LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read about the experience of an elite teen gymnast; identify the challenges and benefits of training for the Olympics as a teen; distinguish facts from myths about the Olympic Games.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 6: Use goal-setting skills to enhance health.

CASEL COMPETENCY: Self-management

KEY VOCAB

elite

potential

regional

perfectionists

Lesson Plan: My Life With Olympic Dreams

Olivia, 16, hopes to go for the gold at the 2024 Olympics. Here’s what life is like for this elite gymnast.

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “My Life With Olympic Dreams,” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What are the benefits and drawbacks of training for the Olympics as a teen?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “My Life With Olympic Dreams”; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION AND VOCAB

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz
  • Vocab Builder

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following writing prompt:

In DIARY OF AN OLYMPIC HOPEFUL, have students write two to three journal entries from Olivia’s perspective. As they write, they should use a mix of their own ideas and information learned in the article. Have them consider both the benefits and challenges of being an elite teen gymnast: For example, one entry might be about how she felt on the day she found out she had the potential to compete at an elite level. Another entry might be about a more difficult experience, such as having to forgo a family get-together because of a Saturday training session. Remind students to use their imagination and be as creative as possible!

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