topics
Olympics
Olympics Lessons and Teacher Resources
Introduction:
The Olympic Games are a major international event of summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes compete in a wide variety of events. The games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD…. The celebration of the games encompasses many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies…. The first, second, and third place finishers in each event receive gold, silver or bronze Olympic medals, respectively. The games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation is represented. – Wikipedia.com
Lesson Plans | Additional Resources | Special 2010 Winter Olympics Resources
Lesson Plans:
- This is an idea for creating an Olympic windsock (Art K-1)
- This idea makes Olympic torches with traced hand flames (Art P-2)
- Here’s a quick graphing idea to use during the Olympics (Math 3-5)
- This is a multidisciplinary packet for a K-6 Olympic Opening Ceremonies and Game Day event (MD/PE K-6)
- This brief idea suggests teaching Beethoven’s Ode to Joy during the Olympics (Music K-12)
- Students compete in modified biathlon, floor hockey, luge, and figure skating station events here (PE 3-6)
- This excellent lesson plan is on the history of the Olympics (SS 2-5)
- This lesson on the Olympics includes a look at the countries’ backgrounds (SS 3-5)
- During the Olympics, you could also use this idea to make flags on the school fence with paper cups (SS K-12)
- Host your own Junior Olympics with appropriate games, relay races and physical activites connected to every subject on our Physical Education pages
- If you have any Olympics lesson plans to share, please add them to our site!
Additional Resources:
- Here are excellent Olympic technology resources for teachers
- This Perseus Digital Library Project exhibit compares the Ancient Olympics to modern Olympic sports
- Here is a Brainpop movie on the Olympics
- This is a thinkquest about unusual sports at the Olympics
- This is the home of the Special Olympics
- Answer these 20 questions to win the math olympics
- The is a general olympics quiz
- This is a unit on nutrition science and the Olympics and a factsheet on nutrition for atheletes
- You can also find Olympic logic puzzles and wordsearches at EdHelper.com.
Special Resources for the 2010 Winter Olympics:
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were held on February 12-28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the resort town of Whistler and in Richmond, a Vancouver suburb…. The 2010 Winter Olympics was the third Olympics hosted by Canada, and the first by the province of British Columbia. Previously, Canada was home to the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. – Wikipedia.com
- This was the official website for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics
- This was the official website of the Olympic Movement including virtual exhibits from the Olympic Games Museum and Youth Olympic Games, an Olympics Study Center, mini-games, and lots of videos
- Here is NBC’s coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and ESPN coverage, plus official news and updates on the U.S. Olympic Team
- NBC Learn and the National Science Foundation presents the Science of the Winter Olympics exploring the “physics and physiology of swifter, higher, stronger” through sixteen exciting videos.
- Engage your students with the teaching resource packet for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
- Here is a collection of searchable lesson ideas and project starters for all grades from the Vancouver 2010 Education Program
- This Olympics for Kids site made by 4th Graders includes a Vancouver Olympics Cyberhunt, reports and slides for each event, and a voting page
visit us on facebook