The philosophy of Olympism developed in a society that valued individual efforts toward peace and perfection.

From the beginning of time, humans strove to overcome the many challenges presented by their environment, their culture, and their own personal weaknesses. In Europe, the first societies to harmonize these forces were the Greek city-states situated near the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. From Greek traditions of democracy and individual achievement came the sporting events that would shape the history of athletics for centuries. Though many cities held their own events, it was the games held at Olympia that dominated the entire culture for a thousand years. The spirit of Olympism was born of the efforts of these determined athletes, whose examples are still honored today.

Students will complete a map of ancient Greece, identifying key locations in the story of the ancient Olympic Games.

Students will analyze the contributions of ancient Greek society in helping to establish the foundations of the ancient Olympic Games.

Students will analyze the ways in which Greek athletes worked for excellence in overcoming physical challenges.

Students will create suggestions for promoting the spirit of peace in their homes, schools, and communities.

Video Segment #1: The Birth of the Ancient Games. Video available from Griffin Publishing Group at http://www.griffinpublishing.com/.
(Note: While the video segment is a good addition to this lesson plan, it is not essential for successful completion of the activities.)
Student Map: Ancient Greece
Student textbook and/or atlases, which have maps and descriptions of ancient Greece
Student Reading: The Ancient Games
Student Worksheet: The Ancient Games Study Sheet
Video Review Questions: The Birth of the Ancient Games (optional)

Suggested Lesson Plan:

Hand out the blank Student Map: Ancient Greece. Using texts and atlases have students fill it in with teacher-designated locations.

After completing the map, analyze how the site and situation of Greece helped to foster and spread the ancient Olympic Games.

Show Video Segment #1: The Birth of the Ancient Games, which focuses on the development of the Greek philosophy of the perfect Athenian citizen as one who was "complete"-both mentally and physically.

Pass out the Student Reading: The Ancient Games and the blank Student Worksheet: The Ancient Games Study Sheet.

• Have students work in pairs to complete the Student Worksheet in class, or assign it as homework.
• Students many refer to the Student Reading, the video, or to their textbook for information to complete the Student Worksheet.
• You may use the Video Review Questions Sheet before, during, or after viewing Video Segment #1 in place of the Student Worksheet.

Discuss the Student Worksheet in detail as you correct it in class.

• Emphasize the personal determination that ancient athletes used to become Olympic champions.
• How did the Olympics help to foster peace among the various city-states of Greece?

Discuss how the spirit of Ekecheiria -- "The Sacred Truce" -- can be transferred to the modern Olympic Games.

• How can students work to foster this atmosphere in their own homes, school, and community?

Students will turn in their completed maps of ancient Greece and their completed Student Worksheet: The Ancient Games Study Sheet.

Students will create a timeline for the ancient Olympic Games.

Students will create suggestions for promoting the spirit of peace in their homes, schools, and communities. These suggestions can be presented to the administration, or to the appropriate government agency.

Research the life of a modern-day Olympic athlete to demonstrate how he or she has set goals and overcome challenges to reach those goals.

Develop a public relations campaign to encourage young people to dedicate their lives to the Olympic ideal.

Published by Griffin Publishing under license from the United States Olympic Committee. This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable rights. All rights reserved. A classroom teacher may reproduce copies of the material in this book for classroom use only.