Objectives:

As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. describe how the game of the game of the Flyer and the Comelazoatze game were played in pre-Columbian Nicaragua.
   
2. describe how the modern game of trompo is played in Nicaragua.
   
3. identify other sports and games modern Nicaraguans play for entertainment.
   
4. outline the career of Alexis Argüello and evaluate his importance in Nicaraguan society.
   

Materials:

1. Student Handout: Early Entertainment in Nicaragua
   
2. Student Handout: Other Sports and Games
   

Activities:

1. Begin the lesson by asking students to compile a list of what they do in their free time. (i.e. watch TV, play video games, surf the Internet, play football read books, etc.) Write their responses on the chalkboard.
   
   a. Ask students to determine how much it costs to conduct that activity by looking at the materials needed.
   b. Examples: Watching TV
   • Cost of TV: $200 to $500 (or more)
   • Cable: $ 50 per month.
   • Electricity: $45 per month
   
   
2. Distribute the student handout entitled Other Sports and Games.
   
   a. Direct students to read the first section, entitled The Economic Environment.
   b. Ask students to place themselves in the situation of an average Nicaraguan student. Which of their current activities would they have to surrender if they lived in Nicaragua? What type of things would they do to fill their time?
   
   
3. Direct students to read the next two sections on the handout.
   
   a. Ask students to compare trompo to the type of games they have played. Have they ever played a similar game? How was it played?
   b. Ask students to explain what types of games or activities they can think of that they play that do not cost a significant amount of money but are a lot of fun, like trompo or soccer.