Curated OER
The Birth of the Ancient Games: The Olympics
This exercise includes a lengthy article on the history of the Olympics as well as a map of Ancient Greece. The last page includes 15 reading comprehension questions about the passage. A fairly thorough look at this topic - geared toward...
Curated OER
Light the Torch: The First Modern Olympic Games
Explore many aspects of the first modern Olympic Games in your classroom.
Time Warp Trio
My Big Fat Greek Olympics
The Olympic Games are indeed a significant and far-reaching cultural component in our international community today, but from where do they originate? Where do our traditions stem from, and how do we choose the sports that constitute...
ProCon
Olympics
Are the Olympic Games a benefit for their host countries and cities? Scholars decide for themselves in preparation for a class debate or discussion. After reading a brief background and overview of the topic, pupils read the top three...
Curated OER
Origin of the Modern Summer Games
Where did the Olympic Summer Games originate? The class takes a look at ancient origins of modern Olympic games. They research the Olympics and write a compare and contrast essay that describes how the Olympic Games have changed since...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Victor's Virtue: A Cultural History of Sport
Pupils explore the meaning of the ancient Greek word aretê and the place of virtue in historical athletic competition and modern sports. They begin by reading an informational text on the goal of sports in education, and then...
Curated OER
The Ancient Olympic Games
Sixth graders complete a KWL chart about the Olympic Games. They watch a PowerPoint presentation about ancient Olympics. Each student completes a worksheet during the PowerPoint. Students write a summary of the information presented...
Education World
Every Day Edit - Modern Olympic Games
In this everyday editing activity, learners correct grammatical mistakes in a short paragraph about the modern Olympic games. The errors range from punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and spelling.
Curated OER
Origin of the Modern Olympic Games
Students using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the modern and ancient Olympic games. They write essays and construct timelines about the games. Students, using various items, create tools for a new Olympic game and write the...
Federal Reserve Bank
The Legacy of the Olympics: Economic Burden or Boon?
Do the economic benefits of major sporting events such as the Olympics or the World Cup outweigh the expected costs? Using fundamental economic terms, discover the explicit and implicit costs and benefits for countries that host these...
Curated OER
Ancient Greece
Students explore the origins of modern language. In this etymology lesson, students discuss the cultural influences of Ancient Greece on modern society. Students design and complete charts that demonstrate the original and contemporary...
Curated OER
Learning From the Past
Coming up on the Olympics? Be sure your middle schoolers understand the dynamic and ancient history of this global tradition. They begin by recalling traditions parents have passed down, considering their relevance and ways they might be...
Curated OER
Origin of the Modern Summer Games
Students discover the origin of the modern summer Olympic Games. In this history lesson, students compare and contrast the modern and ancient Olympic Games as they create a timeline.
Curated OER
Winter Olympic Games Lesson Plans
While the world watches the Winter Olympic Games, children can learn about the history, and traditions of this great event.
Royal Society of Chemistry
The 400m Event—Chemistry and Sport
How do Olympic runners succeed in physically demanding events like the 400-meter dash? Physiology scholars explore the relationship between acids, bases, and the muscular system through a scenario-driven activity. The activity focuses on...
Curated OER
The Sporting Life
Students read and discuss "When the Games Began: Olympic Archaeology," examining the significance of the first Olympic Games in Greece. They research and reenact scenes from these Games and reflect on the Games' original importance.
ProCon
Drug Use in Sports
The ancient Greeks used performance enhancing drugs, such as opium juice, when they participated in the original Olympic Games. Pupils research a website with debate topics to decide if athletes' use of such drugs in modern sports is...
Tufts University
Tufts University: The Ancient Olympics
Here at the Tufts University you can find a wealth of information regarding the Ancient Olympics. Content compares the ancient Olympics to our modern games, provides a tour of Ancient Olympia, defines the "Olympic spirit," and includes...
Tufts University
Tour of Olympia: Ancient Olympic Events
Like the modern sport of wrestling, an athlete needed to throw his opponent on the ground, landing on a hip, shoulder, or back for a fair fall.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Olympics 2004 Treasure Hunt
This lesson is centered around an Olympics 2004 Treasure Hunt designed to give students an opportunity to learn about the history of the Olympic games and to generate interest in the modern Olympic games. Students are able to see the...
Other
Revista Eletronica: Grecia Antiga (In Portuguese)
A comprehensive collection of digital artifacts and articles on Greek culture from antiquity to modernity. Many aspects of Greece's development, from philosophy, mathematics, writings, medicine to language, are covered. Check out "Quid...
Tufts University
Perseus: The Greek City States and Religious Festivals
Discusses the difference between modern and ancient Greek Olympic games, and goes into depth about the religious festivals that took place. Additional links to related material.
Read Works
Read Works: The Olympics Then and Now
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read two charts with information about the Olympics in ancient Greece and in modern times. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.