2008 Summer Olympics: Beijing, China
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Celebrate this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with our resources, activities, and lessons. You'll find resources on China's history and culture, which will help your students better understand the country and its traditions. Discussing the politics of China, and the Olympic Games in general, will also be enlightening: learn why there is controversy surrounding the 2008 Games. Plus, we have resources on the past political issues of the Olympics, information about gold medalists, and lessons incorporating the fun of the Olympic sporting events. |
China: Culture & ControversyThe Beijing, China location of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games has been a source of intense controversy. Learn why some people have protested the location of the Olympics, plus how the Chinese government is handling the situation. Teach children about Asia, the largest of the world's continents. This outline map is an excellent way to encourage students to color and label different countries in Asia. Print a worksheet that lists simple Chinese phrases and their pronunciations, for use with the Chinese Words and Phrases Lesson Plan. Students consider how to apply different political philosophies to various situations. Read all about the country of China, from ancient history and traditions, to modern culture and politics, on Infoplease.com. Olympics: Politics & ScandalThe 2008 Beijing Olympics aren't the first to be mired in controversy. Read all about the political debate the Olympics have faced over the years. Learn about various traditions and symbols employed during the ceremonies for the Olympic Games. The motto, the torch, the anthem, and other Olympic symbols are discusses. An article about Olympic scandals such as the bidding for the location of the 2002 Winter Olympics and the discovery of steroid use by athletes during the '70's and '80's. Read about the history of the Olympic torch, flame, and relay. Since its beginning in 1936, the torch relay has been controversial and criticized, but also an important symbolism for the Olympic Games. Follow the details of major political impacts on the Olympics by presenting this chart. Students create a timeline of political events and their effects on the Summer Olympic Games. Track and field medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos' show of civil disobedience at their 1968 medal ceremony made an indelible mark on Olympic history. An article about the worst tragedy in modern Olympic history. These research questions accompany the "Politics & the Olympics" Lesson Plan, or they can be used on their own to spark classroom discussion about the Olympic Games of the past. | Lesson PlansIntroduce students to the history and locations of the Modern Olympic Games. Students recreate Olympic events by calculating distances and participating in the event. Students will write a one page report from the point of view of an Olympic athlete and present it as an oral report to the class. Assuming the role of a fellow athlete, Nazi supporter or African-American, students will write a letter to Jesse Owens describing their political views and their feelings about his accomplishments at the 1936 Olympic Games. Olympic History & ReferencesInteresting facts about the Olympic games. An article chronicling the rebirth of the Olympic games. Interesting trivia about the Olympic Games. A chart showing the countries that have won the most medals at each Olympiad from the start of the modern Olympic Games in 1896 to 1996. A complete list of every event in which athletes compete during the Summer Olympics. See the great American athletes who have won an Olympic medal in the summer games. Athlete BiosVisit Infoplease.com to read short biographies about some of the greatest Summer Olympians ever to play their sports. Gold MedalistsVisit Infoplease.com for more information on the winners of Olympics gold medals. You'll find statistics on nearly all of the summer sports, from track & field to gymnastics to swimming. |
