Now's the Time to Learn About the Ancient Greek Olympics

What could be more exciting than the Olympics? Its story is long and rich. World culture and history has been deeply influenced by the lessons it imbues. Would the Ancient Greeks recognize one of their greatest traditions as it is today? Now, as we are experiencing the Olympics, it is an excellent time to go back to answer that question, as well as review the history of the Olympic Games.

From a teacher's perspective, it would be foolish not to take advantage of all the hoopla surrounding today's Olympics and utilize your students' interest. History teachers can go back to the origins to teach about ancient Greek history, philosophy and, of course, the inception of the first Olympics. The most obvious start would be a comparative lesson of then and now.

Tying into the Ancient Greek Olympics is also a great way to introduce students to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Have students explore the great philosophers' quotes online. What did they say about the games? What do their words mean to us today? Look a little further. What do the Ancient Greeks have in common with us in the United States? Participants can discuss city-states versus American states and ancient democracy versus American democracy. Ask if early American democracy is more closely related to modern American democracy or the Ancient Greek variety.

The Olympics, in general, is the perfect topic to create interdisciplinary units across the spectrum of subjects your school offers. Get inventive with you colleagues. Design an overall experience that your students will want to participate in and won't soon forget.

Ancient Greek Olympic Lesson Plans and Activities:

The lesson Olympic Competition provides students with a great overview of the modern Olympic Games. Students get to discuss their favorite sports, and compare and contrast the modern competition with the ancient version.

A Day at the Ancient Olympics is a lesson where students use a worksheet to guide their research about different athletes. This lesson allows students to compare and contrast the different character traits among athletes. This lesson is appropriate for middle school students. 

The lesson History of the Olympics incorporates the book "Hour of the Olympics" written by Mary Pope Osborne. Students research the Olympics and compare the findings to the information presented in the book. This lesson could be used with students from second grade through high school. 

Discussion Question:

Do you teach your students about the history of the Olympic Games?