So, You Want to Host the Olympics!
A Webquest for Middle School
Susie Highley
INTRODUCTION
It is time to award the Summer Olympic Games for the year 2012. Your task is to make a presentation so convincing that the International Olympic Committee will select your country as host for the games. The committee wants to know not only what cities or areas will be involved, but what preliminary plans you have for the opening and closing ceremonies.
You are to create a PowerPoint presentation about your country, complete with customs, history, geography, points of interest, and photographs. After each person has shared his/her research within the group, you should also be able to develop a choice of a mascot and logo. Optional aspects that could gain favor with the International Olympic Committee might be a motto/theme, possible souvenirs, and information on the sports you propose to include. The culminating event for this unit will be viewing the presentations from each of the countries seeking to host the games.
Resources Evaluation Conclusion Teacher Notes
Each country will have four representatives, each with specific responsibilities. Decide among you who will assume each role. Remember, as you research, you may find valuable information to share with another member of your group. There is a check list for each team member.
Public Relations Manager:
This person is ultimately in charge of the PowerPoint presentation. All committee members are responsible for content and graphics in their area, but this person will make sure the presentation is complete and flows logically.
Cultural Researcher:
This committee member will investigate such areas as native dance, costumes, music, national holidays, traditions, and more. Is there a sport native or popular in your country that could be added as a demonstration sport? Don't forget that your national anthem could also be a part of your PowerPoint presentation.
Historical Researcher:
One role for this person will be to determine what
parts of the story of your nation will be included in the opening
ceremonies. What major events have shaped your country and its
people? Have the Olympics been held in your country before? On your continent? The opening ceremonies also reflect
a bit of Olympic history, from ancient
Geographer:
What cities are available to serve as hosts? What facilities (such as arenas, stadiums, lakes, rivers) are currently available, or could be modified? It would be beneficial to include some maps in the presentation. Are there any challenges in the area of transportation? Is there a large airport? A railroad system? What other points of interest are there in your country that would be attractive to tourists and participants?
Task Process Evaluation Conclusion
World Fact Book 2000: Great Source for Country Information
Events of the Ancient Olympics Interesting Olympic Facts
The International Olympic Committee Britannica Encyclopedia
Thorough Site from the Sydney Olympics Olympic Museum
Mini-Lesson on the Ancient Olympics Olympics and Politics/History
Logos & Mascots for
Unsuccessful Bidders:
(Be Sure to Check out Toronto!)
In addition, there are many comprehensive books and videos about the Olympics. David Wallechinsky (books, such as Complete Book of the Summer Olympics", "The Complete Book of the Winter Olympics") and Bud Greenspan (film) are experts in this field.
Task Process Evaluation Conclusion
This link will take you to the rubric for group and individual evaluation.
Do you think your country will be awarded the Olympics? After all presentations, the "International Olympic Committee" of your school will be voting? What new ideas will you have the next time you view the Olympics? Would you ever want to attend the Olympics? Do you think you could ever be a participant?
This lesson could be adapted for different grade levels, for winter or summer Olympics, and even different years! As an Olympics approaches, the number of websites and possible lessons will multiply exponentially!
A further extension for your school would be to hold your own Opening Ceremony, with different classrooms representing different countries. Many schools and/or teacher teams also produce Olympic competitions in various subjects and events.
Here are some additional links with Olympic-themed lessons, many of them inter-disciplinary and hands-on.
Mr. Donn's Units on the Ancient Olympics
Olympics and Politics Time Line
Lessons Plans to Adapt from 2000 Olympics
The Whyfiles: Sport Science Meets the Olympics
Task Process Resources Evaluation Conclusion
QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, OR BROKEN LINKS??
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Last updated March 2005 by Trisha Armstrong