6 Books and STEM Challenges to Teach About the Winter Games
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The Winter Games are just around the corner and provide the perfect opportunity to connect hands-on learning in your classroom to the relevant real-world events happening in the lives of your students. Soon enough the entire world will pause together to watch and cheer on the best athletes representing their countries as they compete in a variety of winter sports like hockey, curling, biathlon, bobsledding, ski jumping, and snowboarding.
6 Books to teach about the Winter Games with STEM:
Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
Tacky and the Winter Games by Helen Lester
Snowman Paul at the Winter Olympics By Yossi Lapid
A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet by Kurt Browning
Lucy Tries Luge by Lisa Bowes
What Are the Winter Olympics? By Gail Herman
1. Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee
Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen is a colorful, rhyming picture book. It is the story of Mr. Magee and his dog, Dee, who set out one day to learn how to ski. Your students will adventure along with the main character as he finds out that skiing is not as easy as it seems. What started out as a great day on the slopes turns into quite an unexpected adventure.
2. Tacky and the Winter Games
In Tacky and the Winter Games by Helen Lester, a team of penguins compete their way through a series of winter sports. Everyone on the team trained, prepped, and prepared to compete in the games, except Tacky. One competition after another, Tacky gets his team disqualified. Your students can follow along on this penguin journey as the misfit penguin pulls through for his team.
3. Snowman Paul at the Winter Olympics
Snowman Paul at the Winter Olympics by Yossi Lapid is the story of a snowman, Paul, who is determined to win each event at the Winter Games. This story combines the concept of truthfulness with the Winter Games. Paul is bound and determined to win, but his success pushes him a little too far. When his friend confronts him, snowman Paul has to make a hard choice.
4. A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet
A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet is a story written by four-time World Champion and professional figure skater, Kurt Browning. The author uses the alphabet to work his way through the history, techniques, and special moments of the sport of ice skating.
5. Lucy Tries Luge
In Lucy Tries Luge by Lisa Bowes, Lucy is excited to try her new luge sled, but she’s overcome by fear. Digging deep to muster up the courage, Lucy finds herself on a fun, fast adventure.
6. What Are the Winter Olympics?
What Are the Winter Olympics? by Gail Herman covers all of the ups and downs and history of the Winter Games. Just like fans around the world, your students will love learning about the cold weather sports that make up the Winter Games.
Let the Winter Games begin!
Bring the Winter Games to Life with Hands-On STEM Challenges:
Are your elementary students ready to compete in a classroom version of the Winter Olympic Games? We’ve put together 6 of our favorite winter sports and created the Winter Games STEM Bundle to help get your students excited about the Olympic Games and also engage them in hands-on STEM challenges. Your students will learn about a variety of sports played in the Olympics, build games, and compete to win their own Winter STEM Games medals. These challenges are sure to be a classroom favorite!
For more STEM ideas, inspiration, and collaboration with other STEM teachers be sure to join our FREE Facebook group Elementary STEM Teachers Club!
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