Olympics in the Classroom!

Whew! These last couple weeks of summer are flying by indeed! I can't believe we're already half-way through this week! I will have another writing post before this week ends...I promise!

Yesterday, the hubs and I celebrated our 13th anniversary - GEEZ!! It's not just the summer that's flying by! It seems like just yesterday we were walking down the aisle! Speaking of Mr. Madden, I thought I would show you his latest creation. I'm not sure who's more monster-crazy around here!
As soon as my Cameo arrives (Friday!) I'm going to add some turquoise polka dots to him!  I think he's too cute to use as an actual trashcan so I think I may use him for puppet storage.  (My dogs are completely terrified of him...you can see Sampson in the background giving it the "eye").

I've been popping in and out of my room the past couple of weeks, but mostly working at home to try to finish some things up!  And, of course, I've had my eyes glued onto the Olympics while working, have you?  They've really had me thinking about using the Olympics in the classroom.  There are a couple of ways that I already do this and I thought I would share those with you today!

First, I always do the Measurement Olympics, an AIMS math measurement unit.  We do this as a culmination to our measurement unit and it's a lot of fun!

Next, when we're learning about the continents of the world, we do the Worldwide Challenge Unit.  This is an Olympic-Inspired educational unit available at Teacher's Clubhouse.  The kids go through seven events (one for each continent of the world).  The unit includes a sign for each event, directions for each event, recording sheets, medal templates, certificates, and other required cards/materials (see below).
It's a great way to have some Olympic-inspired FUN while learning a bit about each continent and integrating other skills as well.  The unit includes the following activities for the continents:

Asia - The Chopstick Exchange - Students use math skills to time classmates transferring marshmallows using chopsticks.

Antarctica - The Great Ice Melt - Students use math and science skills to get ice to melt as quickly as possible.

Australia - The Kangaroo HopStudents use math skills to determine how far they can hop like a kangaroo.

North America - Name That Sate  - Students use geography skills to name as many states as possible in 2 minutes!

Africa - King Cobra Snake Stretch - Students use math skills to measure the King Cobra they create with clay.

South America - The Life Cycle Race - Students use science skills to complete a life cycle relay race as quickly as possible.

Europe - Language Match - Students use their language skills to match number words in English, Spanish and French.

Since the Olympics will have just ended when we start school, I'm thinking about doing this during the first couple of weeks to kick the school year off with a little fun!

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Speaking of Teacher's Clubhouse, go to their facebook page and enter your guess for how many erasers it took to fill this gumball machine!  The winner will win their Estimation Station Resource!
As soon as my Cameo arrives, I'll be working on this little machine...you'll probably see it next Monday! :)

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY to win the HearALL Assessment Recorder from Learning Resources!  And, if you haven't set your New {School} Year Resolutions, I'd love for you to link up to that party!

15 comments

  1. I love your monster theme! Too cute!

    Christine
    Tales From Rm 17!

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  2. Do you give your hubby projects or does he just come up with these on his own?? My hubby offered to help me last night, but I'm clueless as to what he could do. He's not crafty or handy for that matter. I asked him to cut something and it looked like our toddler cut it out!

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  3. I love how your hubby jumps right in & helps you with your monster theme. I am fortunate that my hubby helps me when it comes to crafting too! I love your Olympics pack! What a creative idea! :)
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  4. I so love how your hubs joins in on fun! What a guy!!

    Hooty
    Hooty's Homeroom

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  5. Thanks for stopping by my blog this week! :-) Sounds like you're having a good summer! The concerts sound like fun! Lovin' the MONSTER above!
    Michelle nomonkeybusinessmichelle.blogspot.com

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  6. I love, love, love the cute activities for the continent unit;) That trashcan is awesome...tell Andy he will win HUSBAND of the YEAR award for sure this year with all of his cute contributions to your classroom!!!

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  7. Oh, Deniece...he usually comes up with these ideas on his own! For this one, he waited for me to leave and said he was going to work on something while I was gone! Sometimes that's a little scary, but it's always cute that he wants to contribute to my theme. ;)

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  8. That is the cutest monster garbage can! You're so talented. I love to see the cute things you come up with.
    ஐRikki
    The Hive

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  9. The trash can is awesome! This unit will be great for one of our end of the year units!

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  10. Thanks for stopping by our blog today! I love your monster. We used a mini- table top monster for ABC and sight word games.

    The Kindergarten Goonies
    www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com

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  11. He is too cute! I might have to do monsters one year!

    Vicky
    Keep Calm & Imagine

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  12. I love the Olympic activities to end the measurement unit! So doing that with my class this year.

    Marlene
    I Heart Teaching Elementary

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  13. The trashcan is so cute! I will have to think of some New Years Resolutions and join in on the fun!! If you have time stop by my blog and join my "Classroom Tours Linky Party"! I would love to see your classroom!! If you aren't ready just quite yet, share a before pic and then go back and share an after pic! :)

    Brigid

    Brigid's Daily Lesson Log

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Thanks for visiting my blog and sharing ideas! I love to read your comments. I like to reply back by email, so make sure you have that option enabled so we can chat! :)

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