If you didn’t catch the Olympics last night, let me give you a real quick recap. Nastia Liukin won the gold and Shawn Johnson won the silver in the woman’s individual all-around gymnastics competition and Michael Phelps won another gold medal.

If these games can cause adults to get super excited and pumped, imagine what they do for children. Thus, leading into my topic for the day: Olympic themed lesson plans.

Children learn best when they don’t know or think they are learning. They will get the most involved and stay focused when they are doing something they enjoy. Therefore, focusing back-to-school lesson plans around the Olympic games are a great way to spice up the classroom.

Creative Expression

• Have students make Olympic Badges or pins for the winter and summer games

• Have them design an Olympic Flag for your school’s Olympic Games

Social Studies

• Ask students if they know the Olympic Creed and the Olympic Motto

• Have students recite them

• Ask them to create a motto for your school’s Olympics

History

• Show pictures of the past and present Olympic games to get students started – with the objective of having students compare and contrast the modern and ancient Olympic Games

Reading

• Have each student write a short essay about their favorite Olympic event and their favorite athlete

• Then, call on volunteers to share their favorites with the class

Art

• Ask students if they know the history and meaning behind the Olympic rings

• Have students create a new symbol for the Olympics and write a brief explanation of the meaning behind their symbol

Olympic lesson plans can also be taken outside of the classroom and incorporated into games. Placing students into groups and having them choose their country and draw the flag is a great way to help them identify different country flags.

If you have any additional original Olympic lesson plans I encourage you to share them.