|
2010
Olympic Torch Relay: How to Create An
Innovative Physical Education Unit
by: Kim
Nygaard, Peninsula Heritage
School Elementary/Secondary
With another Olympics
just around the corner, it’s a
great time to discuss sports and sportsmanship.
And what a better way than in PE classes!
Even though the Olympics are not until
February, it’s not too early to
begin. Canada has one of the most inspiring
Olympic Torch relays. It begins in Olympia,
Greece, and finally ends up in Vancouver,
Canada.
 The
Olympic Torch Relay is a wonderful event
because the torch travels through all
the territories and provinces including
over 1,000 communities throughout the
entire Canadian Region. The vision is
for all Canadians to have the chance
to experience the Olympic spirit. The
Olympic Relay is a great event to bring
the Games to everyone.
Usually the Torch relay legs are about
8 kilometers. This year, each leg is
only 300 meters giving over 10,000 runners
the opportunity to carry the torch.
Canadian organizers have created an
exciting program for educators. I looked
through the materials and adapted them
into my PE curriculum. We started last
week, and I can’t believe how
successful this program is in just 1
week. Because we have limited time in
our PE classes, I extended the program
into recess, and before and after school.
All of our staff, as well as the principal
and our parents are running the Olympic
Path.
We are also continuing it through our
Metric Week, and what a great opportunity
to teach the metric system (kilometers,
meters, etc.,) with the distance the
torch is being carried. The 2010 Olympic
Torch Relay will cover over 45,000 Kilometers
(over 28,000 miles) throughout Canada:
A journey that will run for 106 continuous
days.
When I was organizing my program, I
tried to think of ways that I could
incorporate this event into my curriculum,
and of course make it fun for the students.
First, I’d urge you to visit www.olympicschool.ca/torchrelay.
This web site will give you an idea
of where I went with my program. I’ve
since discovered that the exciting adventure
my students are going to go through
has given me enthusiasm and energy to
plan.
 At
the end of our Torch Relay we will have
our
own version of the McDonald’s
sponsored Passport to Play (http://www.passport2play.com/)
celebrating 10 countries in a multicultural
event. The official Olympic opening
ceremonies start on Friday February
12th, and I plan to have our own finish
of the torch relay, opening ceremony,
and passport to play the following week.
The way I set up our torch relay was
by
making individual cards placed in
library card holders. I knew that we
would not be able to keep up with the
distance the runners in Canada will
be running every day of the week, so
I estimated and came up with 106 stars
need to be completed to accomplish the
course. The cards you see have 10 stars
on each. We estimate that 10 laps around
our field is 1 mile or 1.6 kilometer.
So each card is worth 10 stars or 1
mile. Student will be challenged to
complete 11 cards. The final card has
only 6 stars. So in reality the students
will be running and completing just
over 10 miles. I also did the following:
What’s been fun is watching parents
come before and after school and running
with their children. Teachers are running
with their classes and even the principal
comes out to run.
 I
am also adding some individual and class
competitive challenges to this event.
The first student to complete the 106
stars (laps) will be the Peninsula Heritage
Torch Winner. There’s also a challenge
to be the first student to complete
the laps in each class. All students
achieve the 106 lap target in each class
will be named in my PE newsletter, have
their photo taken, and receive a certificate.
At the end of the Olympic Run on February
11th the class that has run the farthest
will receive a pizza/ice cream party.
WOW! Student enthusiasm is already exploding.
After week one our school has run almost
500 miles. Many children completed their
106 stars (laps). I keep tally of where
each class is on a bulletin board display
of the Olympic torch run. I have also
added the activities from the school
kit into my physical education classes
that engage students in learning about
the torch run. It seems that our track
is busy all day long!
I mentioned earlier that the torch
will be going through 1,000 communities
in Canada. In the Canadian program materials
there’s a list of exercises that
are usually 1 minute long and cover
one community. You can plan ways to
incorporate these activities into your
lessons according to your style. There
are also print-outs that you can use,
and even a “Carry the Flame”
workout station and game.
I am having so much fun, and the positive
comments have been overwhelming! With
the official Olympic Torch Relay beginning
in October this is a wonderful time
to celebrate the 2010 Olympics with
your entire school. Setting up your
own program, and having your school
follow the torch route, is a stimulating
learning experience. It’s also
a great way for students to learn much
more about a neighboring country so
close to their home – Canada!
If you should have any questions, please
feel free to contact me anytime. I would
love to share my enthusiasm with you.
Good Luck going for the GOLD!
Kim Nygaard
Kim_nygaard@msn.com
comments:
One parent said "What a better
way to exercise than at school with
my child and his friends. I love the
olympics, and what a great way for the
children to understand the concept of
the torch by participating in it."
The principal said "Its amazing
to see what the inspiration of the Olympics
can do for children...at PHS we have
parents and students walking morning
noon and evening...what a grand idea
from our own Mrs. Nygaard."
Patricia Cailler
|
