One of the things Charlie misses the most in school is the last day of School when they host a Field Day. I have been thinking about putting together a Field Day for Charlie and his friends. Then I remembered the Summer Olympics and thought it would be fun to put together our own Olympics Day. We can use the ideals below or come up with our own games to play. I would like to invite you to join us in our Homeschool Summer Olympics!!
The OLYMPICS are a CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP, UNITY AND PEACE…
If you are planning an “Olympic Themed Day, Week or Month” convey to children in your program– that this is an opportunity for Fun and Games, but most importantly, the activities are to teach our children about the Olympics.
SUMMER OLYMPICS:
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be held in Rio, Friday, August 5th, 2016 through Sunday, August 21st, 2016
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE OLYMPIC RINGS?
The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions, used alone, in one or in five different colors, which are, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red. The Olympic symbol (the Olympic rings) expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes throughout the world at the Olympic Games.
EVENTS played at the SUMMER Olympics?
Archery, Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Canoe/Kayak, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Softball, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling
OLYMPIC FLAGS
FYI…
The five colored rings on a white field form the Olympic Flag.
The flag adopted in 1914, but the first Olympic Flag was flown were Antwerp, 1920. It is hosted at each celebration.
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Have your children create an OLYMPICS FLAG (or flags) to fly during your Olympics. Once your event is over they can use the Flag to decorate your classroom.
Explain to the children:
1. The five rings (circles) are interlocking on a white background.
The white background symbolizes peace.
The colors of red, blue, green, yellow, and black, were chosen because each nation has at least one of these colors in its national flag.
2. The five rings represent the five major land areas of the world – (show this land area on a map or globe). The five interlocking rings represent the continents of Africa, Australia, Europe, The Americas, and Asia.
The rings are interlocked to show friendship among the nations.
Charlie and I will be designing 2 Flags for our Olympics the actual Flag that is used in the Olympics and then one of our own of our design.
Have your children create an OLYMPIC TORCH
Materials:
An empty plastic small drink bottle
Aluminum foil
Scissors
Red/yellow/orange paper
Sticky tape.
Sandpaper
Cut the bottom from the drinks bottle and discard. You may need to smooth the edges for young children. Wrap the bottle in aluminum foil, tape down any loose sides creating your torch.
To make the FLAME
Cut flame shaped pieces from the paper and tape to the inside of the torch. Start with small pieces at the edge that get bigger as you work.
The TORCH PART can also be made from paper towel roll tubes–and covered in tin-foil…
CROWNS FOR OLYMPIC WINNERS/PLAYERS
OLIVE LEAF CROWN #1
You will need:
Green construction paper
Glue stick
Sticky tape
Scissors
Cut a strip of paper about 1 1/2 inches wide. Measure it around the child’s head and cut to size.
Cut out MANY leaf shapes and glue them along the length of the strip—leaving a couple of inches at either end. Tape the two ends of the band together.
FYI:
The first Olympic games held in 776 BC. The olive tree played a crucial role in this event.
The OLYMPIC Winners awarded a crown woven from olive branches.
The first Olympic torch was a burning olive branch.
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LAUREL WREATH CROWN #2
Materials:
Pipe cleaners, masking tape, crayons, markers or paint.
Make a leaf template; trace and cut out the needed number of leaves-
Use a string to measure your head.
1. Color the leaves on both sides green.
2. Tape a blade to the end of the pipe cleaner and secure it with tape. Tape leaves half way down one pipe cleaner.
3. Take another pipe cleaner and place a leaf on its end. Then twist it together with the other pipe cleaner.
4. Add leaves half way down the pipe cleaner.
Use the string to measure the pipe cleaners. When the pipe cleaners length matches the string length add a leaf at the end. Twist the pipe cleaner to make a circle and secure with tape.
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Create an OLYMPIC GAME MASCOT Wenlock and Mandeville~ mascots for the 2012 Olympics starting July 27 in London
Gather the materials for your class/school/program mascots.
Put out different art materials such as:
Styrofoam shapes, pipe cleaners, toilet paper tubes, tin foil, googly eyes, paint, spangles, scraps of equipment, etc. Possibilities are endless) With the children make a list of the qualities a mascot should have.
• Have children design and make Olympic mascots for your school or program.
• Make your character, so it has all of the merits of an Olympic mascot.
• Use a variety of art materials to make the mascots unique.
• Give the mascot a name.
• Display the mascots in your room.
FYI: OLYMPIC MASCOT HISTORY
Since the first mascot in Olympic history made its appearance at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, Olympic Mascots have become a central element of the Olympic image. As a unique and popular image full of vitality, a mascot can materialize the Olympic spirit, communicate the concepts of each Olympic Games, promote the history and culture of the host city and create a festive atmosphere for the Games. Mascots act as a significant vehicle for communicating the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially children, and youth. Whatever shapes they have, they fundamentally share a creative rationale, that is, the mascots must be able to convey the theme of the Olympic Games, showcase the distinctive geographical features, history, and culture unique to the host city.
(Click here to learn the symbolism of this years mascots– (you will be taken off of Kid Activities site)
Here are tips for SUCCESSFUL OLYMPICS GAMES DAY.
ORGANIZE TEAMS FOR PLAY BEFORE THE BIG DAY.
