The Magic of the Olympics

I love the Olympics!  I don't know about you, but there is something magical about them.  Maybe it's the music (don't you find yourself humming it constantly during that time??).  Or maybe it's the pride that is bound to come out for your nation.  Or maybe it's the shear talent and determination of the athletes.  Whatever it is, it is magical...

"We live in a world full of magic and wonder.  We just need to take the time to embrace it." Kim Bearden said it best in the book "Crash Course."  Our students want to be able to experience that magic.  It takes a little more thinking outside the box, but any lesson can become magical.  Think about it you learned that way... wouldn't you remember those lessons?

Image from jeremyrenners.blogspot.com

With that in mind, I wanted to end our measurement unit with a bang (and get in a little more practice as well).  We could have just done some more measuring worksheets.  We could have compared our pencils or our crayons.  We could have measured our desks of the sink.  But that seemed so mundane.  And while I'm lucky that I teach first graders and they are game to do just about anything, it's so much better with magic.

Cue the Olympic music.  Many of my students didn't know much about the Olympics or had never even seen them.  The students were told that they were going to compete in the Winter Olympics this year in four events.  They wanted to do their best because medals were rewarded.

Now, I realize that I am not the first or only person to do Measurement Olympics in my classroom.  But it was the magic that was injected into these eventsthat made it just a bit different.
country.

We started off by creating flags for our countries and making our winter ski hats to keep us warm during the events.  Blaring the Olympic anthem outside in our quad area, all my students jogged with the torch passing it off to their fellow classmates while the rest of us clapped and cheered for them and I used my official announcers voice to introduce each one.

When they entered the class for our first event, our classroom had been transformed.  And while I can't transform my classroom to the extent that they do at the Ron Clark Academy (due to lack of funds and the 4 year old at home who likes to see her mama every day), I can make it as spectacular as I can.

A giant sign with the Olympic rings on it adorned the front of every event.  A snowy mountain scene stretched out behind the event area.  Chairs and desks stacked together created a grandstand for our spectators to enjoy the events.  Each event has a sign that mimicked those of the actual events.  But most of all, I had been transformed from their loving teacher to an outgoing Olympic commentator and announcer.  The sillier the better!

From what I hear, RCA is also big on sounds and music making it a true experience too.  I'm still working on this piece.

Yes, this took a bit of extra time, but WOW, it sure was worth it in the end.  My kids had a blast!  They looked forward to math all week long.  If we can create that kind of magic during our lessons...not every lesson, but just a few here and there... how much more engaged and excited would our kids be?  How much more would they retain?  How much more would they love school?

"...when we take the time to create the illusion, the results are worth every effort we've made." (Bearden, "Crash Course")

How can we create more magic and make everyday lessons more exciting?  Think of the possibilities!