The concept of this activity is not new. I first encountered it at an AP workshop several years ago with a fictional high school football game (although I can’t for the life of me find the original activity or the name of the consultant who shared it). The OER Project has a brief version of something similar (involving school lunch policies) as an introduction to their sourcing activities and resources, which are worth checking out all on their own.
This particular manifestation, however, is mine – with a little help from Claude.ai. I’ve been considering a post about my experiences as an old man and presumed classroom veteran using Claude as a tool to prepare for the upcoming year, but it’s been difficult to put into words. I’m far from a transformative educator when it comes to anything technological, so it can’t be one of those “HOW I QUIT WHINING AND REVOLUTIONIZED LEARNING IN MY CLASSROOM WITH AI IN SEVEN EASY STEPS!” posts which seem to be everywhere at the moment. Also, I haven’t actually used any of the materials Claude has helped me develop yet, so – while I’ve learned a great deal and am cautiously optimistic about some of the possibilities – I hesitate to get all preachy about it just yet.
In any case, in the interest of full disclosure, Claude provided a substantial assist putting these materials together. That also matters because it means if you like the general idea, but not my specific faux documents, you can redo any or all of it according to your own druthers. You’re even welcome to start with mine and simply edit as you wish to save yourself some time.
So how does this activity work?
Well, that’s partly up to you. There are nine documents related to an important girls’ basketball playoff game between two rival high schools. The winning shot was by an unlikely hero who may or may not have committed an offensive foul on her way to the basket. Not surprisingly, people on both teams and throughout the community had opinions about what happened and what should or should not have been called.
I made a few compromises to make sure I had the variety of viewpoints I wished. The local media outlets covering this game were far more thorough and committed than their real-life equivalents could ever afford in the 21st century. Also, while there are heated opinions expressed on both sides, no one personally slanders or threatens anyone in these excerpts, and nothing is directly blamed on George Soros – so you know it’s pure fiction designed for classroom use.
One option is to put students in small groups and distribute the nine “documents” for them to read and consider. This allows them to play “divide and conquer” (which for some reason is still far more effective if they think they’re being clever than if I simply suggest they divide up the documents then summarize them for one another).
I’m also considering giving every student one document and simplified versions of the discussion questions to begin with. I’d call on a few kids randomly to ask what happened at the game based on their document, see what we get, then ask them to find two (or three) other students with which to combine – but no group can have two people with the same documents. Repeat the process, then blend into larger groups, etc.
The idea, of course, is to look at ways different people can perceive and relay information about the same basic event. None of this is revolutionary – just try finding out from students what actually led to so-and-so being suspended or why he-and-she broke up and you’ll quickly be reminded of the gross unreliability of eyewitness testimony and our own fallible emotions and recollections.
I intentionally expanded the documents to include several which do little (or nothing) to help us figure out what really happened at the end of the controversial basketball game. Depending on your priorities, these can simply be used as “detractors” – the documents we have to understand enough to realize that they don’t help us and can be set aside – or as an opportunity to go a bit deeper into secondary inferences about Navaeh, the Lincoln Leopards, and their ongoing relationship with the kids and parents of Glitterville High. If you choose to go there, please know that my intent was to avoid easy answers or solid proof of anything one way or the other – just uncomfortable questions and subjective interpretations of every little thing, reflecting our own biases and assumptions as much as anything we can prove in the texts.
Because I’m all profound like that.
In any case, the formatted documents are attached as either a Google Doc or PDF. For those of you who might want to simply read through this nonsense before deciding if you want to mess with it, you can do that now:
Document #1: Local Newspaper Report
Leopards Stun Glitterville 66-65 on Controversial Buzzer-Beater
Johnson’s drive sparks debate as Lincoln advances to sectional semifinals
GLITTERVILLE — Lincoln High’s Nevaeh Johnson drove through traffic and scored with 1.2 seconds remaining, lifting the Leopards to a stunning 66-65 victory over defending champion Glitterville in Tuesday’s sectional quarterfinal.
