Lesson Plan - Game On!

Watch a Video: Let the Games Begin
Discuss: What are some ways that the Olympic Games have changed over time?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• debut
• qualify

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about the qualities that Olympic athletes exemplify.

1. What does it mean that Elana Meyers Taylor is “hoping to add a gold to her collection”? 
This means that Meyers Taylor has already won two silver medals and a bronze medal. She is now hoping to win a gold medal, the top Olympic prize.
^{( RI.4.3 EXPLAINING IDEAS)}

2. Summarize the key ideas in the section “Making Changes.” 
This section notes that seven new sports are being added to the Winter Olympics this year, including several in which men and women compete together. A goal is to give women more Olympic opportunities.
^{(RI.4.2 SUMMARIZING)}

3. According to the sidebar, why are some people unhappy that China is hosting the 2022 Games? 
China’s government has been criticized for cracking down on certain ethnic groups and trying to silence people who ask for more freedoms.
^{(RI.4.7 USING TEXT FEATURES)}

FEATURED SKILL: Short Constructed Response
Use the skill builder “Time to R.A.C.E.” to help students use the R.A.C.E. strategy to respond to a writing prompt. 
^{(W.4.1 INFORMATIVE WRITING)}