FRIENDSHIP GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON OLYMPIAN STORIES CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015. GOLD LEVEL Grades 6 and Up

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1 OLYMPIAN STORIES GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON FRIENDSHIP CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015 GOLD LEVEL Grades 6 and Up

JUSTIN WADSWORTH FAIR PLAY TEACHERS GUIDE

featuring a well-known Canadian Olympian or coach

brought to life with activities that engage

AND SCOTT MOIR Through these values-based

that Canadian athletes reached great success not

also through character and intelligence.

mental fitness resource Be a Champion for Life:

Together, these resources create a foundation for

2 JUSTIN WADSWORTH FAIR PLAY TEACHERS GUIDE CREATING A CANADIAN OLYMPIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON FRIENDSHIP DOMINIQUE MALTAIS DETERMINATION Each story, featuring a well-known Canadian Olympian or coach from the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, is brought to life with activities that engage students in literacy, physical activity, character and team-building challenges. JEAN-PHILIPPE LE GUELLEC EXCELLENCE TESSA VIRTUE AND SCOTT MOIR Through these values-based Olympian and Coach stories, students discover that Canadian athletes reached great success not only through tremendous physical talents, but also through character and intelligence. Complementing these captivating stories is the mental fitness resource Be a Champion for Life: Energy Gains and Energy Drains. Together, these resources create a foundation for teachers to inspire their students to exercise their mind, body and character. TEAMWORK 2 GOLD LEVEL Grades 6 and Up

The Canadian Olympic School Program (COSP) is designed in accordance with the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, Pierre de Coubertin s, philosophy of Olympism.

3 The Canadian Olympic School Program (COSP) is designed in accordance with the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, Pierre de Coubertin s, philosophy of Olympism. By recognizing the value of Olympians and coaches as role models, the program engages students with the joy found in effort while blending sport with culture and education. The Athlete and Coach stories balance intellectual instruction, cultural development and physical education. The heart of the curriculum focuses on participation, effort and the pride in knowing you have given your all to the pursuit of excellence. OLYMPIC VALUES AS EDUCATIONAL TOOLS The worldwide Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect act as a foundation for these stories. Each Athlete and Coach story will focus on the development of a character value within your students. By engaging students in each narrative, they have the opportunity to expand their understanding of this value and to expand their moral capabilities. BLENDING SPORT WITH CULTURE AND EDUCATION Each Athlete and Coach story is tailored to three reading levels: Bronze (grades 2 and 3), Silver (grades 4 and 5), and Gold (grades 6 to 8). Each story comes with progressive activities that are open- ended and tailored to address a diverse range of learning styles and proficiencies. They focus on six main facets of understanding: explaining, interpreting, applying, taking perspective, empowering and developing self- knowledge. These critical thinking skills are woven into all three stages of the learning sequence in order to promote deeper understanding of the values and concepts. Through many facets of the Canadian Olympic School Program, children and youth can connect values to their lives at home, at school and in their local community. Perhaps they can begin to see their world in new and different ways. TEACHING GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS Current curriculum theory emphasizes the importance of reinforcing value messages through narratives, storytelling, art, posters, drama, and physical movement. Activities based on the stories, events, ceremonies and symbols of the Olympic Games have school-wide relevance. Group sizes for activities will be indicated by the following icons: 3 PIERRE DE COUBERTIN Independent Activity Small Group Activity Large Group Activity

GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON SOCHI 2014 OLYMPIAN STORY S D N D E I N E I R R F F P I P H INDS H SFRIE D NHIP E I P I

$Weeks earlier, he had fractured two vertebrae in a crash during a short track speed skating race.$ But then he saw Denny Morrison and two other Canadians win a gold medal in the team pursuit in long track speed skating.

But then he saw Denny Morrison and two other Canadians win a gold medal in the team pursuit in long track speed skating.

4 GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON SOCHI 2014 OLYMPIAN STORY S D N D E I N E I R R F F P I P H INDS H SFRIE D NHIP E I P I FRRIENDS SH F Gilmore Junio was lying on his couch watching the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games on television. Weeks earlier, he had fractured two vertebrae in a crash during a short track speed skating race. He was 19 years old and he wasn t sure whether he would continue skating. But then he saw Denny Morrison and two other Canadians win a gold medal in the team pursuit in long track speed skating. He imagined himself winning a medal, and decided to switch to DENN long-track skating. Y MO R RISO GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON 4 CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015 GILM ORE JUNI N O GOLD LEVEL Grades 6 and Up

Over the next four years, he trained in the same group as Denny. They saw each other almost every day and even traveled to World Cup races in Europe.