Johnson, averaging just 4.2 points per game entering the contest, took an inbound pass and drove hard to the basket, colliding with Glitterville defender Katie Morrison before scoring the game-winner. Glitterville players immediately appealed for an offensive foul, but officials ruled the contact incidental.
“They were playing tight – all my lanes were closed and I knew we didn’t have much time,” said Johnson, who finished with 8 points. “Coach always tells us to stay aggressive, so I just put my head down and went to the basket. I couldn’t believe it when I realized it went in!”
Glitterville (22-3) controlled most of the game behind Morrison’s 28 points and seemed poised to advance when they took a 65-61 lead with 45 seconds left. But Lincoln’s Jasmine Williams hit a crucial three-pointer to pull within one at 65-64 with 15 seconds remaining, setting up the dramatic finish.
The Leopards (18-7) were led by Williams’ 22 points and Aisha Davis’ 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Glitterville coach Sarah Thompson initially declined to comment after the game, while Lincoln coach Tom Martinez said, “In tournament play, you have to make plays when it matters.”
Lincoln advances to Friday’s sectional semifinal against Westfield, ending Glitterville’s hopes of a repeat championship.
Document #2: Local TV Reporter Interviews Lincoln High teacher Ms. Patricia Rodriguez Outside the Gymnasium Just After the Game
Reporter: Ms. Rodriguez, quite a finish tonight. What did you see on that final play?
Ms. Rodriguez: (still catching breath) Oh my goodness, what a game! Nevaeh just showed so much heart driving to the basket like that. I mean, both teams were playing so physical all night – the refs really let them play, you know? That’s playoff basketball.
Reporter: Glitterville seemed upset about the no-call on the final play.
Ms. Rodriguez: (pauses awkwardly) Well, I… look, I think there’s always going to be contact in basketball, especially in a game like this. These girls have been battling each other for years, and emotions run high. I just think our girls finally got a break after… (stops herself) I mean, both teams played their hearts out. Katie Morrison is just an incredible player, and I have so much respect for their program.
Reporter: What does this win mean for Lincoln?
Ms. Rodriguez: It means everything. These girls have worked so hard, and sometimes you need that one moment when everything comes together. Nevaeh has been working on her confidence all season, and to see her step up like that… (grins) I just hope everyone can appreciate what a great game this was, regardless of how it ended.
Document #3: Local TV Reporters Interview Glitterville Coach Sarah Thompson in Hallway Outside Team Locker Room About 20 Minutes After the Game
Reporter #1: Coach Thompson, tough way to end the season. Your thoughts on that final play?
Coach Thompson: (long pause, clearly frustrated) Look, I’m proud of how our girls played tonight. Katie Morrison gave everything she had out there, and we executed our game plan. We controlled the tempo, we had the lead with under a minute to go… (shakes head)
Reporter #2: What did you see on the contact between Morrison and Johnson?
Coach Thompson: (exhales sharply) I saw what everyone else in that gym saw. Katie was in perfect defensive position, and she got run over. That’s… (pauses, collecting himself) Look, I don’t want to make excuses, but that’s a call that gets made all season long. All season long. And in the biggest moment of these girls’ careers, it doesn’t get called.
Reporter #2: You seemed to be discussing it with the officials after the game.
Coach Thompson: I was asking for an explanation. These girls have worked all year for this moment. They earned that win tonight, and… (stops, takes a breath) I’m not going to say anything that takes away from what Lincoln accomplished. But our girls deserved better than that. They played their hearts out.
Reporter #3: What’s your message to the team?
Coach Thompson: Hold your heads high. We had an incredible season, and nobody can take that away from us. Sometimes the game comes down to one call, and tonight it didn’t go our way. That’s basketball, I guess – and sometimes that’s life. We get up tomorrow and move on.
Document #4: Local TV Reporter Interviews Lincoln Leopards Guard Jasmine Williams After the Game on Gym Floor, Still in Uniform
Reporter: Jasmine, you hit that huge three-pointer to get your team back in it. Talk about that moment.
Jasmine Williams: (still hyped up) Man, I knew I had to step up. Coach always tells us somebody’s gotta make a play, and Aisha got me the ball in the right spot. I’ve been working on that shot all season, so when it left my hands I was like, “Yeah, that’s going in.”
