Hot topic: Olympics Beijing 2008

Hot Topic for July 2008

Olympics Beijing 2008

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, beginning on 8th August, provides a unique opportunity for teachers to engage students in learning about one of the world’s most dynamic countries and cultures, as well as celebrating this important global event.

Here are a useful collection of websites:

National Library of New Zealand
The National Library of New Zealand has added this section to its website. A collection of online resources dedicated to the Olympic Games. Topics include: History of the Olympics, New Zealand athletes, Sportsmanship, Countries and flags.
http://www.natlib.govt.nz/schools

Science Learning Hub video - Sports Performance Research
In this video clip from the Science Learning Hub, New Zealand Olympic athletes Richard Patterson and James Dolphin talk about the edge that recent research findings give to their performance.
Dr Justin Keogh and post-graduate research student Simon Pearson, from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), describe how their research is used to improve athletic performance.
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/contexts/sporting_edge/sci_media/video/
research_to_improve_athletic_performance

Science Learning Hub video – Core Stability
We all need a strong core. In this video clip from the Science Learning Hub, Associate Professor John Cronin and Dr Justin Keogh (Auckland University of Technology) discuss the importance of core strength for sporting ability and healthy bodies. New Zealand Olympic Sprinter, James Dolphin, and weightlifter Richard Patterson, illustrate how core strength enhances their sporting performance.
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/contexts/sporting_edge/sci_media/video/
core_strength_and_athletes

Showcase China Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Showcase China is aligned to the new curriculum, and gives students an opportunity to engage with the future-focused themes of globalisation and sustainability. There are two teaching and learning resources, each with activities for years 1–10.
http://asia-knowledge.tki.org.nz/showcase_china_beijing_2008

All Eyes on Beijing!
Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) has added a new section to its website dedicated to promoting the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Titled ‘Eyes on Beijing’, the new section can be found at www.sparc.org.nz/olympics. It contains a range of informative articles and interactive information on New Zealand’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Eyes on Beijing aims to educate and inspire all New Zealanders about what it takes to make it to the Olympic Games – the world’s highest sporting stage. It links to the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Paralympics New Zealand websites. www.olympic.org.nz and www.paralympics.org.nz.

Attitudes and Values - Olympic Ideals in Physical Education: Years 9-10
Online material from The Curriculum in Action series suggesting ways teachers can programme their Sports Studies by focusing on the Olympic ideals. Attitudes and values including responsibility, respect, care, and social justice are explored.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/health/cia/olympic/index_e.php

Ancient Olympic Games
This page from the official website of the Olympic Movement looks at who participated in the ancient Olympic Games and outlines the achievements of some of the athletes. There is a link to a video of the Ancient Olympic Games in cartoon style.
http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/ancient/athletes_uk.asp

Beijing Olympic Games
The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 8-24, 2008 and contains information about planning and progress for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The site can be viewed in English, French or Chinese.
http://en.beijing-2008.org/

International Paralympic Committee
This website of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) includes the history of the games, lists international events and news, describes the sports involved and records held, and lists other related sites.
http://www.paralympic.org/

The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games
This page from the Penn Museum website looks at commercialism and the Olympic Games and traces the connection between salesmanship and sports back to the Ancient Olympic Games.
http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/olympics/olympiccommercialism.shtml

SPARC
The official website of SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand). SPARC works with schools and other organisations to create opportunities for all New Zealanders to be active and reach their potential in chosen sports. It has information on new projects and sports organisations.
http://www.sparc.org.nz/

Special Olympics
The Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Includes information for coaches and volunteers, the organisation's initiatives, how to support the organisation, and regional programmes. The site can be viewed in English,French or Chinese.
http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/default.htm

The New Zealand Olympic Committee
The website with information about the New Zealand Olympic team at the latest Olympic Games. There are links to news items related to the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games and a section on Olympic history, including New Zealand's involvement. The site provides details of the teams and information on sporting codes including basketball, gymnastics, hockey, cycling, judo, rowing, shooting, softball, swimming, table tennis, track and field, triathlon, wrestling, weight lifting, yachting, and roller skating. Also includes information on Winter Olympics events.
http://www.olympic.org.nz/

Olympic Resource for Languages
Make use of these language lesson plans created by the Modern Languages Teachers’ Association of Victoria for students to learn Olympic Games and sports-related vocabulary for their language of study. The resource prepares students for a school-based Olympic celebration held in the language they are learning.
http://corporate.olympics.com.au/index.cfm?p=737