Winter Olympics Teaching Tips

Do you recognize the names Giant Slalom, Luge, andskis (shoeboxes, foil), ski poles (broomsticks), and
Curling? Yes? Then you must be ready for thewhatever else you can find. Amend the rules for
Winter Olympics! Here are a few suggestions toyour age group. For the Medal Ceremony, use gold,
make them more meaningful to your children:silver, and copper pens to make the ribbons. Have
1. Let each child or small group of children choose anyour children sequence the activities in which they
event to research. The events may be theirparticipated.
favorites or ones they would like to know more6. Alphabetize the names of the Olympic events.
about. (NOTE: A list of Winter Olympic events is at7. Use a TV Guide to practice reading schedules and
the end of this article.)find the days, times, and channels for specific sports.
2. Tell the children what you want them to findHere is a list of Winter Olympic events:
out...the history of the sport, the rules of it, theGiant Slalom, Luge, Curling, Speed Skating, Ski
equipment needed, people who have performed thatJumping, Freestyle Aerials, Biathlon, Super-G, Ice
event in past Winter Olympics...whatever you decide.Dancing, Cross Country, Combined Downhill, Slalom,
This will keep them focused and help them writeShort Track, Bobsleigh, Nordic Combined,
their reports using main ideas.Figure Skating, Freestyle Moguls, Snowboarding, Ice
3. Classify the Olympic events into categories. WhichHockey, Downhill, Skeleton
take place on the snow? On the track? On the rink?Enjoy the Winter Olympics!
4. Make a video collage with snippets of each event.I hope these ideas are useful and inspire your own
5. Hold your own Winter Olympics! If you live wherecreative thinking.
it does not snow, use props that can substitute forAnd remember...Reading is FUNdamental!