Gilmore helped Denny improve his starts, and Denny helped Gilmore improve his endurance.

As Denny rounded the final curve, his left blade caught the heel of his right boot and he fell, sliding to the finish. The top four skaters qualify for Sochi, and he was fifth. He was stunned.

The coach disagreed, and said that Denny did not qualify. Gilmore would compete in the 500 metres and the 1000 metres.

5 Over the next four years, he trained in the same group as Denny. They saw each other almost every day and even traveled to World Cup races in Europe. Gilmore was a sprinter and excelled at the 500 metres. Denny was better in the longer distances like the 1000 and 1500 metres. Gilmore helped Denny improve his starts, and Denny helped Gilmore improve his endurance. Several months before the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, both of them competed in the 1000 metres at the Canadian Olympic Trials. As Denny rounded the final curve, his left blade caught the heel of his right boot and he fell, sliding to the finish. The top four skaters qualify for Sochi, and he was fifth. He was stunned. Gilmore finished third. He knew that Denny was better in this event, and he suggested to a coach that Denny should do the 1000 metres instead of him. The coach disagreed, and said that Denny did not qualify. Gilmore would compete in the 500 metres and the 1000 metres. Denny would compete in the 1500 metres and the team pursuit, and be the alternate in the 1000 metres at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. DENNY MORRISON SOCHI 2014 GILMORE JUNIO SOCHI 2014 I DIDN T JUST WANT TO TAKE A SPOT IN THE RACE. I WANTED OUR BEST SKATER TO RACE. GILMORE JUNIO Gilmore believed he could win a medal, but it didn t happen in Sochi. He finished tenth in the 500 metres, and he wasn t happy. In the weeks before the Olympic Winter Games, he had seen Denny skating very well. I didn t just want to stand on the line again. I wanted to put our best skater out there, he said. He spoke with the same coach about giving up his spot so that Denny could compete in the 1000 metres. This time, the coach agreed. Denny had accepted the difficult fact that he didn t qualify for his best event. But two days before the race, he got a text message from a Russian number. Are you ready to skate the 1000? He wondered if this was a bad joke. Who is this? he replied. It s Gil, read the response. I m serious. 5 GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON SOCHI 2014 GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON SOCHI 2014

Denny ran to Canada Olympic House, where he met Gilmore. He was so grateful for his friend s selfless gesture. We were this big ball of emotion, Denny recalled. I was just vibrating with energy.

He started very fast, and focused on keeping low, pushing to the side, and swinging his arms. When he reached the final stretch, he knew he was ahead.

6 Denny ran to Canada Olympic House, where he met Gilmore. He was so grateful for his friend s selfless gesture. We were this big ball of emotion, Denny recalled. I was just vibrating with energy. I could have raced right there. Two days later, Denny was still excited. He lined up beside his competitor in the 12th out of 17 heats. He started very fast, and focused on keeping low, pushing to the side, and swinging his arms. When he reached the final stretch, he knew he was ahead. His finishing time was the second best so far, but there were still five pairs left. One by one they finished, without skating faster. The final pair crossed the line, and he was too nervous to look at the scoreboard. A coach grabbed his shoulder and yelled, Denny! You got silver! Gilmore had watched the race from the stands, his hands shaking. At the final medal announcement, he left his seat because he didn t want any attention on himself. But as soon as he could, Denny found him in the tunnel under the stadium, and they hugged each other over and over. This is your moment, Gilmore said, but Denny insisted that he come along to the media area for interviews. Several hours later, Denny was still at the stadium finishing his warm-down. He went to the change room, and there in a corridor was a group of about 20 of his coaches, support staff, and Gilmore. We all linked arms with Gilmore in the middle and we started jumping in a circle around him, cheering and crying, Denny recalled. I think it was my favourite moment of the whole thing, this huge team hug. It felt like the medal was a team victory. 6 IT FELT LIKE THE MEDAL WAS A TEAM VICTORY DENNY MORRISON DENNY MORRISON SOCHI 2014 GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON SOCHI 2014 SPEED SKATING In short track speed skating, skaters race around a rink the size of a hockey rink. There are lots of skaters in each race, and there are frequent falls as the skaters navigate the tight corners at high speeds. In long track speed skating, the skaters race around a 400 metre oval, and there are only two people in each race. Their times are recorded, and compared to those from skaters in other races. When Denny Morrison raced, he did not know his eventual placing until all of the other skaters had raced. This made for some nervous minutes as he watched his competitors try to match or beat his time. OLYMPIC DEBUT LADIES MEN LAPS 500M /4 1000M /2 1500M /4 3000M /2 5000M /2 10,000M START 3000M 5000M START 1000M START 500M START 1500M FINISH 1000M FINISH 500M 1500M 3000M 5000M 10,000M START 10,000M