Reporter: What was it like watching Nevaeh’s game-winning drive?
Jasmine Williams: (grins widely) Yo, I’m so proud of her! People don’t even know how hard she works in practice. Like, she’s always staying after to work on her handles and stuff. When she grabbed that pass and just went straight at Katie Morrison… (shakes head) That was straight up fearless. That’s my girl right there.
Reporter: There seemed to be some controversy about the contact on that final play.
Jasmine Williams: (rolls eyes slightly) Look, they’ve been hitting us all game. All game. Ask Aisha about that elbow she took in the third quarter – no call. We’ve been playing them for years and they always play us physical like that. But when we finally play them back, now it’s a problem? Nah, that’s just basketball. Nevaeh made a strong move and scored. Period.
Reporter: What does this win mean to you and your teammates?
Jasmine Williams: Everything. We’ve been grinding for this moment since freshman year. Now we get to keep playing, and honestly? We’re not done yet.
Document #5: Local Sports Reporter Interviews Glitterville Divas Forward Emma Chen in School Parking Lot as She Loads Her Bag Into Parents’ SUV
Reporter: Emma, you’ve played Lincoln several times over the years. What was different about tonight?
Emma Chen: (visibly upset, voice shaky) I mean, we had them. We literally had them beat and then… (pauses) I don’t know, it just feels like it got taken away from us, you know? We’ve worked so hard all season for this.
Reporter: You were on the court for that final play. What did you see?
Emma Chen: Katie got absolutely trucked. Like, there’s no way that wasn’t a foul. She was set, she was in perfect position, and their girl just ran right through her. I was literally right there – I saw the whole thing. (voice rising) How do you not call that? In a playoff game? That’s insane.
Reporter: Lincoln feels like they were getting the rough treatment from the officials all night.
Emma Chen: (scoffs) Are you kidding me? They’ve been throwing elbows and pushing off all game. That’s just how they play – and tonight the refs just… let them get away with it. Especially on the most important play of the game.
Reporter: What’s your message to your senior teammates?
Emma Chen: (starts tearing up) I’m just so sorry for them. Katie and the other seniors deserved better than this. They’ve given everything to this program, and to have it end like this… (shakes head) It’s just not fair.
Document #6: Social Media Post from Emma Chen (@EmmaC_15) Posted About 90 Minutes After the Game
literally cannot believe that just happened. we had them beat and the refs just let them get away with murder on that last play. katie got TRUCKED and no call??? that’s just how they play – super aggressive and hoping the refs are afraid to call it. our seniors deserved so much better than this. robbery. total bs. 😭😭😭
47 likes, 23 comments
Document #7: College Scout Report By Isaiah Booker – Assistant Coach, State University Women’s Basketball
Event: Sectional Quarterfinal – Lincoln vs. Glitterville (March 15th)
Primary Target: Katie Morrison (Glitterville, Sr., 5’8″ G)
Final Score: Lincoln 66, Glitterville 65
PRIMARY EVALUATION – Katie Morrison (#23, Glitterville)
Stats: 28 pts (11/19 FG, 4/7 3PT, 2/2 FT), 6 reb, 4 ast, 2 TO, 3 stl
Performance Grade: B+
Strengths: Excellent shooter with quick release. Handles pressure well – never rushed despite close game. Good court vision, found open teammates consistently. Physically tough, absorbed contact and finished through traffic multiple times. Leadership qualities evident – teammates looked to her in crucial moments.
Areas of Concern: Struggled defending quicker guards on switches. Appeared to tire in final minutes – shot selection became forced. Took collision on final play but maintained composure, no emotional outburst toward officials.
Projection: Solid mid-major prospect. Has skills to contribute immediately but ceiling may be limited by athleticism.
SECONDARY OBSERVATIONS
Nevaeh Johnson (#15, Lincoln): Averaging 4.2 ppg but scored 12 tonight including game-winner. Raw talent evident but inconsistent. Made strong drive through contact for winning basket – shows potential mental toughness. Worth monitoring development.
