Are you ready for the Olympics?

Well, with another school year ending I took some time off to relax and re-energize.  I also found time to read. 
Now that I'm back.... I've been gearing up for an Olympic themed unit.  I LOVE to watch the Olympics.  I think its because of the competitiveness of the athletes and those heart-warming "Cinderella Stories" that are shared about many of the athletes.  I am looking forward to the Summer games beginning.   Listed below are some things I found to use with an Olympic themed unit.  This would be perfect if you were teaching summer school, or like me... starting another school year at the beginning of August ( before the Olympics end).

Here is the perfect companion to use in reading with your 2nd and 3rd graders or use as a read aloud as well to go along with the Olympic theme: I am currently working on a literature study unit to use with this book.  I hope to have it posted to TPT by this weekend. 

Another great read is :

Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph became the World's Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull and David Diaz.

While researching things to use with my 3rd graders, I found some great free resources.  Listed below are some fabulous power point slides that introduce the summer Olympics in London, and the first slide simply goes over the history and origin of the Olympics.  Simply click on the photos below to be taken to the free power point download.

1. Power point slides on the origin of the Olympic games

2. Power point slides about the 2012 Olympics Games in London

I also found two fabulous internet sites that are kid friendly and perfect for using as a research tool or simply to find out more information about the Olympics.  There are even pictures to color and Olympic games students can play on these sites.  Very cool!  They are listed below.  Simply click on them to go directly to the web page.
1. www.enchantedlearning.com/olympics/
2. http://www.primarygames.com/socstudies/olympics/olympics.htm
3.  This next site includes information about the athletes and the countdown to the 2012 Summer Olympics.  A medal count will also be included on this site once the Olympics get underway.
www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/index

Since the new school year begins again for my school district the first of August, the Summer Olympics will still be going on.   I created an Olympic themed unit.  It is called Olympics- Olympic Themed Activities for Language Arts and Math.  Here is what is included in this 52 page unit:

1. How the Olympics began- comprehension sheet
2. Olympic flag craft
3. All about The Olympic torch- comprehension sheet
4. Olympic torch craft
5. Language Stations ( there are 4)
a. Olympic Words Alphabetical Order Sort Race
b. Amazing Antonym Match Up
c. Homophones Pair Up
D Making Words Activity ( 2 of these)

6. Math Stations ( there are 4)
a. Time for a swim relay ( review telling time)
b. Fast Paced Fraction Game
c. Mad Money Dash
D. Fact Family Race


If you are interested to learn more about this unit, simply click on the picture above. It is $3.50 in my TPT store. 





Also, I couldn't leave without sharing a few photos of what we've been up to since school ended for the year last week.  I LOVE summers with my kiddos.

 

One of our little sluggers....

First time pitching in a game....

Birthday Party.....

Playing at the park....

St. Louis Cardinal game... of course

The Gang... at the ballpark

One of our Cardinal favorites....  Mr. Freese himself

Have a fabulous week!  I would love to hear any ideas/suggestions for Olympic themed activities to use in the classroom.