The Ancient Olympics and Modern-Day Olympics

I'm not sure about you, but the London Summer Olympics 2012 captivated my attention and the attention of the oldest 2 daughters in our household.  While preparing for the school year, I kept coming back to the topic of The Olympics........
For the past 2 weeks, the ELP students have been focusing on learning about the Ancient Olympic games, held for over 2,000 years in Olympia, Greece.  We have also studied the re-birth of the Olympics in modern times, beginning in 1896.  

The 3rd grade students have been practicing a Reader's Theater about Jesse Owens and the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.  In partners, they have created a story map retelling the story of Jesse Owen's Olympic feats.  They will be sharing the Reader's Theater with the other 3rd grade classrooms.

The 4th grade ELP students have read non-fiction texts comparing the Ancient Greek games with Modern events in the Olympic Games.  As a culminating activity they have worked on Kidspiration to develop a Venn Diagram comparing/contrasting the Ancient games with Modern times.  

The 5th-7th grade groups have done similar activities, with varying levels of difficulty.  The latest project was to create a "card trick" using graph paper.  The 'card trick' is the label given when the audience in a stadium or venue use colored paper arranged in certain order to create a larger-than-life picture.  For example, using colored papers in the Olympic Stadium to make a huge picture of the Olympic rings.  Students had to design a "card trick" showing Olympic spirit and create a key so others could color it in.  The next blog will have examples........

The final project is a powerpoint project comparing and contrasting the Ancient Olympics with Modern-day Olympics.  As soon as I can figure out how to upload powerpoint projects to the blog......I'm certain one of the students will know and save me some time.....I will include them in the postings.  

As always, please contact me with questions, comments or suggestions.  
Thank you and Happy Labor Day weekend!
NO SCHOOL, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD!!


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