The Olympic Games

A Web Hut for 3rd Grade Reading and Social Studies

Designed by

Ms. Stinson
kstinson@auburn.wednet.edu

This web hunt was created to align with “The Olympic Games: Where Heroes Are Made”, a selection in the 3rd grade Harcourt Trophies reading curriculum.

Introduction

In this web hunt you will dig deeper to learn the history of the Olympic Games and maybe even predict the future!  You will have an opportunity to learn about many of the sports and events held in both the summer and winter Olympics.  So get ready for an excited adventure through the internet to learn about the Olympic Games! 

The Task

· Answer the following questions

· Briefly describe one of the Olympic events

· Create 3 new questions for your class to answer

· If you were an athlete, which event would you participate in and why?  Would you want to compete in the ancient or modern Olympic Games?  Please explain on the back side of your worksheet and give at least 3 reasons.

The Questions

Click on the Fto follow the link and learn more.  Use the information in the links provided to answer the questions.  You must record your answers on your worksheet.

Ancient Greece

1. When was the first Olympic Games that did not take place in Greece?  Where were the games held? F

2. How long is an Olympiad? F

3. What events are included in the ancient pentathlon? F

4. Were women allowed to compete in the ancient games?  How do you feel about this? F

5. What did the ancient Olympic winners receive? F

Modern Games

1. What event begins the Olympic Games? F

2. What is the Olympic motto? F

3. What events are included in the modern pentathlon? F

4. Where are the 2008 Summer Olympics being held? How many days left until the games begin?  F

5. Who was the first American woman to win three gold medals in the Olympics?  What childhood disease did she overcome to achieve this? F

6. What are the names of the 5 Olympic mascots for 2008?  Which is your favorite and why? F

7. What do modern Olympic winners receive? F

8. What is the difference between track events and field events? F

9. What do the athletes promise when they take the Olympic oath? F

10. Name two ways the ancient games were different from the modern Olympics. F

The Links

Use the following links to help you answer all the questions and decide which Olympic event you like best.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/athens_games/modern.htm

http://www.ict.mic.ul.ie/websites/2002/Eilis_Faherty/events.htm#T

http://en.beijing2008.cn/37/03/column211990337.shtml

http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/olympics/olympics.htm

http://www.janecky.com/olympics/index.html

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/index.html

http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/primer_frmst.htm

http://ftp.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/olympics/preview/intro.html

http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=2263

http://www.olympic-museum.de/

Evaluation

Gold Medal– All questions are answered in complete sentences with correct capitalization, spelling and punctuation. 

Silver Medal– All questions are answered, but there may be some capitalization, spelling, or punctuation.

Bronze Medal– Questions are not answered completely, or the errors make the writing difficult to read.

Credits & References

Background from http://www.ict.mic.ul.ie/websites/2002/Eilis_Faherty/events.htm#T

Some questions and links taken from http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/instructor/cyberhunt/0009/cyberhuntkids.htm