Activity Description
The activities in the Olympic Games online unit can be used with grades 1�10.

History of the Games
In this introduction to the Olympic Games, students will read, look, and listen to the historic sights and sounds of the Olympics. With Grolier Encyclopedia Online's article on the history of the games, combined with an interactive, visual slideshow of the games, students gather a thorough knowledge of the Olympic Games.

In My Backyard
After learning how the location of each Olympic's is chosen, students must decide on an argument for why the Olympic Committee should choose their hometown for the next Olympic Games. Students are encouraged to learn how to support an argument, and write and present a speech. Through the Writing with Writers: Speech Writing activity, students speeches can be recorded and published online.

Olympics in the News
Scholastic News presents this special report on the Olympic Games being held in Athens from August 13-29, 2004. Check back daily in August for reports from the games.

Get in the Game
Students can pick one of several interactive activities to show their Olympic know-how and spirit.

It's Greek to Me
Students can enter the Olympic Games either in the Archery (easier) or Discus Throwing (harder) events. Each round has students learning the meaning of Greek prefixes and roots. Applying these Greek basics to English words, students can make it into the winner's circle. They can print out their results for teacher assessment.

Be a Reporter
Send students to the Olympic Games as a journalist. Students go through a step-by-step process, writing headlines, bylines, and even captions to create a printable newspaper article for teacher assessment.

Olympic Spirit Postcards
Be creative with these Olympic Spirit postcards. Pick a favorite sport, a colorful background and interesting objects to decorate your postcard, add an inspiring message, and send it to a parent, a friend, or even an Olympic athlete!

More to Explore
Research Starter: The Olympic Games
Start students on their research papers with the Research Starter: The Olympic Games. These in-depth articles from Grolier Encyclopedia Online gives students the research direction without having them search all over the internet.

Global Trek: Greece
Take a virtual trip to Greece with Global Trek. Students can learn more about the history of the ancient Greeks, meet kids who live in Greece today, and write a travel journal about their experiences.

Lesson Goals:

Scholastic's Online Activities are designed to support the teaching of standards-based skills. While participating in the Olympic Games project, students become proficient with several of these skills.

1. Use Web technology to learn about ancient Greece and the Olympic Games.
2. Build vocabulary skills.
3. Explore the history of the Olympic Games.
4. Make connections between Greek and English.
5. Make and record a persuasive speech.
6. Write a newspaper article on the 2004 Olympics.
7. Create connections between the 2004 Olympics and past Olympic Games.
8. Understand the contributions of ancient Greece to today's world.

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