Winter Olympics

THE PROGRAM: Winter Olympics is a school wide Physical Education unit in which students form countries and compete in various mock Winter Olympiad events. Eight events are performed by each of the thirty-five different countries represented at the 1996-97 Olympics. A flag-judging event heads off the unit, where students are required to create their countries actual flag. The Roller Racer Giant Slalom is next, followed by Scooter Board Speed Skating and then Floor Hockey. The Team Figure Skating event requires students to create a three-minute dance with music representative of their country. The Ski Jump, Biathlon and Four-Kid Bobsled are events five, six and seven, respectively. The final event is the Country Presentations and International Food Fest. Each team conducts research and performs a three-minute informative speech about their country and provides a food sample for the entire class.

Upon completion of each event an awards ceremony is conducted at which pre-made Gold, Silver, Bronze and Participation medals are awarded. The country with the highest overall score is deemed the Winter Olympic Champion.

THE STUDENTS: Approximately 190 students, grades 3-5, actively participate in the Winter Olympics unit, including mainstreamed Special Education populations. Approximately 150 Kindergarten, First and Second graders participate by constructing all of the awards earned throughout the Games.

THE STAFF: The Winter Olympics program was developed in its entirety by Christopher Serra, a third year Physical Educator at Laurel Plains Elementary. The program is implemented without assistance, as it requires no additional staffing to conduct. It is supported fully by the Laurel Plains Principal, P.T.A., District Administra tion and Department Chairperson.

MATERIALS AND FACILITIES: The program is implemented with the use of an average sized Elementary gymnasium with basic equipment which includes: 4-6 scooter boards, one floor hockey set, 10-15 cones, and a reliable tape player.

OUTSIDE RESOURCES: The school computer laboratory and library serve as essential compo nents in collecting various data on countries throughout the world. Outside contacts are also encouraged, as students are required to produce music and foods from their selected country for two of the events.

OVERALL VALUE: The Winter Olympics Unit involves all students grades K-6. The curriculum is easily tied into the Physical Education unit through whatever means are necessary. The events tap into all aspects of a child's develop ment; therefore, pure physical ability plays a minimal part in a team's overall success. When executed to its fullest potential, the Winter Olym pics Unit is a valuable addition to any Physical Education curriculum.

RECOMMENDED FUNDING: $200.00

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

DEVELOPER: Christopher Serra

SCHOOL:

Laurel Plains Elementary
Teakwood Lane
New City, New York 10956
(914) 639-6350

PRINCIPAL : Carol Pilla

DISTRICT: Clarkstown Central School District

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