Winter Olympics Teaching Tips

Do you recognize the names Giant Slalom, Luge,substitute for skis (shoeboxes, foil), ski poles
and Curling? Yes? Then you must be ready for(broomsticks), and whatever else you can find.
the Winter Olympics! Here are a few suggestionsAmend the rules for your age group. For the
to make them more meaningful to your children:Medal Ceremony, use gold, silver, and copper pens
1. Let each child or small group of children chooseto make the ribbons. Have your children sequence
an event to research. The events may be theirthe activities in which they participated.
favorites or ones they would like to know more6. Alphabetize the names of the Olympic events.
about. (NOTE: A list of Winter Olympic events is7. Use a TV Guide to practice reading schedules
at the end of this article.)and find the days, times, and channels for specific
2. Tell the children what you want them to findsports.
out...the history of the sport, the rules of it, theHere is a list of Winter Olympic events:
equipment needed, people who have performedGiant Slalom, Luge, Curling, Speed Skating, Ski
that event in past Winter Olympics...whatever youJumping, Freestyle Aerials, Biathlon, Super-G, Ice
decide. This will keep them focused and help themDancing, Cross Country, Combined Downhill,
write their reports using main ideas.Slalom, Short Track, Bobsleigh, Nordic Combined,
3. Classify the Olympic events into categories.Figure Skating, Freestyle Moguls, Snowboarding,
Which take place on the snow? On the track? OnIce Hockey, Downhill, Skeleton
the rink?Enjoy the Winter Olympics!
4. Make a video collage with snippets of eachI hope these ideas are useful and inspire your
event.own creative thinking.
5. Hold your own Winter Olympics! If you liveAnd remember...Reading is FUNdamental!
where it does not snow, use props that can