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"GOING FOR THE
GOLD"
AN OLYMPIC WEBQUEST FOR GRADE SEVEN AND EIGHT STUDENTS
Written by M. Desrosiers
Earl Grey School - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Introduction: In less than a week, all eyes will be on Sydney, Australia as athletes from around the world gather to participate in the XXVII 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 Associaton 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 Encylopedia.
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 collabortion 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 offical 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 descibe 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
All About the Olympics, Past and Present
The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games
The History of the Olympic Games
World Book Encyclopedia
ROLE TWO: NEWS CORRESPONDENT
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As the offical News Correspondent it is your responsibility to find information on the Sydney Olympics. Use the following questions as a guide for your research. To find out what daily life in the Athletes Village is like, you may want to try e-mailing one of the athletes living in the village. You are required to design and create this portion of your group's website.
1) Where is Sydney 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 Sydney and are there any other points of
interest for visitors?
8) What is the Olympic Torch Relay?
RESOURCES
The Facilities of the Olympic Games
The Australian Olympic Committee
Fanmail for Olympic Competitors
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?
RESOURCES
The Kid's Guide to Olympic Sports
International Sports Federations
World Book Encylopedia
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 involement 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 Sydney 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 Sydney 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?
RESOURCES
International Olympic Committee
Great Canadian Moments in Sports
All Time Greatest Canadian Athletes
World Book Encylopedia
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.
Conclusion: For most athletes, the opportunity to participate in the Sydney 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!
VISIT THE OLYMPIC WEBSITES MADE BY THE STUDENTS OF EARL GREY AND ST. IGNATIUS SCHOOLS!