (Options: The teacher/referee
may give an additional clue after each rebound attempt. To keep everyone listening, only the original shooter may ask for the
question to be repeated or clarified.) If the rebound is brought down by a team member of the original shooter, that team
automatically gets 2 points, regardless of the type of original shot.
Ending the game: When class time is done, line the teams up for a “Good game!” sportsmanship handshake.