Olympics in PE: A Class Period of Champions!

The Summer Olympics, a historical tradition that must be celebrated in your Physical Education class. It is an easy way to discuss geography, history, cultures, sports, sportsmanship and teamwork.          

Start your Olympic games off with the students saying the Olympic Creed and discussing the meaning behind it. 

Olympic Torch Run

Prep – Make a torch out of construction paper and tissue. 

Students – Begin running around our gym at a good pace. Students will pass the torch to the person behind them when they reach the next cone.

Allowing all students to hold the torch and pass it off. 

Another option would be that the first person in line holds the torch and the person at the end has to run up, take the lead and have the torch passed to them. 

Summer Olympics Relay Games

For the Olympic game events, have students sit with a partner at a dot (see below for gym set up). On your signal, one partner will race around the gym while the other practices a skill at the dot. When the first partner returns, they will switch roles. The first team to complete the task, with all their equipment in the hoop, both partners seated, and their country’s sign held up in the air, will win the gold, silver, and bronze.

Prep Work: Print off and laminate several flags of countries that will participate in the summer games. Tip – Mount on construction paper to make them stronger.

Set Up:

1. In my gym, I utilize the volleyball court lines to organize the space efficiently. I place dots around these lines for students to sit at.

2. Place 2 cones apart at each of the corners (this will be the area students will race through)

3. Place a small hockey or soccer goal against the wall on either side of the gym where the basketball goals are.

4. Place balance beams (or tape on the floor) on the sides of the gym where the basketball lines are.

5. In front of each dot, put a hula hoop down to hold all the equipment.

Equipment Needed for Olympics (Place in Hula Hoop):

• A country’s flag
• Scooter
• Playground ball
• Pool Noodles (one short and one long)
• Hockey Stick (optional you can use a pool noodle)
• Hockey Puck or small ball
• Tennis racket
• Baton
• Ribbons or Scarves

Let the Games Begin! Olympic Events:

Athletics:

Partner A – carries the baton and will run one lap around the cones and hand it to partner B. Partner B – Will perform mountain climbers until Partner A hands off the baton.

Swimming:

Partner A – will lay on the scooter on their belly. They will “swim” around the outside of the cones one time and then hand the scooter to partner B.

Partner B – will lay on their back and do flutter kicks until partner A hands off the scooter.

Gymnastics:

Partner A – will leap around the gym to the balance beam, they will walk across the beam, and continue to leap back to their spot.

Partner B- will make up a ribbon routine until partner A returns and tags them.

Boxing:

Partner A – slide around the gym alternating jabbing in the air.

Partner B will do boxer side crunches or bob and weave.

Basketball:

Partner A will dribble the basketball around the cones to the basket and shoot 1 time, get the ball and continue to dribble to the 2nd goal, shoot one time and dribble back to spot.

Partner B will do rebound jumps (squat and jump high in air.)

Soccer:

Partner A will dribble the ball with their feet around the square. When they get to the goal they shoot one time. (Be mindful of people who are getting their ball out of the net)

Partner B will do burpees (getting up from a tackle) until partner A returns

Rowing: Students will sit down, put feet together and hold hands, they will row back and forth 30 times.

Partner A will skip around the outside of the square.

Partner B will hold a plank until partner A returns.

Javelin Throw:

Partner A will carry the javelin (Long Noodle) and hold the noodle in their hand by their ear, they must run down behind the balance beam and throw the javelin as far as possible, go pick it up, run behind the other beam and throw again. Return to partner B.

Partner B – Performs shoulder taps

Canoeing and Biking:

Partner A will sit on the scooter use the pool noodle to help them “paddle” around the water back to their spot                

Partner B will lay back and lift feet up to pretend to ride a bicycle until partner a returns

Track (put a jump rope through the two cones at each corner):

Partner A runs and hurdles over the hurdles at each of the 4 corners, then returns to hand off the baton to partner b          

Partner B performs high knees 

Equestrian (put a jump rope through the 2 cones for a jump):

Partner A Ride the horse noodle (or hockey stick) around and when they get to hurdles, jump over.

Partner B is holding a squat position

Hockey:

Partner A will dribble the puck or ball  around the room with the noodle. When they get to the net, try to knock it in.

Partner B will be moving side to side like they are speed skating

Tennis:

Partner A will hold the racket with the ball on it, balance as you walk around the room.

Partner B will do lunges.

Change, adapt, make it work for your classroom! But do celebrate the Olympic Games!