High-Tech Olympics

High-Tech Olympics

Nick Hunter

Published by: Heinemann-Raintree

Copyright 2012

32 Pages

Sports, Olympics, Technology, Records, Adaptive

This nonfiction selection explores the technology that is used in the Olympic games. The text covers the history of Olympic technology while also providing examples of records and how advances in technology have allowed for breaking those records. The book also visits how technology has allowed athletes who are physically disabled to become Olympic athletes.

Reading Level

Ages 8-10, Lexile Measure: 970L

Suggested Delivery

Read Aloud, Independent Reading

Electronic Resources

Visit the official Olympic website to allow students to explore the Olympic games. The website features pages on the sports, the athletes, and the history of the games.

There is a plethora of videos on youtube that explore and explain the technology used in the Olympic games. The video found here explains how athletes participating in track events are timed.

Key Vocabulary

·      Paralympic – Olympic games for physically disabled participants

·      Technology – Application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

·      Artificial – Made by human beings instead of being created naturally

·      Marathon – A race that is 26.2 miles long

·      Podium – Platform where athletes receive their medals

Teaching Strategies

            Before – Use the Think-Aloud strategy as a whole class or in a small group setting. Begin by modeling this strategy as you read the cover asking questions out loud such as “I wonder what this book will be about” or “What do I know about the Olympics?” Continue by explaining to students why you are using this strategy while reading. Next, allow students to develop a list of core questions they can ask while reading any text.

            During – Continue with the Think-Aloud strategy while reading the text. Allow students to read independently or in small groups. Be sure to model the process of thinking aloud some of the answers to the questions raised while reading the text.  

            After – Use the Popcorn Review strategy to allow students to add to the facts provided by fellow peers as well as to check for accuracy of the facts. Students are arranged in their reading groups to start and the teacher picks one student to “Pop” by standing to provide a fact. Choose a student from another group to add to the fact or correct the fact.  Continue process until every student has participated.

Writing

Have students participate in a short writing activity where they compare the technology they use in their everyday life to the technology used in the Olympic games. Allow students to use their imagination to write an informational text about a technological invention of their own.