Olympics Unit 

Introduction

        This thematic unit has been designed to use with upper elementary students.  Many of the Illinois Learning Standards have been integrated with our district's Technology Curriculum, along with Information Literacy Standards.
       The learning objectives and scoring rubrics are included for each activity.
 
 

The learning activities include:                                                       

Olympic Sites

Official Olympics Site

Olympics For Kids

Chiff.com  2006 Winter Olympics

More Olympic Links

 United States Olympic Committee

Scholastic News

More Olympic Links

 NBC Olympics

2006 U.S. Olympic Team

WNBC Torino 2006

 Country and Flag Project   

Materials

Products

Country and Flag Sites

Official Site of the 2006 Olympics

 

 The World Factbook

 Flags From Around the World

  Flags of All Countries

 Welcome to Flags Of The World

Countries of the World 

 2002 Olympic Countries

Kids Village Olympics 2006

2006 Winter Olympics

Procedure

  1. Choose a country that will be competing in the Olympics.
  2. With your class, brainstorm a list of questions that you would like to know about another country.
  3. Find the flag from your chosen country on the internet.
  4. Save it in your folder on the server to use for later.
  5. Using Word, create a "Bibliography" page.
  6. Copy and paste the title of the page where you found your flag and the URL on your Bibliography page.  Save it in your folder on the server.
  7. With your group, create the country's flag using any materials you choose.
  8. Using "Inspiration" software, make a diagram for your "Country Report".  The diagram should include an introduction and conclusion.  One section should describe the country's location and give some basic facts about the country.  One section should tell about Olympic athletes from that country and how they placed.  The group will choose the information for the other sections.  Save this diagram in your folder on the server.
  9. Use books, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, CD Rom Encyclopedias, and the internet to find the information you need to complete your "Inspiration" diagram.
  10. Using your diagram, write a minimum 5 paragraph report about your country. The report must include a map and the flag of your country.

Scoring Rubric for Country Report

below 14 pts. = F 

15-16 pts. = D

17-18 pts. =C 

19-21 pts. =B 

22-24 pts. =A

Target Objective

1 point

2 points

3 points

4 points

1.  Students will be able to create a flag using a variety of materials.
(Fine Arts 26.B.2d)

The flag is missing several details or was not completed in time.

The flag is accurate, but was not completed in time.

The flag is missing some details, but was completed in time.

The flag is an accurate representation of the country's flag and was completed by the due date.

2. Students will be able to use "Inspiration" software to organize their country report.
(Lang. Arts 3.B.2a)

The diagram is missing 2 or more components (introduction, conclusion, 3 subtopics with 3 supporting details)

The diagram is missing the introduction or conclusion, has less than 3 subtopics or less than 3 supporting details for each sub topic.

The diagram correctly shows an introduction, conclusion, and 3 subtopics with three supporting details.

The diagram correctly shows an introduction, conclusion, and more than 3 subtopics with three or more supporting details.

3.  Students will be able to use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure. (Lang. Arts 3.A.2)

The report has more than 10 errors.

The report has 6-10 errors.

The report has less than 5 errors.

The report has no errors.

4.  Students will be able to communicate their ideas in a written report using the ISAT format.
(Lang. Arts 3.C.2a,b)

The report has more than 5 structural errors or missing components.

The report has from 3 to 5 structural errors or missing components.

The report has less than 2 structural errors or missing components.

The report has an introductory paragraph, more than 3 paragraphs in the body, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a topic sentence and at least 3 supporting details.

5.  Students will be able to download graphics and give proper credit to the source.

The map and the flag are missing.

The map or the flag is missing.

The report includes a map and the country's flag, but does not give credit to the source or has not received permission to use them if not taken from a public domain site.

The report includes a map and  the country's flag and cites the source.  Permission is received if they are not taken from a public domain site.

6.  Students will be able to use a variety of sources to find information and cite sources used.
(Lang. Arts 5A, B, C)

The report has less than 3 sources that are cited correctly in a Bibliography.

The report has 3 sources that are cited correctly in a Bibliography.

The report has 4 sources that are cited correctly in a Bibliography.

The report has at least 5 sources that are cited correctly in a Bibliography.

 Olympic Events 

   Materials

Products

Official Site of the 2006 Olympics

2006 U.S. Olympic Team

Unusual Sports in the Olympics 

Winter Olympics Timeline

You can also use the links at the top of this page.
Procedure

  1. Each group will choose an Olympic sport.
  2. Use "Inspiration" Software to organize a Power Point presentation that will need to include:
      • description of sport
      • description of playing area (size, inside or outside, etc.)
      • equipment
      • number of players or list the events
      • star athletes (legends and present) U.S. Athletes
      • this year's gold, silver, and bronze medal winners
      • Bibliography or Works Cited
  3.  Research your topic and enter your information into the "Inspiration" diagram.  Remember to write down your sources or copy and paste them into the Bibliography.
  4. Using "Excel", make a spreadsheet for your sport.  Include Men's and Women's divisions for at least 2 events in your sport.
  5. Sort your data by place, country, and by name.
  6. Use your "Inspiration" diagram to make a Power Point presentation.

