2012 Olympic Summer Games: London, England

Celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England with our printable resources, activities, worksheets, reference materials, and lesson plans. These resources will help your students learn about past and present Olympic games, Olympic symbols and traditions, English history, and more. Plus, we have resources on the past political issues of the Olympics, information about gold medalists, and lessons incorporating the fun of the Olympic sporting events. The Games begin July 27, 2012, but check back soon to see new related resources!

England: Culture & Geography Differences Between the UK, Great Britain, England, and the British Isles Use this printable to review the key differences between Great Britain, the United Kingdom, and England—names that are often used interchangeably. This geography resource also includes information about the Commonwealth of Nations and a DK image of the British Isles to use as an overhead or transparency. London Landmarks Research major London landmarks, such as Big Ben and the Tower of London, and explain their history and importance. Modern London Landmarks Research major modern London landmarks, such as the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern, and explain their history and their function. Blitz of London Quiz Have pupils research 1940's Blitz of London before they answer this printable quiz about the catastrophic event. The Channel Tunnel Discuss the Channel Tunnel (also called the Chunnel) with your students, then give them this printable activity to research and write about its construction. Olympics: Politics & Scandal The 2012 London Olympics aren't the first to be mired in controversy. Read all about the political debate the Olympics have faced over the years. Olympic History: Controversy and 2008 Beijing Games This article explains the history and controversy behind the 2008 Summer Olympic Games that were held in Beijing, China. Learn more on why the location was protested and how the Chinese government handled the situation. Top 10 Olympic Controversies Scandals at the Olympic Games have been going on almost as long as the Games themselves. From funny to fascinating, here is a list of the top 10 Olympic controversies throughout the years. Modern Olympic Symbols & Traditions Learn about the traditions and symbols of the Olympic Games. The motto, the torch, the anthem, and other Olympic icons are discussed. History of Olympic Scandals: From Bribery to Steroids This article examines the history of Olympic scandals, such as the bidding war by potential hosts of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the discovery of steroid use by athletes during the 1970s and '80s. History of the Olympic Torch, Flame, and Relay Read about the history of the Olympic torch, flame, and relay. Since its debut in 1936, the torch relay has been controversial and criticized, but also an important symbol for the Olympic Games. Olympic Games and Politics Use this chart to learn how politics have affected and influenced the Olympic Games. Political Events and Summer Olympic Games Students create a timeline of political events and their effects on the Summer Olympic Games. Olympic History: 1968 Games and Civil Disobedience Track-and-field medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos left an indelible mark on Olympic history with their show of civil disobedience at their 1968 medal ceremony. Munich Massacre An article about the worst tragedy in modern Olympic history. Olympic Games and Politics Research Questions The research questions that accompany the "Politics & the Olympic Games" lesson plan can also be used on their own to spark classroom discussion about past Olympic Games.

Lesson Plans Modern Olympic Beginnings Mini-Lesson Use this slideshow and accompanying activities to introduce students to the beginnings of the modern Olympic Games. What Are the Modern Olympic Games? Introduce students to the history and locations of the Modern Olympic Games. Classroom Olympic Games Students recreate Olympic events by calculating distances and participating in the event. Olympic Leaders Students will write a one page report from the point of view of an Olympic athlete and present it as an oral report to the class. Write a Letter to Jesse Owens Assuming the role of a fellow athlete, Nazi supporter or African-American, students will write a letter to Jesse Owens describing their political views and their feelings about his accomplishments at the 1936 Olympic Games. Enhance your curriculum during Letter Writing Week (January) or Black History Month (February) with this lesson plan. Olympic History & References Instant Expert: Olympic Games Become an instant expert on the Olympic Games. Find motivational mini-lessons and the reference material you need to introduce the history of the Olympic Games. Olympic Facts Interesting facts about the Olympic games. Olympic History: The Birth of the Modern Games An article chronicling the rebirth of the Olympic games. Olympic Trivia Interesting trivia about the Olympic Games. Chart of Summer Olympic Games Statistics A chart showing the countries that have won the most medals at each Olympiad from the start of the modern Olympic Games in 1896 to present day. Summer Olympic Events -- Past and Present A complete list of events contested in the Summer Olympic Games -- past and present. Most Overall Summer Olympic Medals (USA) See the great American athletes who have won an Olympic medal in the summer games. More Olympic Games – Resources for Teachers Sports Worksheets Be a Sport Students invent their own sport and then play. Sports Scramble Unscramble the names of a variety of sports in this educational puzzle for children. The puzzle helps students practice spelling and problem-solving skills. Sports Awards Review famous sports awards with this worksheet. Students will read about sports awards, match each award with the correct sport, and design their own award. Deportes (Sports) Print out this activity that will challenge students to translate descriptions of sporting events from English to Spanish. How Are Sports Injuries Treated? Integrate technology and science with the questions in this printable. Students will research sports injuries and medical technologies to answer the questions about tennis elbow, arthroscopic surgery, and new treatments. Spanish Vocabulary Challenge: Sports Equipment Use a printable activity to test your students' knowledge of Spanish vocabulary, as they match types of sports with the appropriate equipment. Name That Sport: Using Jargon Kids figure out what sport is being named based on the jargon used.