ProCon
Olympics
Are the Olympic Games a benefit for their host countries and cities? Scholars decide for themselves in preparation for a class debate or discussion. After reading a brief background and overview of the topic, pupils read the top three...
Olympic Museum
The Olympic Symbols
Get into the Olympic spirit with a resource about the values and symbols of the Olympic Games. With sections about prominent images of the Olympics, including the flame and the interlocked rings, the packet supplies engaging information...
Penn Museum
Maya Ball
Sure the ancient Mayan civilization had an advanced calendar and mathematical system, but did you know that they also played a great team sport like basketball? Invite your learners to discover the great ballcourt at Chichen Itza and...
ProCon
Drug Use in Sports
The ancient Greeks used performance enhancing drugs, such as opium juice, when they participated in the original Olympic Games. Pupils research a website with debate topics to decide if athletes' use of such drugs in modern sports is...
Greek Gods
Greek Gods: Ancient Greece: Ancient Olympia
This site focuses on Ancient Olympia, an archaeological site of Peloponnese, in southern Greece known as the Cradle of the Olympic Games. The Games were played in Zeus's honor; they dated back to 776 BC and were held every four years.
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: The Ancient Greek Olympics
Teaches about the origins of the Greek Olympic games and their evolution to become a significant cultural phenomenon in ancient Greece.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Winged Sandals: Olympics
A short essay that describes what the ancient Olympic games were like.
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Greek Olympic Games
Read about how the Olympic games started in ancient Greece. In 394 A.D., Emperor Theodosius I abolished the Olympics and they were not revived until the late 1800s.
Tufts University
Perseus: The Greek City States and Religious Festivals
Discusses the difference between modern and ancient Greek Olympic games, and goes into depth about the religious festivals that took place. Additional links to related material.
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Greek Games
History for Kids presents information on the history of children's games in ancient Greece. Site contains examples, activities, worksheets and quizzes.
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: Sparta
This site by Lin and Don Donn describes what life in Sparta was like and how it differed from other Greek city-states. This page helps you imagine yourself as a Spartan going to the Olympian games to cheer on your team.