Jasmine Williams (#12, Lincoln): 22 pts, clutch three-pointer late. Good shooter, high basketball IQ. Possible walk-on candidate.
Game Flow: Physical contest, officials let teams play. Both squads handled pressure well. Final play featured hard drive by Johnson, significant contact with Morrison. No foul called – borderline decision could have gone either way.
Follow-up: Request Morrison’s academic info and summer schedule. Johnson intriguing as potential late bloomer – worth tracking junior season.
Document #8: Frustrated Teacher to Colleague Via Email
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Worth It? Date: March 22, 8:47 AM
Hey Michelle,
Thanks for asking how I’m feeling about all the celebrations. I mean, I’m happy for the girls, I really am. It’s great to see them succeed and the school spirit has been through the roof this week. I’m certainly not crying for Glitterville – must be traumatic for them, being beaten by our girls. Go cry in your privilege, Karens.
I guess I’m just wondering if we could channel some of that energy toward academics now? I know that sounds like typical teacher griping, but I had Nevaeh in my class last semester and she already has a tendency to think she can power through problems instead of slowing down and thinking them through. Don’t get me wrong – determination is great, but sometimes reaching our goals means having the confidence to keep applying ourself even when the results take longer than we’d like.
Her big game-winning drive apparently has some insane number of likes on TikTok or ChatSnap or whatever it is they use. And hey, good for her. But I just hope she doesn’t take the wrong lesson from this, you know? Like that being aggressive and charging ahead is always the answer. That mindset already shows up in her schoolwork – she’d rather rush through an assignment than take time to really understand it. Sometimes that’s her approach to people as well.
I probably sound like a killjoy, and I don’t mean to be. These girls worked hard and they deserve recognition. I just wish academics got half the attention that basketball does around here. When’s the last time we had a pep rally for honor roll students?
Dave Peterson, AP History & AP Government
“The further society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.” (George Orwell)
Document #9: Nevaeh Recounts the Story the Following November to Freshman Mia Santos During a Water Break at Practice in the Lincoln High School Gymnasium
Mia: So I heard you hit some crazy game-winner last year against Glitterville?
Nevaeh: (laughs) Girl, that was wild. I mean, I’d been having a solid game all night – probably had like 10 or 12 points already, you know? But Coach kept telling us to stay aggressive, and I could see their defense was getting tired.
Mia: What happened on that last play?
Nevaeh: So we’re down by one with like a second left, and I get the inbound pass. I see Katie Morrison – she’s their star player, right? – and I just knew I had to attack. I’d been getting to the rim on her all game, so I put my head down and drove hard.
Mia: You ran the b**** right over, yeah?
Nevaeh: (shrugs) I mean, there was contact for sure. But honestly? I think she was trying to sell the call, you know what I mean? Like, she went down kinda easy when she felt me coming. She’s smart – she knows if she can get that whistle, game over. But the refs saw right through it.
Mia: Were you nervous?
Nevaeh: Nah, not really. I mean, I’d been playing well all season, and I knew I could make plays when we needed them. Plus, we’d been beating up on them all game – they were getting frustrated with how physical we were playing. When it mattered most, I just did what I always do.
Mia: That’s so cool. I hope I can make a shot like that someday.
Nevaeh: Just stay confident and keep working. Don’t lose sight of your goals. That’s all it takes.
Discussion Questions:
- What was so important about this specific basketball game? What can you infer about this game based on the provided documents? How certain are you of your inferences and which documents would you cite to support each one?
- What inferences can you make about the general relationship between Lincoln and Glitterville High School based on the provided documents? How certain are you of your inferences and which documents would you cite to support each one?
- What happened on the final play? Who was in the right and who was in the wrong, and how do you know? Which documents support each side?
- What inferences can you make about the kind of player Nevaeh is? How confident are your inferences and which documents could you use to support each one?
- What inferences can you make about the kind of person Nevaeh is? How confident are your inferences and which documents could you use to support each one?
- Many of the documents seem to contradict one another or represent very different points of view. Choose ANY THREE documents and discuss how what you know about the author and the context in which the document was created might have shaped WHAT they said and HOW they said it.