Live as One

I thought I'd give everyone a glance into my HIGHLY ANTICIPATED graduation trip ......

169 days to go until the 2012 summer Olympic games commence in London, England, and I cannot wait any longer!

The Olympic games are seen as the world's foremost sports competition where up to two-hundred nations come to compete on one stage, with the whole world watching. It is an electricity felt around the world, where for three weeks every man, woman and country are placed on a level playing field, and we stand united.

I believe this attitude is integral in education as well, and so does the Olympic committee! London 2012 has a section on their website dedicated to educators using the games in order to enhance their classrooms and build healthy, culturally educated and confident students. Get Set is the official educational programme of the games to help teachers find resources, ideas and opportunities to make the most out of the games in their classroom. The resources section in particular narrows down your search for the perfect lesson plan or teaching strategy. Categories include:
- age of students
- content type (interactive games, case studies, fact sheet, project ideas, assembly ideas, activity sheets)
- themes (healthy active lifestyles, numeracy, culture, internationalism, leadership, PE and sport, literacy)

Here are just a few examples that I was able to find that relate directly to various strands in the Ontario curriculum:

Health and Physical Education

Physical Education (Daily Physical Activity) - Lead your own Olympic warm-up
(Active Participation: Grade One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six)
(Physical Fitness: Grade One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six)

Healthy Living - SmallSteps4Life program
(Understanding Health Concepts: Grade One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six)
(Making Healthy Choices: Grade One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six)
(Making Connections for Healthy Living: Grade One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six)

Literacy (Language Arts)

Writing/Making connections (Grades Three-Five) - Does you school share the same values as the Olympic games?

Numeracy (Mathematics)

Data Management (Grade Three and Four) - Keeping track of the athlete's scores

Number Sense and Numeration (Grade One and Two) - Countdown until the games begin!


Social Studies 

Geography - Where is the Olympic flame going?
(Canada and World Connections: Grade 6 – Canada’s Links to the World)

Citizenship, communication and collaboration
(Heritage and Citizenship: Grade 1 – Relationships, Rules, and Responsibilities)
(Heritage and Citizenship: Grade 2 – Traditions and Celebrations)

You or even one of the students in your next block may not be richer or have the best opportunities than the next person, but we all come from somewhere, and the Olympic games give everyone a chance to be proud of that place, and all that it stands for. Encourage the games in your classroom! I'll be wearing my red and white as proud as a peacock come late July.


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Olympic Logo Image. (2012). [Online Image]. Retrieved from:
http://www.london2012.com/