Gabe is a hockey player whose lucky number is 22, the same number as her hero, Hayley Wickenheiser. But her new jersey is #9. She is crushed. Gabe’s grandmother explains that the #9 was the retired number of Rocket Richard, Gordie Howe, bobby Hull, etc. and that #99 was Gretsky’s number. Gabe is reconciled, and dreams of her own retired #9.

Roy MacGegor, Tundra books, ©2014. 978-1-77049-573

A School Sports Survey

It’s worthwhile setting up an Inquiry about what sports are being played by students in your class, and potentially the whole school. Picture your students out there interviewing fellow students, learning the math of it, thinking about the questions they want answered so that they collect the best information to answer their questions.

Here’s a really simple question they might want an answer to: What are the most common sports played outside of school? Compare males to females and primary students (K-4), intermediate students (5-7), or middle school students (5-9) if that is how you are organized. Students learning percentage calculation can do the math as well for their results. Report results in a school announcement, in a school newsletter, and on your class blog so that they receive the maximum publicity for their results. The School Board may also be interested in knowing the kinds of organized athletic activities students participate in outside of school hours.

Students should first survey their own class, to become familiar with the form, as well as how to tally and use the results. In a single class, if it is a split grade, you can have four categories – male and female for each of the grades. Then, assign them in teams to fan out at recess and lunch and collect results. Teach them polite survey methods: “Will you please help our class with a survey? It will only take a few seconds.” Ask students to read it to students who look like they may have trouble (ESL students, or primary students). Students carry a book to balance the survey on, and a pen to write with. At the end, “Thank you. We’re going to announce the results over the PA.”

A Discussion About Hockey

There are many discussion questions that can arise from this book:

1. Why are hockey organizations reluctant to have mixed male and female teams?
2. What is our opinion of violence in hockey? Especially now that we are finding that even one concussion can cause permanent brain damage.
3. How will global warming effect hockey?
4. When the kids say, “Hayley, Number 9” is that bullying? When does teasing cross over into bullying?
5. Why are fewer Canadian parents signing their kids up for hockey?

Below are some of the reasons parents give for the decline in the percentage of Canadian youth enrolling in hockey. See what your students think.

Some Reasons Given for the Decline in Hockey Enrollment

• New immigrants from warm countries have little experience of it.
• Warmer winters make it harder to create home-made rink by simply flooding a field.
• The equipment is very expensive.
• Parents do not approve of body checking as it likely to cause brain damage.
• Parents do not want to pay for expensive dental work to repair broken teeth.
• Parents do not like the attitude of “hockey parents.”
• The professional games are too expensive.
• Rink times for less elite players are often at ridiculous times of the day.
• The skill of teams have been diluted by opening up so many franchises.
• Players are being encouraged to actually injure other players.

Hockey Songs

Two hockey songs could be played while using this book:

• The Hockey Song by Jughead
• The Hockey Song by Stompin’ Tom Connors

There are a few others, but these are kid friendly.

For 9 creative writing ideas, click The Highest Number in the World to download.