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Bringing the Olympic Spirit to the Classroom

The Olympic Games provide a great opportunity to teach students valuable health skills, such as Goal Setting. The Olympic and Paralympic Games can help you to motivate students to commit to maintaining a personal fitness plan. Although the catalyst for studying the Olympics in your health class is the beginning of the 2010 Games, remind students that getting regular physical activity is important all the time, and that they do not need to join a team sport to become fit. Walking, swimming, and riding a bicycle are all great ways to get fit and stay healthy. Here are a few activities and ideas you can use to incorporate the spirit of the Olympic Games into your curriculum:

Research an Olympian

One way to get students to think about their fitness goals, is to learn about the 2010 athletes, and their path to become an Olympic athlete. Ask students to choose one or two athletes from different Olympic sporting events and learn about their backgrounds. Invite students to think about the following questions as they research athlete biographies:

  • What motivated the Olympians to become athletes?
  • What type of goals did they set?
  • How hard do they train for their sport?
  • How do they persevere when training becomes difficult?

Students can find information on current 2010 Olympic athletes at the USA Olympic Team web site, the 2010 Vancouver Games web site, the International Paralympic Committee web site, and the International Olympic Committee site.

Have students think of a realistic, personal fitness goal they would like to reach and explain why they want to reach it. Invite students to think about the following questions when creating their goals:

  • What steps will I take to reach my goal?
  • What obstacles must I overcome to achieve my goal?
  • What type of special equipment will I need to pursue the sport?
  • What type of financial commitment is required for the sport or activity?
  • Does the area where I live provide an opportunity to pursue the sport?

Encourage students to write their goals in a journal and check their progress throughout the term.

Interview an Athlete

Invite a school athlete or coach to the classroom to talk about their sport and what it takes to become an athlete. Prior to the visit, ask students to write down questions they want to ask. During the visit, the conversation should be focused on setting a fitness goal. You may also want to ask your guest to describe the perseverance it took to achieve that goal. After the visit, invite students to think about a health or fitness goal they want to reach and write down the steps it will take to achieve their goal:

  1. Set a realistic goal and write it down.
  2. Write down the steps to reach the goal.
  3. Find someone who will help you and support you.
  4. Check your progress and make adjustments as necessary.
  5. Reward yourself when you reach your goal.

Advocate for Healthier Schools

Motivate the students in your school to become physically fit in 2010. Incorporate some these ideas to advocate for a healthier school:

  • Sponsor a "Family Fun and Fitness Night" where students can bring family members and enjoy an evening of physical fitness by playing basketball, learning karate, dancing, or doing aerobics.
  • Host a "Walk to School Day" where students and faculty meet at a centralized location and walk to school together. Encourage students’ parents and guardians to walk with students.
  • Encourage students and teachers to create a school fitness program and commit to lose weight by the end of the school year.

In addition to the abovementioned ideas, several web sites provide educational resources based on the ideals of the Olympic Games and will motivate students to become physically fit:

The 2010 Vancouver Games web site, www.vancouver2010.com, includes a brief history of the Olympic Games, comprehensive schedule and event information, athlete bios, classroom guides for teachers, video clips, and photos. Educational resources can be found directly by clicking the link, http://www.vancouver2010.com/education-programs/.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The 2010 Paralympic Games will take place in Vancouver, March 12-21, 2010. The web site offers general information about the Paralympics, biographical information on current and former athletes, and educational information schools can use to teach awareness of the Paralympics.

International Olympic Committee. The site provides general information on all winter and summer Olympic sporting events, past medal winners, and information about the locations and nations involved in each Olympic Games.

USA Olympic Team. The site provides news and information specific to the USA Olympic team. Educational resources from past Olympic Games, as well as lessons based on Olympic ideals are available by clicking on the direct link: http://www.teamusa.org/resources/u-s-olympic-education/materials-for-teachers.html


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