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Let the Games Begin!

Basing a health class on the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, opening on February 12, in Vancouver Canada, provides teachers with the opportunity to motivate students to start a fitness program or to learn the value of getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Students who appreciate sporting games will be excited that a current event has been incorporated into their health class. Even those students who prefer not to play a team sport may appreciate the beauty and grace of figure skating, or the athleticism and skill of snowboarding or freestyle skiing. Those students who enjoy sports such as hockey can learn about teamwork and sportsmanship.

The 2010 Vancouver Games web site, www.vancouver2010.com, is the primary source of information for the 2010 Vancouver Games, and the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games. This site 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 prepared for previous summer and winter Olympic Games are available at http://www.vancouver2010.com/education-programs/. However, educational lesson plans specific to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics are not available. Other web sites providing Olympic educational resources include:

International Paralympic Committee (IPC). This is the governing body of the Paralympic Movement. 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. This is the official site of the Olympics and the International Olympic Committee, the governing body of the Olympics. 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. Videos, photo galleries, and athlete bios are available, as well as general information and history about The Games. 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

To start a class discussion, bring a few athlete bios to class. Be sure to include athletes competing in a variety sports and include athletes from the Paralympic Games. Encourage students to read the bios and think about what physical activities they might enjoy. Remind students that it takes daily practice to become an Olympic athlete. However, starting a basic fitness plan does not require the intense practice an Olympic athlete endures.

Teachers who want to emphasize the importance of getting regular physical activity can focus assignments on learning how Olympic athletes train for their sport and the perseverance it takes to achieve those goals. However, it's important to remind students that they should think of the Olympics as an inspiration to get or stay fit, and stress that every student is not asked to commit to training at the same pace as an Olympic athlete. Just 60 minutes of activity a day most days of the week will result in fitness for most students. Most importantly, encourage students to commit to a fitness plan to maintain health and well-being throughout their lives

For more information about how to incorporate the Olympic Games into your classroom curriculum, please read our Professional Development article, Bringing the Olympic Spirit to the Classroom.