Olympics

You've probably noticed from the "teacher summers" title that I'm a teacher. I've graduated from multiple levels of teacher school and one of the many teaching strategies I've learned is to organize your curriculum into units. A well-planned unit can tie together disparate elements into one unifying theme. It's a great way to connect different aspects of your curriculum and it can be a memorable way for your students to connect to the material.

I am living proof that this technique works.

In the fourth grade, our theme was THE OLYMPICS. 

I have been obsessed with them ever since. 

As a fourth grader I did not truly appreciate Mrs Pateman's dedication to her curricular theme. As a teacher, I am now in awe. Everything we did that year related to the Olympics. I mean....everything. We learned how to write a biography by picking an Olympic athlete.* We designed an Olympic mascot and created a 3-D model in art class.** We even had to pick a city in the world, research it, and explain why it should host the Olympics. We had to present it to a panel of teachers who served as the International Olympic Committee and they chose one winner from the class.***

We probably only learned multiples of four in math that year, too, I've always excelled at times tables. Whenever I think of lesson units now, I marvel at the time and effort that went into my fourth grade education. I have never been the same. 

Fast forwarding to the present day, I am now in Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. My dream dream was to see the opening ceremonies and any sporting event I could get a ticket to, but the "teacher" thing got in the way. The opening ceremonies coincide with the end of my students' first week of school**** and since I do enjoy being a teacher, I thought I should be there for that. My backup dream was to come to Rio beforehand and soak in all the Olympic buzz I could. 

It started with a passport stamp at the airport.

And then...tonight. Tonight I found the Olympics Megastore. I walked around the store in a sort of manic frenzy and many people kept offering to help me and give me a bag. I, rationally, decided to go back and buy too many things at the end of the trip so I don't have to schlep stuffed animals all over South America. 

So I've done something that I'm confident Mrs. Pateman would be proud of. I've made a list of all the Olympics crap I'm going to buy so I can go in there and conquer.***** I've never considered myself a hoarder before, but I'm starting to see the light. Like, I'm saying I'm buying things for other people and I might just not give it to them.****** Like, I have a study that could easily be converted into the "Olympics Room." Like, did anyone else ever notice that my house is CONVENIENTLY DECORATED IN THE COLORS OF THE OLYMPIC RINGS?‽‽!

Whew. I'm excited. I hope they also sell luggage. 

-KT

*Where my Jim Thorpe fans at??? I know there is still a hand-stapled book written in his honor at my birth museum. 

**Mine was Goldie. It was a gold medal made of felt with pipe cleaner arms and legs. I am certain it does not still exist because my lack of crafting skills has remained constant throughout my lifetime.

***I know you're wondering if I won. I picked Melbourne, Australia, and maintain that it would be an excellent olympics host. The panel, however, felt it was too close to the Sydney Olympics and went another way. I was, unfortunately, unable to argue my case because I came down with chicken pox the week the assignment was due. I am confident to this day that I could have persuaded them in person. 

****Yeah. My students start school August 1st, y'all. 

*****This shopping trip is for you, Melbourne!!

******Even if they're children and my adorable nephews.