NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this bell ringer activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
From college stardom at Iowa to shattering attendance records and becoming a top financial driver for the WNBA, Caitlin Clark’s rise has also come with its fair share of controversy. Clark is in many ways just getting started and a new book takes a deeper look at how she got there. Amna Nawaz spoke with Christine Brennan about “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports."
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Which college basketball team did Caitlin Clark play for?
- Why did playing where she did in college help make Clark a superstar, according to Christine Brennan?
- Who is Dr. Harry Edwards, and what is his background?
- How was the league unprepared for Caitlin Clark's arrival, according to Christine Brennan?
- What happened to viewership when Caitlin Clark was injured?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Do you think journalists have a responsibility to ask difficult or uncomfortable questions? Why or why not?
- Why might it be important for journalists to report on an athlete’s impact off the court and not just their performance on the court?
Media literacy: How does media coverage shape the way fans and the public view athletes like Caitlin Clark?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Assignment: Imagine you are a sports journalist about to interview Caitlin Clark. Your job is to come up with 5 thoughtful questions that explore topics beyond just her basketball ability.
You might consider topics such as:
- The role she plays in growing and bringing more attention to women’s sports
- How she manages pressure and keeps a strong mindset
- The impact media coverage has on her life and career
For each question, write 1-2 sentences about why you chose it. Ask yourself: What do you hope to learn from this question, and why does it matter?
Written by Brooke Ingemi, PBS News Hour Classroom's intern and senior at Amherst College, and News Hour's Luke Gerwe.
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