A Crisis of Confidence

This lesson will introduce students to the political climate of the United States in the years leading up to the 1980 Olympic Winter Games and ask them to practice their critical thinking skills by evaluating primary and secondary sources.

CONTEXT

The years leading up to the 1980 Olympic Winter Games were filled with political tension in the United States. In July 1979, President Jimmy Carter postponed his address to the nation and later delivered a speech which would become known as the “Crisis of Confidence”. While not known then, this speech from President Carter would clearly highlight why the “Miracle on Ice” hockey game at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games meant so much to the nation.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Students will:

  1. Cite specific textual evidence to support the analysis of primary and secondary sources.
  2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source.
  3. Identify the central ideas that a historical narrative addresses and the purpose, perspective, or point of view from which it has been constructed.
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Commitment to Climate Change

This lesson will introduce students to the changes in snowfall in Winter Olympic host cities.

CONTEXT

As the climate warms, winter weather patterns have been changing across the world. Various changes in global climates are impacting who can host future Winter Olympic Games. In this lesson students will examine snowfall trends in Host Cities throughout history, how this impacts the games, and what the Olympic Committee’s commitment to climate change is.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Students will:

  1. Convert measurements from the imperial system to metric
  2. Calculate percentages
  3. Walk away with actions they can take about climate change
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Additional Links

  • https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/orders/cdo/3570778.pdf
  • https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/orders/cdo/3570804.pdf
  • https://www.weather.gov/media/slc/ClimateBook/Seasonal%20Snowfall%20by%20Year.pdf
  • https://www.meteoblue.com/en/blog/article/show/39932_Winter+Olympics+2022%3A+Weather+and+Climate
  • https://www.history.com/news/winter-olympics-snow-shortage
  • https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/winter-olympics-pyeongchang-2018
  • https://www.sportecology.org/_files/ugd/a700be_9aa3ec697a39446eb11b8330aec19e30.pdf

 

MAKING HEADLINES

This lesson will invite students to reflect on how female athletes are spoken about in the media and encourage them to develop their own media literacy skills.

CONTEXT

The media often treats men and women differently. We are examining this particularly through the way female athletes and women’s sports are spoken about online. This has negative impacts on people of all genders. Students will begin to learn how media connects to real life outcomes. They will gain foundational skills to think critically about the media that we consume and its impacts.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Students will:

  1. Understand the real-life consequences of internet media.
  2. Apply critical thinking skills to real news articles about athletes.
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Mock IOC Election

This lesson will introduce students to the International Olympic Committee’s selection process for electing future Host Cities for the Olympic Games.

CONTEXT

To become a Candidate City for the Olympic Games is a lengthy process that involves incredible amounts of detail. To expose your students to the process, we have created a very simplified version for your class to complete over a series of 5 activities: Candidate City selection, Candidate City research, key game components, marketing, and final presentations. You as the teacher will act as the mock IOC panel and will decide which group will be awarded the next Olympic Games!

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Students will:

  1. Think creatively to make their presentations unique and original.
  2. Problem solve and work through challenges.
  3. Work successfully in a group setting.
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