7 DENNY MORRISON LEARNING SEQUENCE GILMORE JUNIO FRIENDSHIP CONNECTING BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR NEW LEARNING Think - pair share. Independently, students list 8 qualities of a good friend. These can be phrased as nouns, adjectives or verbs. Students meet with one partner, share their lists, and work together to generate a list with 6 qualities of a good friend. Using the list of 6 qualities, each partner group connects with another group of two, creating groups of four students. As a group, reduce the list to 5 top qualities. Tweet it out As a group of four, create a Tweet with a hashtag. This can be done on large sheets of paper to post, or if the class uses Twitter and has the devices necessary, these can be electronic. Some examples: 7 A good friend is compassionate, respectful, patient, forgiving and listens. #ourtopfive Our friends at display the #olympicvalues of fun, respect, fairness, leadership and excellence. A friend listens, cares, laughs, shares, and understands #whatittakes To the members of team, a good friend is one who listens, learns, tries, improves and strives for #personalsuccess with us. PROCESSING USING STRATEGIES TO ACQUIRE AND USE KNOWLEDGE Read the story independently or as a class. Re-tweet Students return to their groups of four, and discuss which friendship elements from their Tweets were evident in the story. Each group writes one or two new Tweets (using the same methods as in the preparatory activity), and posts these for the class to read. Class Discussion Discuss with the class Tweets that are similar and Tweets that raise very different ideas. Ask, Did any of our ideas change after we read the story of Denny and Gilmore? Discuss selflessness as a characteristic within a friendship. Explore times when a good friend may choose to put the needs and wants of another before his or her own. TRANSFORMING SHOWING UNDERSTANDING IN A NEW WAY Text messages between friends Gilmore texted a message to his friend Denny that encapsulated their friendship. Write quotes that will express friendship, find quotes on the internet, or write a few quick texts between two friends modeling the qualities of a good friend. EXTENSION ACTIVITY Create a slideshow with quotes about friendship. Choose some music to accompany the slideshow. Post this to a virtual bulletin board, a class website or blog. SOCIAL MEDIA STUDY With more athletes, fans and broadcasters connecting through different media channels than ever before, the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games highlighted the impact social media can have on an international event. Extend your students knowledge of the risks and advantages of using social media, and how to navigate through them, with the 2014 COSP Social Media Study, featuring advice and testimonials from Canadian Olympians and Canadian Olympic Committee Digital Team members. You can find the resource at:

8 THINKING ABOUT FRIENDSHIP In my group of 4, let s pick the 5 most important qualities 1) 8 Here are the qualities of a good friend 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) With my partner, let s get the list to 6 qualities 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 2) 3) 4) 5) Together, write a Tweet to post. Don t forget the hashtag!

9 GIVE ME

OLYMPIAN STORIES GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON FRIENDSHIP CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THE CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM WISHES TO THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE

10 OLYMPIAN STORIES GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON FRIENDSHIP CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THE CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM WISHES TO THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE. WITHOUT THEIR EFFORTS, AND CREATIVITY, THIS PROJECT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE Eric Boulé Ty Greene Derek Kent Marie-Eve Marleau Nathaniel Miller Kate Moorhouse Olya Ovtchinnikova Marc-André Plouffe Sandra Sassine Paulo Senra Tys van der Drift FEATURED ATHLETES Gilmore Junio Denny Morrison WEBSITE Todd Denis Mark Nadolny Georgia Sapounas PHOTOGRAPHS Winston Chow Ben Stevenson INTERVIEWER Sylvain Leclerc WRITERS Bruce Deacon Marcie Good Claire Cairnie GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andy Maier TRANSLATION Célyne Malette, Editor Pascale Seide Legros GOLD LEVEL Grades 6 and Up

FRIENDSHIP GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON OLYMPIAN STORIES CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015. BRONZE LEVEL Grades 2-3

FRIENDSHIP GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON OLYMPIAN STORIES CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015. BRONZE LEVEL Grades 2-3 OLYMPIAN STORIES GILMORE JUNIO AND DENNY MORRISON CANADIAN OLYMPIC SCHOOL PROGRAM 2014/2015 BRONZE LEVEL Grades 2-3 www.olympic.ca/education JUSTIN WADSWORTH FAIR PLAY TEACHERS GUIDE CREATING A CANADIAN