An Olympic Webquest
Introduction | Task | Process | Resources |Conclusion | Evaluation
Introduction
The 2014 Winter Olympics will be having it's Opening Ceremonies on Friday, February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. To understand why we have the Olympics, you must research the history behind the Ancient Olympics in Greece. There are many similarities and differences between the Olympics today and the very first Olympics held in 776 B.C. You will learn many new and interesting facts to share with your classmates and family.
The Task
Using the Internet, you will work with a partner to learn about the Olympics.
1. Read and collect facts about Ancient Greece and the first Olympic games.
2. Read and collect facts on 1 other Olympic game throughout the years. You will also research either the meaning of the Olympic rings or what is the meaning behind the "torch"?
2. Include at least (2) WOW facts. A WOW fact is information that no one else may know and will say, "WOW" when you tell them.
3. Using the information from your notes, each of you will write and type in WORD a 3-4 paragraph report about Ancient Greece and/or the first Olympic games. Make sure that includes your WOW facts. At the end of your word document list the events that athletes will be participating in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
4. Using the map of Ancient Greece, find where the first Olympics were held.
5. Using the world map or google map, find and label 1 countries where the Olympics have been held from the first Olympics to today. You will use the print screen for all of your maps and paste them into word.
6. To complete this webquest you must create an excel spreadsheet and turn that spreadsheet into a graph (line or bar graph) depicting how many of each medal the United States has won throughout the Winter Olympics. For extra credit you may create another excel spreadsheet with the top 10 countries and what medals they have won.
Just for Fun:
When you are finished with your research, you may get back on the Ancient Greeks: The Olympic Games website to complete the other activities, complete riddles and scrambled word activities about the Olympics and go on "cyberhunts"!
The Process
1. You will use the internet, Ancient Greece map, world map, Olympic Rings question cards, Reading comprehension worksheet to complete this webquest.
2. With a partner, use the Internet sites below to read and record your information.
Note: The **Links are easier to read and contain a lot of interesting information
Ancient Greece Information and answers can be found by looking at the "Olympics" link and the "Geography" link.
**The Story of the Winter Olympics Created by students--easy to read
**Ancient Greece (BBC Schools) Be sure to click on all of the topics: The Statue of Zeus, What was the Sacred Truce?, Events at the Games, Spectators, The Nastiest Event?, Women at Olympia
**Kids Library: The Ancient Olympic Games
**Olympic Rings The first two paragraphs
**50 Crazy Facts about the Olympics
Olympics Links MUCH MORE info
3. You might want to use the following to record your information.
Time Period and Location of the First Olympics
Purpose of the First Olympics/participants of the first Olympics
Sports that were a part of the the First Olympics
Events/Sports of the 2014 Winter Olympics
Olympic Rings-What they Mean
What is the meaning of the torch?
4. On your own, write and type a three to four paragraph report on the Olympic Rings paper. This should include ALL the information from your index cards plus two (2) "WOW" facts. Do NOT forget a topic sentence and a conclusion sentence. When finished, check your own work before handing in your report.
6. Work with a partner, to complete the map work but each of you must print screen your own map. Find and label the first Olympic games on the Ancient Greece map. Find and label one (1) other countries where the Olympics have been held in recent years on your world map. Print screen these maps onto a power point slide save as a JPEG and insert into your word document.
7. Complete the self-evaluation to see how well you think you've done.
Just For Fun:
Great Job! You are done!!!!
Resources
1. You will use the following internet sites:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Main_Page/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/the_olympic_games/
http://kids.librarypoint.org/ancient_olympic_games
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/olympics/
2. These sites are for fun when you are finished with your research:
http://www.primarygames.com/socstudies/olympics/games.htm
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/instructor/cyberhunt/0009/cyberhuntkids.htm
3. You might not need to visit each of the websites listed above. Read through the information and only use what you need!
Reproducibles
Report Form
Olympics Comprehension Sheet
Self-Evaluation Form found on Moodle
Conclusion
You have researched and taken notes about the Ancient Olympics and the Modern Olympics.
Now that you are an expert about the Olympics and its history, think about what sport you would want to compete in. Why?
Is there more you want to know about the Olympics? What about the Summer Olympics? Now you know where to look for cool facts and fun games!
What were the most interesting facts you learned about the Olympics?
What webquest should we do next?
Designed by: Mrs. Santiago