Indiana Social Studies IS.5.5

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Individuals, Society, and Culture

The Standard

Identify and examine the impact that sports have had on the state of Indiana.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify how sports have affected Indiana communities. They explain effects on local businesses, community pride, and public costs, using specific events as examples.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain how the Indianapolis 500 brings customers to nearby businesses but can also cause traffic. They can describe how Milan’s 1954 basketball championship brought attention to a small town.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat sports as entertainment only and miss their effects on jobs, traffic, and community identity. They may assume that a big event benefits everyone equally or that an Indianapolis event affects the whole state in the same way.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: “The Indianapolis 500 brings visitors to nearby businesses and closes some roads. Name one benefit and one cost, and explain who experiences each.”

Lesson moves

Mark the Indianapolis 500, Milan’s 1954 basketball championship, and Indiana Fever games on a printed map; add one impact note for each.
Ask: Would you support public spending on a new Indiana sports venue? Name one benefit, one cost, and who bears each.
Sort cards labeled hotel stays, road closures, a championship parade, and stadium taxes into benefits and costs; defend one choice.
Use a local school game schedule and street map to predict which nearby businesses might gain customers and where parking could be tight.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to IS.5.5, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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