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"GOING FOR
THE GOLD IN BEJIING"
AN OLYMPIC WEBQUEST FOR GRADE SEVEN AND EIGHT STUDENTS
Written by M. Desrosiers
Earl Grey School - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Introduction: This summer, all eyes will be on Bejiing, China as athletes from around the world gather to participate in the XXIX Olympic Games. The purpose of this webquest is for students to learn more about the history of the Olympic Games and, in particular, the depth and scope of Canadian involvement in both past and present day Olympic Games.
Task: You have been asked by the Manitoba Teacher's Society and the Canadian Olympic Association to design and create a website that Canadian students might use to learn all about the Olympics. To accomplish this task you will work in groups of four. Each member of the group will be required to play a role in order to gather and organize the information needed to build a website of Olympic caliber!
Process:
1. You may make your own groups and
will be expected to work together cooperatively to design and create your
Olympic website.
2. Read over the entire webquest and decide which role each member
of your group will play.
3. Complete and hand in your task chart. (
Simply a list of the names of the people in your group and the roles they will
each play!)
4. Each member of the team begins their research. You may
use the suggested internet resources, locate others, or use the World Book Encyclopedia.
5. Each member designs and creates their portion of the
website. Graphics may be drawn and scanned, or "borrowed"
from the internet. Remember, however, that all copyrights must be
respected!
6. Members work together to design the splash page for their
website. This portion of the website must be a collaboration by all
members, however, you may chose one person to actually create the page.
7. Members work together to put the finishing touches on their
sites....remember, to link your pages in a logical order!
8. When all websites are complete, your group will be required to present
their website to their classmates. Each member of the team must
participate in the presentation. Presentations are to be no more than 10
minutes!
9. Have fun and be creative!
"ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES"
ROLE ONE: HISTORIAN
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As the official Historian, it is your responsibility to find information on both the Ancient and Modern Olympics. You are required to design and create this portion of your group's website.
Your first task will be to describe the Ancient Olympic Games. Your description should include how, where, and why the Ancient Games began, the sports that were played and who could compete, how the athletes were trained, who the judges were, what the winners received, how often the games were held, the athletes who were famous in ancient times and any other interesting information you might come across.
Your second task will be to describe the Modern Olympics. Your description should include how, where, and why the Modern Olympics began, how often the games are held, who decides where the games will be held, the Olympic oath, motto, and creed and how each came into being, a description of the Olympic emblem and what it means, the differences between the winter and summer games, information about the Olympic Flame such as where it starts its journey and how it travels, what prizes are awarded to the athletes, and lastly, when and where the next Olympic games are to be held.
RESOURCES
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games
World Book Encyclopedia
ROLE TWO: NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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As the official News Correspondent it is your responsibility to find information on the Bejiing Olympics. Use the following questions as a guide for your research. You are required to design and create this portion of your group's website.
1) Where is Bejiing located? (You may
want to include a map.)
2) When are the games being held?
3) What is the name of the Olympic Stadium and where are each of the
events being held?
4) Who are the mascots for the games and what does each represent?
5) What is the Olympic Athletes Village and what is everyday life in the
Village like?
6) How many athletes are expected to participate in the games and how many
countries do they represent?
7) What is the most famous building in Bejiing and are there any other
points of interest for visitors?
8) What is the Olympic Torch Relay? Why has this Torch Run been so
controversial?
Light the Passion Share the Dream
The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
World Book Encyclopedia
ROLE THREE: SPORTS CONSULTANT
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As the Sports Consultant it is your responsibility to find out about the different kinds of sports at the Olympics. You will be required to write a "detailed" description for three of the Olympic sports. Your description must include the name and country of the person who holds the current Olympic Record and the name and country of the person who holds the current World Record. Use the following questions as a guide for your research. You are required to design and create this portion of your group's website.
1) How many different Olympic Sports are there?
2) Are there any new sports?
3) How many team events are there and what are they?
4) What are the Triathalon, Pentathalon, and Decathalon?
5) What is the first event of this Olympic Games?
6) What is the last event of this Olympic Games?
7) Are there any competitors that will particpate in both the summer and
the winter Olympics?
International Olympic Committee
The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
World Book Encyclopedia
ROLE FOUR: CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE WATCHDOG
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As the official Canadian Olympic Committee Watchdog it is your responsibility to describe Canada's involvement in the Olympic games in general. Additionally, you will also be required to write a short biography on at least three of the Canadian athletes taking part in the Bejiing Olympics. (Try to find at least one athlete from Winnipeg!) Use the following questions as a guide for your research. You are required to design and create this portion of your group's website.
1) How many Canadian athletes are
expected to participate in the Bejiing Olympics?
2) What other Canadians will be involved and what role will they
play?
3) When did Canada first participate in the games?
4) Has Canada ever missed any of the Olympic games? If so,
why?
5) How are the athletes chosen and who chooses them?
6) In which sports will Canadian athletes participate?
7) Which athlete will carry the Canadian flag in the opening
ceremonies...in the closing ceremonies? Who chooses the flag bearer and
how?
8) Who are the most famous Canadian athletes taking part in the
games?
9) How many medals did Canada win at the last summer Olympics?
10) What is the highest number of medals ever won by a Canadian
athlete at the summer games? Who was the athlete and what sport did he/she
participate in?
11) How does the Canadian Olympic Committee support Canadian athletes?
International Olympic Committee
World Book Encyclopedia
Evaluation:
1. You will complete a rubric with
your other group members to evaluate how well the group worked together to
accomplish this assignment.
2. Your website will be evaluated for design and content through
the use of a rubric.
3. Your group presentation will be evaluated by your classmates
and teacher through the use of a rubric.
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Conclusion: For most athletes, the opportunity to participate in the Bejiing Olympics is not only a dream come true, but the result of years and years of very hard work! We wish all of the Olympians good luck in their quest for the GOLD!