     Scoring Rubric for Olympic Sports Project 

 below 12 pts. = F

 12-13 pts. = D

 14-15 pts. =C

16-17 pts. = B

18-20 pts. = A

Target Objective

1 point

2 points

3 points

4 points

1.  Students will be able to use "Inspiration" software to organize a Power Point presentation.
(Lang. Arts 3.B.2a)

The diagram has at least 4 subtopics that are linked correctly.

The diagram correctly shows 5 subtopics.

The diagram correctly shows 6 subtopics.

 

The diagram correctly shows 7 or more required subtopics.

2.  Students will be able to create a Power Point Presentation to describe an Olympic event.
(Lang. Arts 5.A.2b, 5.C.2a, 5.B.2b)

Presentation has several spelling or grammar errors or has less than 6 of the required subtopics.

Presentation has at least 6 subtopics and is free of errors.

Presentation has all required subtopics, but has spelling or grammar errors.

Presentation is neat and organized, free of spelling and grammar errors, has all required subtopics.

3.   Students will be able to insert pictures into their presentation.

The presentation includes 1 picture that has the source URL under it.

The presentation includes 2 pictures that have the source URL under them.

The presentation includes 3 pictures that have the source URL under them.

The presentation includes 4 pictures that that have the source URL under them.

4.  Works Cited

Three sources are missing or not correctly cited.

Two sources are missing or not correctly cited.

 

One source is missing or not correctly cited.

 

All sources for pictures and facts are correctly cited.  Use Landmark Citation Machine.

5.  Students will be able to create a spreadsheet using Excel.
(Math 10.A.2a, 10.B.2b)

The spreadsheet is missing three columns, events, has empty cells, or has several format errors.

The spreadsheet is missing two columns, events, empty cells, or has several format errors.

The spreadsheet is missing one event, column, an empty cell, or has a format error.

The spreadsheet includes event, top 3 places, name, country, and score or time. (for 2 events)  Data is lined up correctly and columns are wide enough to contain the data.

 Olympic Timeline 

  Materials

Products

Winter Olympics Through The Years 

The Present Games

Winter Games Participation

Official Site of the 2006 Olympics

 American History Timeline

Winter Olympics Timeline

Procedure

  1. Research to find this information:
      • location of the Winter Olympics from 1924 - 2002
      • an important American historical event for each Winter Olympic year
      • an American athlete who got a gold medal in each Winter Olympics
  2. Remember to write down where you found your information or copy and paste the page title and the URL into a Bibliography.
  3. Create a spreadsheet to keep track of this information.
  4. Using continuous computer paper, make a timeline to show this information.  Use crayons or markers, and write legibly.

Scoring Rubric for Olympic Timeline

below 7 pts.=F

7-8 pts. =D

9 pts. =C

10 pts.=B

11-12 pts. =A

Target objective

1 point

2 points

3 points

4 points

1.  Students will be able to identify an important American historical event for each Olympic year.
(Social Science 16.B.2d)

Timeline is missing more than 4 events or they are not correct.

Timeline is missing 2 - 4 events or they are not correct.

Timeline is missing an event or it is not correct.

Timeline includes an important American historical event for each year of the winter Olympics.

2.  Students will be able to use a variety of sources to find information and cite sources used.
(Lang. Arts 5A, B, C)

Timeline is missing more than 2 requirements or the sources are not cited correctly.

Timeline is missing two requirements or the sources are not cited correctly.

Timeline is missing one requirement or the sources are not cited correctly.

Timeline includes the location of each winter Olympics, an American athlete who got a gold medal for each Olympics, and the sources are cited correctly.

3.  Students will be able to create a timeline to present information from their research.
(Lang. Arts 5.C.2a)

Timeline has more than 4 errors, or is very difficult to read.

Timeline has 3-4 errors.

Timeline has 1 - 2 errors.

Timeline is neat, easy to read, and spelling is correct.

