Musical Olympics            

Background

The Olympics are some of the most watched games worldwide. It is important for students to understand the basic concept of the Olympics, that it is a forum for world class athletes representing their native country to come together to compete peacefully. Students should also be aware of the significance of the Olympics colors.  The colors of the interlinked Olympic rings were chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to represent the union of the five continents, Australia, Africa, America, Asia and Europe and further signify the meeting of the worlds athletes at the Olympic Games. The plain white background of the Olympic flag is symbolic of peace throughout the games. The five colors of the rings are blue, black and red across the top with yellow and green along the bottom, these colors may be found on most flags of the world.

Objectives

The students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
The students use maps, globes, charts, graphs and other geographic tools to gather and interpret data.
The student understands music in relation to culture and history.

Activities

1. Brainstorm with students countries located in the five continents using various map web sites and discuss with them the idea that each country has its own special music. Visit these sites: Online Maps and Altapedia.
2. After visiting sites, students will work in cooperative groups of 4 to 5 to collect, record, and organize musical data to share with the class. Students should include: 

• Name of the country
• Kind of music that originated in that country, examples Italy: Opera, Jamaica: Reggae, USA: Jazz, Spain: Flamenco, France: Chanson, Japan: Taiko, Trinidad: Calypso, and China: Guangdong. See Music Styles of the World
• How does this music represent the soul of the country?
• List of famous musicians and performers from the country
• Map of the country
• Pictures of famous musicians and performers
• Excerpts of the music

3. Students will choose one country from a continent to research its music and its origins and determine how it represents the character of the country. Students will log onto such search engines as Google and KidsClick to collect data.
4. Students will participate in this ThinkQuest to learn more about music of the various continents: Think Quest Music Around the World
5. After organizing their information, students will select a presentation from the following formats to present to the class:

• Poster that depicts the country and its musical style
• Student-created CD of the music of their country
• Group can sing or play a song from their country
• Group can write an article about the music from their country

Materials

Download excerpts of music of the different countries or check out musical selections from the local public library.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on their presentation using a Peer-Evaluation Form.

Extension Activities: The Olympic Motto

• Students will search online to discover the Olympic motto and symbols of the Olympics, visit websites such as Olympic Symbols and GigglePotz 
• After reading the motto, "Swifter, Higher, Stronger," have the students work with a partner to create a class motto and corresponding logo
• Use desktop publishing to publish the class mottos and the paint/draw application of a program such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, or Apple Works to design a class logo
• Publish mottos and logos in class Olympic Book
• Host a contest to determine the best motto and logo
• With the appropriate software, class motto and logos can be printed on t-shirts

Homework

During the school day, read and discuss with students the Olympic Creed: The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. This was written by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic games. For homework, have the students rewrite the Olympic Creed in their own words, students will use use desktop publishing (at home or at school) to type, edit and publish their Olympic Creed and post around the classroom.

Field Trip

Take a virtual field trip to the Olympics at Kid's Base Camp for the US Olympic Team.