Objective

By the end of this lesson, Abbie will have a better understanding of the Penrith Panthers, including their history, key players, and the importance of teamwork in rugby league. She will also create her own fun fan art to express her enthusiasm for the team!

Materials and Prep

• Paper or a sketchbook
• Colored pencils or markers
• Pens or pencils for writing
• A computer or tablet with internet access (optional for research)
• Printed images of Penrith Panthers players (optional)

Before the lesson, make sure to have some information about the Penrith Panthers available, such as their founding year, notable achievements, and famous players. You can also gather some fun facts to share!

Activities

• Research Time: Abbie will spend some time researching the Penrith Panthers online or using printed materials. She will look for interesting facts about their history, achievements, and key players.
• Player Profiles: After gathering information, Abbie will create a profile for her favorite player. This will include their name, position, and some fun facts about them. She can draw a picture of the player or print one out to include.
• Fan Art Creation: Using the colored pencils or markers, Abbie will create a piece of fan art that represents her love for the Penrith Panthers. This could be a logo, a player, or even a scene from a game!
• Team Spirit Quiz: Abbie will create a short quiz about the Penrith Panthers to test her knowledge and that of anyone else who might want to take it. This can include multiple-choice questions or true/false statements.

Talking Points

• "Did you know the Penrith Panthers were founded in 1966? That’s a long time ago!"
• "The Panthers play in the NRL, which stands for the National Rugby League. It’s the top league for rugby in Australia!"
• "One of the most famous players for the Panthers is Nathan Cleary. He’s known for his amazing skills on the field!"
• "Teamwork is super important in rugby. Can you think of a time when working together helped you achieve something?"
• "The Panthers have won several premierships. A premiership is like winning the championship in other sports!"
• "What do you think makes a great rugby player? Is it speed, strength, or something else?"
• "The team colors for the Panthers are black, white, and teal. What do you think about those colors?"
• "The Panthers have a mascot named 'Panther.' Do you have a favorite sports mascot?"
• "What’s your favorite memory of watching a Panthers game? Or do you have a player you look up to?"
• "Creating fan art is a fun way to show your support for the team! What would you like to create?"