Heart Rate Activity

Materials

Heart Rate Worksheet

Products

          Procedure

  1. In the classroom, practice taking your heart rate.  Your partner will time you for 30 seconds.  Count how many times your heart beats. Multiply this number by two.  Now, time your partner.  Practice several times and then, record your resting heart rate on a piece of paper.
  2. With your group, make a spreadsheet in Excel with all your names, a column for your resting heart rate, and a column for your heart rate after exercise.  Record your resting heart rates.
  3. Print it out and take it outside when you do the Metric Olympics.
  4. After you compete in the Metric Olympics, you will collect your data for your heart rate after exercise.
  5. Two members of the team will run two laps around the playground as fast as they can.  When they have finished, one of the other team members will time them for 30 seconds using a stopwatch.  Then the other team members will run two laps and record their heart rate.
  6. In the computer lab, each team will complete their spreadsheet and calculate the mean heart rate before and after exercise.
  7. With your group, complete the "Heart Rate Worksheet".

  Metric Olympics 

(This project was adapated from AIMS: "Metric Olympics".)

Materials

            • "Excel" or other spreadsheet program
            • cotton balls
            • paper plates
            • paper straws
            • one clipboard for each group
            • meter stick or metric measuring tape


 

Products

            • Spreadsheet
            • Graph


 

Event

Estimate

Actual

Difference (Points)

Swing Shoe Kick

m.

m.

pts.

Cotton Ball Shot Put

cm.

cm.

pts.

Paper Plate Discus

cm.

cm.

pts.

Paper Straw Javelin

cm.

cm.

pts.

Team Score Sheet

Procedure

 

Use a clipboard to hold the score sheet.

One team member will loosen his/her shoe and swing their foot until the shoe is kicked.

Estimate the distance in meters. Record your estimate on the score sheet.

Use a meter stick or metric measuring tape to measure your distance.  Record your distance.

Calculate the difference between your estimate and your actual distance.  Record your score.

The rest of your team competes in this event.

Complete the other three events and record your team's data.

In the computer lab, choose one of the events.

Create a spreadsheet of your team's results in that event.  Don't record m. or cm. after the number because you won't be able to total the columns.

Calculate the total and the mean (average) for all three columns.

Select an appropriate graph to display your group's performance.

Scoring Rubric forMetricOlympics
andHeartRateActivity

 

  below 12 pts. = F

12-13 pts.=D

14-15 pts. =C

16-17 pts.=B

18-20 pts.=A

Target Objective

1 point

2 points

3 points

4 points

1.  Students will be able to estimate distance in centimeters and meters.
(Math 7.B.2a, Science 11.A.2b)

The team's average score is over 200 pts.

The team's average score is between 151-200 pts.

The team's average score is 101-150 pts.

The team's average score is under 100 pts.

2.  Students will be able to use Excel to calculate the total score and the mean  (average) score.
(Math 10.A.2b)

Both the total score and the mean are calculated incorrectly.

Either the total score or the mean is calculated incorrectly.

The total score and the mean are correct, but the formula is wrong.

The total score and the mean are calculated correctly.

3.  Students will be able to create a graph using Excel to display their group's performance.
(Math 10.B.2b)

The graph doesn't show how each team member performed.

The graph is difficult to read and is not labeled correctly.

The graph is difficult to read or is not labeled correctly.

The graph accurately shows how each team member performed, is easy to read, and is correctly labeled.

4.  Students will be able to monitor their heart rate before and after physical activity and record it using an Excel spreadsheet.
(P.E. 20.B.2a, Science 11.A.2c)

The spreadsheet is missing more than 3 entries or more than 3 are not reasonable.

Two or three of the entries are missing or not reasonable.

 One of the entries is missing or not reasonable.

The spreadsheet includes a reasonable heart rate of each team member before and after exercise.

5.  Students will be able to choose an appropriate graph to display their heart rates.
(Science 11.A.2c, Math 10.B.2b)

The graph doesn't show the before and after heart rates of each team member.

The graph is difficult to read and is not labeled correctly.

The graph is difficult to read and is not labeled correctly.

The graph show each team member's heart rate before and after exercise, is easy to read, and correctly labeled.

Bibliography

Animated Flags  http://animation-central.com/flags.htm

Globe background  http://www.aaabackgrounds.com/textures/misc/index.html

Sports graphics  http://www.aaaclipart.com/sports/index.html

Heart, stopwatch, graphs, and clipboard  - http://www.iconbazaar.com

Printer  http://mediabuilder.com

Olympic Flag courtesy of ITA's Flags of All Countries
used with permission.
 

Metric Olympics adapted from MATH + SCIENCE: A SOLUTION by the AIMS EDUCATION FOUNDATION; 1987.
This is one book in a series of resources available for elementary Science teachers. For years AIMS has been provided workshops and reproducible materials for use in your classroom. Call or write to them below to receive an updated list of resources for you as a teacher of Science and Math skills.
AIMS Education Foundation
P.O. Box 8120
Fresno, California 93747
(209) 255-4094 phone
(209) 255-6396 fax
 
 

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7/25/05