Basketball Discussion Prompts & Pause Points

Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Basketball Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before the Movie

What do you know about basketball?

How is teamwork important to playing basketball?

Why do you think basketball so popular?

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 0:55: What problem did the invention of basketball solve?

Timecode 1:30: Why might a game last hours?

Timecode 1:55: What’s the difference between offense and defense?

Timecode 2:51: What’s a free throw and why do they happen?

Timecode 3:31: How has basketball changed over the years?

After the Movie

Why do you think basketball has become so popular?

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.