• Introduce research skills

• Research specific pieces of information on a country

• Create a travel brochure highlighting their research

• Summarize their knowledge in captions

• Access to country information from encyclopedias, almanacs, the Internet, or atlases

• Outline maps of the world (one for each student)

• Large world map (one for the class)

• Paper for brochure (8 1/2" by 11") and various coloring materials

• Computer stations with Internet access (not necessary, but helpful)

• List of countries participating in the Olympics

Have students watch the opening of the Olympic Games, particularly the Parade of Nations where all athletes walk in with the other athletes from their nation holding that country's flag.

Introduce the Summer Olympics and the nations attending using a large world map. Discuss the common links between athletes attending: they are all bound by the Olympic oath and perform under the rules of their sport as well as the rules of Olympic tradition.  Begin to discuss the differences these athletes have. Although athletes compete under the same rules and expectations, they come from different places, have different cultures, and different histories.    

Begin to look at the different countries of athletes attending the Olympics. Discuss the similarities and differences that exist between countries. All have a flag, all have a traditional dress, traditional foods, etc.   Discuss the differences: geography, climate, size, location in the world, number of athletes attending the Games, and sports represented.

Assign each student a country and have students locate their countries on the larger world map and on their world outline map. 

Using the provided research materials, students should search for at least five different elements from the suggested list.

Suggested elements to look for: picture of national flag, outline of country, description of climate, brief history, traditional dress or traditional foods, description of geographic features (hilly, flat, rivers, lakes, inland, water boundary, etc.), participants at the Olympics, animals that are unique to that country.

After students have completely gathered their five elements, they should begin designing their brochures.

Fold paper into thirds to create the brochure.  On each of the different flaps, as you open the brochure, students should place one element of research on the brochure.  Include with the picture a caption that explains the information provided by the student. 

It will be helpful to have a list of athletes attending the Olympics with information regarding what country they are from, and what events they will be in before researching begins, as this may be difficult for students to find. 

If technology is available, students could easily transfer their research information into a PowerPoint presentation rather than creating a brochure.

National Olympic Committees : Contains all the national olympic committees for countries involved in the Olympics, organized by geographic region. Many countries listed contain links to their own Olympic committee Web pages.

Sydney 2000: Official site of the Olympic 2000 games : Official Sydney 2000 Web site.  Information on athletes, countries, and sports.

• Computer(s)
• Internet Connection
• Internet Web Browser

• Select one of the elements researched and create a flyer or poster based on that information. 

Gifted Students :

• Increase the number of elements required and include the number of Olympics in which the country has participated. Present this information orally to the class.