Elementary Matters: June 2016

I made it through the last week of school by celebrating the Academic Olympic Summer Games. (See THIS POST)

The "Summer Games" are Complete! This is a review of a week's worth of Academic Olympics to end the school year, including a Dollar Deal collection of ideas!

We had an exciting week, starting with our Opening Ceremonies!

We marched up and down each hallway with our flags and banners. The Olympic torch led the parade, and the American flag was at the end. (The USA was the "host country"!) Other countries include: Japan, Italy, France, Mexico, and Canada. (It just so happens I had flags to represent those countries, and a very old CD that has the National Anthems of each country, which was needed for the medal ceremonies! We came back to the classroom, read the Academic Summer Games Oath and Creed, and said that famous phrase:

"Let the Games Begin!"

I wish you could see the pride in their faces!

We had many medal competitions during the week. Yes, medals were given daily for behavior, plus there were competitions in sight word reading, math facts, group scoot games, memory games, and brainstorming games. We recited the creed daily, along with the Pledge of Allegiance and our school's promise!

For a sampler copy of this, and a few other related items, check out this resource:

Their banners and some of their medals:

Canada!

France and Italy!

Japan and Mexico!

Honestly, there were double this many medals by the Closing Ceremony!

I think everyone's favorite part was when we had medal ceremonies, which was a lot!

Yes, I actually let the kiddos stand on desks!

Again, I wish you could see the pride in their faces!

Finally, it was time to "sail home", from the U.S.A. back to Japan, Italy, France, Mexico, and Canada! The children made ships from milk cartons and various "S.T.E.M." materials and set sail.

I confess, I didn't get any pictures of the real ships they decorated. This photo was from a Summer Themed Week we had a few years ago, that you can read about HERE. Their ships were far more colorful and elaborate! I couldn't be prouder!

A few other "Olympic-related" resources that might interest you:

Academic Summer Games Activities: Team Building

Academic Summer Games: Math Task Cards

Academic Summer Games: No Prep Activities

This is our last full week of school, and we'll be celebrating learning by having Academic Summer Games!

Academic Summer Games! I love to keep the kids busy by adding a little bit of friendly competition at the end of the school year. This post gives plenty of fun ideas on how to do this!

My goals:

Have fun!
Give the kids a taste of what the Olympics are like!
Give the children some experience with some of the different countries all over the world.
Review skills from the year!
Liven up these last few dreary days!
Promote teamwork and positive feelings.
Promote individual self-esteem
Grab an opportunity for some Project Based Learning.
Did I mention having fun?

Of course, the real Olympics start in July and will be over before we come back to school in the fall. But I'm a huge fan of the Olympics, and rather passionate about Social Studies as well. What better way to learn about different countries from all over the world?

Here's my plan:

Form 5 groups of 4. Those students will choose a country to represent, design a banner to represent that country, make a flag for that country, and pick a color to wear on the days of "competition".
We'll start with a "parade of athletes" around the school. Each "country" will carry its banner and flag, and will proudly display their colors.
Then we'll hold a number of "events". I'm thinking a few scoot games, like these, perhaps a "read-a-thon", brainstorming contests (How many nouns can you think of in 60 seconds?), math facts contests, a S.T.E.M. project (something to do with water that can be done outside!), physical contests (How many jumping jacks can you do in 60 seconds?)
After each ceremony, hold a "medal ceremony" for the winners. I'm thinking some events will be group events, and some will be individual events. Yes, I actually own a CD of national anthems, so I'll play the one that goes with the country they represent, while they display their flag/ banner.
If necessary, I'll come up with my own events, to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to be a winner. (Most people wearing purple?)
Send them home with smiling faces and stories to tell.

Brain research tells us that emotions play a big role in memory. Contests and competitions get the blood pumping! Brain research also tells us that the social part of learning is essential. This will include quite a bit of movement, music, artwork, and opportunities for everyone on every team to show their strengths. According to brain research, this will touch on many important points.

Here are some books with Olympics themes: (Each title is a link to Amazon for more information.)

What do you think? Have you ever done anything like this? Do you have any ideas for "educational contests"? Any ideas for organizing it all?

I'm looking forward to your input!

For more ideas and details of my Academic Olympics, as well as a freebie, see THIS POST.

The "Summer Games" are Complete!