United States Olympic Committee s Curriculum Guide to the Olympic Games The Olympic Dream PRIMARY Griffin Publishing Group Torrance, California
Table of Contents Introduction.......................... 4 Bulletin Board......................... 5 Learning Center(s)..................... 6 Where Do You Fit In?................... 7 Olympic History Ancient Greece.................... 8 Ancient Greece Recall............... 9 Modern Olympic Games............ 10 Modern Olympic Games Sort......... 11 Ancient and Modern Olympic Games... 12 Olympic Traditions Opening and Closing Ceremonies...... 13 Olympic Card Trick................ 14 The Olympic Symbol............... 15 The Olympic Oath................. 16 The Olympic Torch................ 17 Design an Olympic Pin............. 18 Olympic Medals................... 19 Olympic Sites Host Cities....................... 20 Flags........................... 21 Design a Logo.................... 24 Design an Olympic T-Shirt........... 25 Design a Mascot................... 26 Design a Poster................... 27 The Olympic Site.................. 28 Site Report Form.................. 29 Olympic Events Summer Events Jigsaw.............. 30 Winter Events Jigsaw............... 33 Olympic Games Crossword Puzzle..... 36 Marathon........................ 37 Multi-Event Sports................. 38 Event Analogies................... 39 Event Report Form................. 40 Olympic Competition What Is a Competitor?.............. 41 Win or Lose...................... 42 Olympians and Sports (Task Cards).... 43 Olympic Dream Teams Book......... 48 Olympic Trivia.................... 51 Postcard......................... 52 Olympic Products.................. 53 Word Search Puzzle................ 54 Design an Official Uniform.......... 55 Olympian Report Form............. 56 This Is My Country................ 57 The Olympic Games and You The ABCs of the Olympic Games..... 58 Road to the Olympic Games.......... 59 A Mini-Olympic Games............. 64 Performance Certificate............. 66 Olympic Display.................. 67 World Map....................... 68 Additional Activities and Enrichment... 70 Pictograms....................... 72 The Paralympic Games................ 77 Bibliography......................... 78 Answer Key.......................... 80 3
Introduction Every two years there is a special excitement in the air. The eyes and ears of the world are on athletes who meet in friendly competition to see who is the fastest runner, the highest jumper, the speediest skier, the most graceful skater. Top athletes from around the world compete for medals signifying that they are the best. This book is about Olympic competition. The official designation, Olympic Games, refers to the Games held during the summer months every four years. The Games held in the winter months every four years are officially known as the Olympic Winter Games. This book includes ideas, materials, and activities that can be used with students in primary grades. The contents are designed to provide the following: information and practice activities to familiarize students with the Olympic Games creative worksheets to challenge students to recall and apply what they have learned a complete game to bring the spirit of the Olympic Games to your classroom plans for a Mini-Olympic Games culminating activity suggestions for additional activities and enrichment teacher resources including a bulletin board, learning center(s), answer key, art patterns, and a bibliography These materials are appropriate for the following: class or group lessons independent enrichment and research cooperative learning activities The Olympic Games, usually held in July or August when many students are on vacation, may be introduced to them at the end of the traditional school year. Thus, they can better appreciate the Games on television or in person. The Olympic Winter Games, held in January or February when most schools are in session, offer the opportunity for additional activities based on the daily schedules of the Games. The hope for peace is renewed at the Olympic Games. When the Olympic flag is flying and the Olympic flame is burning, we think of world peace and cooperation. As we watch the ceremonies and competitions, we appreciate and respect the talent and dedication of individual athletes. Differences in nationalities fade as similarities in human spirit emerge. We hope this book will bring the Olympic spirit alive for you and your students. 4
Where Do You Fit In? People all over the world have favorite sports and favorite athletes. What are your favorite sports? Who are your favorite athletes? Sports I Like to Play Sports I Like to Watch Is It an Olympic Sport? My Favorite Athletes Sports They Play Have They Ever Been in the Olympic Games? You are about to begin learning about the Olympic Games and the Olympic Winter Games. Here are some things you can do to get started: Make a list of Olympic sports. Learn the dates and locations of the next Olympic and Olympic Winter Games. Listen to news reports on television about the upcoming Games. Share what you hear with your class. Cut out newspaper and magazine articles about the upcoming Games. Share your information with your class. 7
Olympic History Ancient Greece The Olympic Games started in the Valley of Olympia in 776 B.C. The Games lasted five days and were only for men and boys. The first day was spent getting ready to compete. The athletes chose their best games. The judges promised to be fair. On the second day, there was a chariot race. A chariot is a two-wheeled carriage pulled by four horses. Athletes also ran foot races and did long jumps on this day. On the third day, there was a big feast. Later, there were foot races, boxing, and wrestling for boys. The fourth day was for men s foot races, boxing, and wrestling. Some of these events were very rough. Some men got hurt. On the fifth day the winners were given crowns of olive leaves. What do the following words mean? ancient athlete chariot compete feast How do you think the Olympic Games got its name? 8