1. Plan the Olympic Games for the children. (Lots of games on Kid Activities!!!)
2. Decide how many teams you will have.
3. Divide the kids into the teams.
4. Have each group decorate a banner with their team name and symbol.
5. Meet with anyone helping you with the event regarding who is to do what.
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OLYMPICS DAY
HAVE AN OPENING CEREMONY AND OR PARADE–This will kick off the whole event.
• Explain what games will be involved in the competitions, how competitors are expected to win and lose graciously, and point out how much fun the day will be.
• Organize the children to march around an area holding their banners. Play the Olympic theme or the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
DURING PLAY
Post the rules of the games and review them with the children and place signs where events located.
END WITH REFRESHMENTS. MOST OF ALL…HAVE FUN!
HOLD A CLOSING CEREMONY:
Everyone’s a winner!
Call each child’s name, and pass out medals, certificates, and prizes
LET THE GAMES BEGIN Part 1! Some ideas to consider.
Set up a COLORED RING TOSS
HAVE a HULA-HOOP CONTEST
A HAMMER THROW
Need: Small paper bag, newspaper, string
Stuff a small paper bag with newspaper. Tie it off with a 12″ long string. Hold the end of the string. Spin around 3 times. Let go. Watch how far the hammer travels. Record distances. The longest distance wins.
JAVELIN THROW
Need: soda straws, waste paper basket, tape
Tape 4 straws together end to end. Mark a starting line behind which all players must stand. Place a wastepaper basket 5 feet from the starting line. Throw straws into the wastebasket. Give each player 5turns. The winner is the child who gets the straws into the basket the most times.
STANDING BROAD STRETCH
Mark a starting line with tape. Start with the toes behind the line. Take one giant step. Measure the step. The winner is the one who took the biggest step.
SHOT PUT FOR DISTANCE
Make a ball out of aluminum foil. Hold the ball in the palm of one hand. Instruct children to place that hand next to their ear and then push the shot into the air extending their arms. They can not move their feet. Record distances; and the longest distance wins.
DISCUS THROW
Use a Frisbee to play discus…or…
Tape two heavy foam plates together. Hold the “discus” like a flying disk. Throw away from the waist. Record distances. The longest distance wins
PLAY BADMINTON
You can have competitions involving pairs and singles.
You will need a judge to determine if shots are in or out in the event there is a question.
Use the official badminton rules or make your own that are consistent for every team.
SOCCER
Set goals at least 15 feet apart. Goals can be as simple as a rope anchored in the ground.
Play the best two out of three games.
Keep scores for medals and prizes.
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You can you play any of the games mentioned below such as:
SOFTBALL, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, HANDBALL, HOCKEY, TENNIS OR VOLLEYBALL? They’re all summer Olympic Games!!!
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TIP:
In preparation for YOUR Summer Olympics you will need:
• Stopwatches
• Tape measures
• Whistles for the game officials
• Equipment that each game required
BEFORE the GAMES Begin …HAVE KIDS SAY THE OLYMPIC OATH!
Every four years the world celebrates as the athletes take an oath
In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams.
Have your kids put up their right hand and say an oath/promise at the beginning of your games.
A simplified version for the kids to say before THEIR events are.
“I promise to follow the rules of the games…
To be fair.
To be a good sport and honor my teams!
I’ll remember to play for fun!
Remember this “IS A GOOD PHOTO OP!”
Gather the children with their Olympic flags and medals and make a group picture or individual pictures before and at the closing ceremony after the games. Make sure someone has a camera and video camera during the events!
SNACKS
MAKE OLYMPIC RINGS COOKIE SNACK
Need:
Five Home-made or purchased “ring” cookies (round cookies with a hole in the center) per child.
“Writing frosting” in red, green, black, blue and yellow or add food coloring to white frosting.
Decorate each cookie with a different color frosting. Lay out the cookies on a plate in the pattern of the Olympic rings. Enjoy and Eat!
INCLUDE A “FRIENDSHIP SNACK”…
TWO FRIENDSHIP SNACKS
#1. Have each child bring in a half cup of their favorite snack (You can offer parents suggestion at this point: cereal, raisins, crackers, etc.) When you get all of the meals— mix them all in a huge bowl and serve them for a snack.
Talk about how DIFFERENT THINGS GO TOGETHER to make something delicious and helps to get the ideas of diversity, sharing, cooperation, and trying new things across.
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#2. Do the same as above, however, USE FRUIT instead of snack mixes.
1. Have each child bring in one can or piece of fresh fruit
2. Talk about how different things go together, to make something good. Which helps the children get the ideas of diversity, sharing, cooperation, and trying new things across.
3. Donate any left-over cans to a shelter
JUST A FYI SAFETY REMINDER!
TAKE A GULP OF WATER…
Use caution when it’s hot outside, especially for active kids.
In high temperatures, kids don’t sweat as much as adults do, so it’s harder for them to cool off and makes them more at risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion.
WHEN IT’S HOT OUTSIDE and kids are playing sports or even actively playing head off problems by making sure they DRINK FLUIDS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER Each ACTIVITY.
Tip: One ounce equals about one “gulp” therefore four gulps are needed for every 15 to 20 minutes
