• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Advertising
  • Write for Us
  • Job Board
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Consulting
    • Advertising
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Shirts

The Educators Room logo

  • Start Here
    • Impact Statements: Teacher Expertise
    • Newsletter
  • Browse Topics
    • Content Strategies
      • Literacy
      • Mathematics
      • Social Studies
      • Educational Technology
      • ELL & ESOL
      • Fine Arts
      • Special Education
      • Popular Topics
        • Teacher Self-Care
        • Instructional Coach Files
        • Common Core
        • The Traveling Teacher
        • The Unemployed Teacher
        • The New Teacher Chronicles
        • Book Review
        • Grade Levels
          • Elementary (K-5)
          • Middle (6-8)
          • Adult
          • New Teacher Bootcamp
          • Hot Button Topics
            • Menu Item
              • Principals' Corner
              • Charter Schools
              • Confessions of a Teacher
              • Interviews
              • The State of Education
              • Stellar Educator of the Week
            • Menu
              • How to Fix Education
              • Featured
              • Ask a Teacher
              • Teacher Branding
              • Current Events
  • Podcasts
  • Courses
    • Practicing Self-Care to Avoid Teacher Burnout- An 8 Week Course
    • Becoming An Educational Consultant
    • Teacher Branding 101:Teachers are The Experts
    • The Learning Academy
    • Books
    • Shirts
  • Education in Atlanta
  • Teacher Self-Care
  • The Coach's Academy
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Advertising
  • Write for Us
  • Job Board
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Consulting
    • Advertising
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Shirts
×

February 13, 2014 Instruction & Curriculum

Olympic Lessons

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Claire McMahon

"Knowledge indeed is a desirable, a lovely possession." Thomas Jefferson
  • Why I Say “Yes” to Santa - December 9, 2014
  • Should I Stay or Should I Go? - July 16, 2014
  • Demo Lesson Tips - May 28, 2014
  • Changes that Need to be Made in ESL - March 6, 2014
  • Olympic Lessons - February 13, 2014
  • Myths About Snow Days - February 6, 2014
  • He Said What?! Funny things our kids say... - January 30, 2014
  • The Dawn of a New Era in New York City Schools - January 22, 2014
  • Push In Versus Pull Out Strategies for English Language Learners (ELL) - December 26, 2013
  • Project Based Learning: Giving Up Control - October 29, 2013

olympicringsI always get really excited when the Olympics come on TV. It gives me a chance to see sports on TV that are not usually shown and the amazing back stories about the athletes are always appealing. This year I mentioned the Olympics to my students and the universal reply was that they had no idea what I was talking about. One student asked if it involved football. I was really disappointed to hear that. Not because I want my students to just share my enthusiasm (though that is an appeal), but because I feel they could benefit from watching. This is probably one of the very few times I would advocate for a student to watch TV.

I mentioned that I really enjoy the back stories about the various athletes, and I really wish my students got to hear them too. I teach in a low income neighborhood and students often do not realize that there are better opportunities in life. One summer Olympics there was an athlete from the same area as my students; that’s the only time I wish there had been school in July. I want my students to see where hard work can take you. I want my students to hear and see that information from someone other than a teacher. I know that not all my students are going to suddenly pick up alpine skiing and be in the next Olympics. I do want them to understand that they are not limited to a job in the neighborhood that they live in after high school.

I also have another more academic reason for promoting the Olympics. Vocabulary. Students from low income homes are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to vocabulary. This starts at an early age. There’s a disadvantage before the students even start pre-kindergarten. Vocabulary comes from life experiences, not just reading. By watching the Olympics and becoming exposed to these new sports that may not be available in the local community center, the students are hearing words that cannot be heard around the neighborhood. Where else would you hear the words alpine, bobsled, and half pipe?

Social studies also comes into play when watching the Olympics. The students are exposed to different cultures. The opening and closing ceremonies always combine elements of the host country’s culture. The commentators are able to fill in the gaps as to why certain dances or costumes are being used. Watching a cultural dance or song is so much more memorable that reading about it in a book. The geography part of social studies has a connection as well. Who had ever heard of Sochi before this Olympics? Students have a chance to learn where the games are taking place. By watching the broadcast they can see maps of the games. Maps they might never look at at home.

I can only hope that my students internalize some of these stories, and vocabulary and social studies lessons that come from watching the games. I hope that it affects them in a positive way that influences them to work hard in school and become successful in life.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailThe Museum Trip - The Other Side Default ThumbnailInformational Texts: Speeches Delivered with Love from Bruce and Steve Default ThumbnailClassroom Activity Breaks – Reap the Benefits! Part II: How Does That Sound? Reading with Fluency
« What are the 7 Goals of Education?
The Experiential Illiterates »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

The Educator's Room was launched in 2012 to amplify the voice of educators. To date, we have over 45+ writers from around the world and boast over twelve million page views. Through articles, events, and social media we will advocate for honest dialogue with teachers about how to improve public education. This mission is especially important when reporting on education in our community; therefore, we commit our readers to integrity, accuracy, and independence in education reporting. To join our mailing list, click here.

What we do

At The Educator's Room, we focus on amplifying and honoring the voice of educators as experts in education. To date, we have over 40 staff writers/teachers from around the world.

Popular Posts

  • The Perfect Storm: How Standardized Testing and the Pandemic are Pushing Teachers to Substance Abuse
  • From the Classroom to the Bedroom: Tips for Educators to Get More Rest
  • Hang Up the Tattle Phone
  • Ask The Educator's Room: How do I deal with my horrid co-teacher?

Featured On

Buy Our Books/Courses

How to Leave Your Job in Education

Practicing Self-Care to Avoid Teacher Burnout

Using Your Teacher Expertise to Become an Educational Consultant

Check out our books on teaching and learning!

The Learning Academy

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

 

Copyright © 2021 The Educator's Room.