OLYMPICS:EVENTS

Franklin Watts downloadables for every child’s learning journey

THE OLYMPICS: EVENTS

THE OLYMPICS is a four-book series that gets behind the scenes at the world’s greatest sporting spectacle. In The Olympics: History travel back to ancient Greece where the Olympics began, and learn about the modern Olympics since their revival in 1896. For the facts behind the headlines, read The Olympics: Scandals . For fascinating facts and stats about the events go to The Olympics: Events , and wonder at the record-breakers in The Olympics: Records .

Worksheets There are two photocopiable worksheets and a printable pictogram guide to the London 2012 Olympics for children to complete. They stand alone, but using them in conjunction with the book will offer a more complete learning experience.

All sports have rules. Using the instructions and rules activity sheet, children can develop their understanding of a sport they are familiar with or investigate one that they have never heard of before.

The poetry writing activity links the history of the Olympics with writing a poem about an elite modern athlete. A classroom discussion about famous Olympic athletes will help to share the class knowledge of Olympic athletes.

Oscar Pistorius would make an interesting study, as a multi-medal winning Paralympic athlete who also competes in able-bodied competitions.

The pictogram guide lists all 26 official Olympic sports for London 2012 and gives a brief explanation of each. By completing the activity children will have a useful explanatory guide to the Summer Olympics. This activity could be adapted to learn about the sports included in the Winter Games or the Paralympics.

Learning objectives To develop research skills.

To develop poetry writing and instruction writing skills.

To promote class discussions.

To develop art and design skills.

Titles in the series:

Click on the PICTURE below for more information

THE OLYMPICS: EVENTS

published by Franklin Watts © Franklin Watts 2011

www.franklinwatts.co.uk

Name:

Date:

INSTRUCTIONS AND RULES

Athletes have to follow instructions and rules when they compete in events. Imagine that you need to explain how to take part in an Olympic event to someone who has never taken part in competitive sports before. Write them a list of instructions and rules for a sport you have done yourself, such as running or football, or carry out research on a more unusual sport – maybe curling or Paralympic goalball. We have helped you by writing out the first instruction.

1. Do warm-up exercises to prevent

THE OLYMPICS: EVENTS

published by Franklin Watts Š Franklin Watts 2011

injuries before the event.

www.franklinwatts.co.uk

Name:

Date:

PRIZE WINNING POETRY In ancient Greece, the winner of each Olympic event received an olive wreath.

In addition a poem, or ode, was written to honour their achievement. Called an epinicion ode, it usually mentioned the winner by name, the event and where it had taken place, and often linked the success of the athlete to a Greek god. Write your own poem about a fabulous modern Olympic or Paralympic winner.

THE OLYMPICS: EVENTS

published by Franklin Watts Š Franklin Watts 2011

www.franklinwatts.co.uk

Name:

Date:

Pictogram guide to the 2012 Olympics The sports included at each Olympic Games are agreed by the International Olympic Committee. There are 26 different sports at the Summer Games in London, 2012. Each one is represented by its own pictogram. Design your own pictograms or reproduce the official pictograms in the boxes provided.

Basketball – team sport played on an indoor court.

Cycling – BMX, road, track and mountain bike events.

Canoe and kayak – sprint and slalom events.

Football – team sport played on a football pitch.

Aquatics – diving, swimming, water polo and synchronised swimming events.

Archery – shooting at targets with a bow and arrows.

Athletics – track and field events including running, long and high jump, discus and javelin.

Badminton – sport using rackets to hit a shuttlecock back and forth on a court.

Boxing – a fight between two boxers, with strict rules.

Equestrian – horse-riding events.

Fencing – duel between opponents using fencing swords.

Gymnastics – events using equipment, such as a bar, trampoline or rings, as well as floor exercises.

Handball – team sport played on an indoor court.

Hockey – team sport played with hockey sticks on a hockey pitch.

Judo – martial art.

Modern pentathlon – pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse-riding and running competition.

Rowing – team and individual rowing events.

Sailing – one and two person sailing events, and windsurfing.

Shooting – shooting at targets using rifles and pistols.

Table tennis – sport using bats to hit a light ball across a net on a table tennis table.

Taekwondo – martial art.

Tennis – sport using rackets to hit a tennis ball back and forth on a court.

Triathlon – swimming, running and cycling competition.

Volleyball – team sport played on a court. Includes beach volleyball.

Weightlifting – contest to lift heavy weights attached to a bar.

Wrestling – contest where opponents aim to hold each other on the ground.

THE OLYMPICS: EVENTS

published by Franklin Watts © Franklin Watts 2011

www.franklinwatts.co.uk