Try out three exciting literacy ideas all based on the theme of the Olympic Torch Relay.
In this section, there are three exciting literacy ideas all based on the theme of the Olympic Torch Relay. You can read about how a school held its own Torch Relay event, or try writing a shape poem in the shape of a Torch or role-play a thrilling story about a surprise hidden in a box – you can even make up your own ending to the story!
1. A London 2012-inspired school sports day hosts its very own Torch Relay!
The big Sports Celebration event!
Torch Relay - The big sports day - 46.94kb
Kim is worried about Sports Celebration Week at school as sport is not her best subject. She is worried that she will not be picked to run in any races or get the chance to win any medals.
‘Don’t worry,’ says Mum. ‘I’m sure you will be chosen for something.’ Pickles, her tabby cat, purrs softly trying to cheer her up.
On Monday morning, Kim’s teacher makes a big announcement in class. The head teacher, Mrs Reynolds, has set a competition to see who can design the best Torch for their forthcoming Torch Relay event in their big School Sports Celebration. Kim is so excited as she is very, very good at Art and Design.
Kim designs a fantastic torch. She spends all evening at the kitchen table drawing her plans. Pickles has never seen her work so hard on anything for school. Her design even lights up to look like a flame! She has a battery torch inside it with red, orange and yellow tissue paper on the top so when you switch the battery torch on, the tissue paper glows like flames. Mum is very impressed.
Kim proudly takes her design into the head teacher’s office. ‘Wow,’ says Mrs Reynolds. ‘You have worked really hard on this, Kim. It is a fantastic design!’”
Kim watches the clock in the classroom, waiting for the special assembly at the end of the day where the winner will be announced. Finally, it is time to go into the hall. Kim is nervous as she waits for Mrs. Reynolds to make her announcement. Mrs Reynolds stands up and gives a big speech about how pleased she was with all the excellent designs. ‘After much thought,’ says Mrs Reynolds, ‘there is one design that I thought was the best of them all, and that design is by… Kim Chung!’ Kim is so excited and rushes to the stage to shake the head teacher’s hand while everyone claps.
The next day, Year 6 children spend their Science lesson making the Torch from Kim’s design.
Mrs Reynolds knocks on the door of Kim’s class and the teacher invites her in. She is holding the Torch and everyone is impressed by how it lights up to look like flames. ‘Now, for a special treat, because she did such a fantastic job… ’ Mrs Reynolds says. ‘We would like Kim to carry her Torch in the relay at the big School Sports Competition.’ Everybody claps and cheers for Kim. Kim is so pleased and can’t wait to get home to tell Mum and Pickles.
The day of the big School Sports Competition arrives and Kim proudly waits with the other Torchbearers to take part in the relay on the playground. She carries her winning Torch design high in the air in the final stretch of the race and carefully stands it on the podium… so now the competition can begin!
2. Shape poem
- Draw a large picture of the Olympic Torch shape on A4 paper, Insert the following poem or write your own, making sure the words fit to the shape of the Torch.
- Why not show your Olympic Torch shape poems on your London 2012 display board so other people can enjoy them too?
- Don’t forget to check out the Winning Words website to learn more about shape poetry.
3. What’s in the box? – a play inspired by the Torch Relay
Opening scene of a drama based on three characters (children carry on the story…)
Ana and her friend Jamal were helping Ana’s great-grandfather Archie to clean out his dusty garage. As they were moving boxes, Ana found a pretty chest of drawers that needed a good dust.
She opened the top drawer and inside was a tiny red leather box with a gold clasp.
‘Look! Look what I’ve found!’
Archie’s face lit up.
‘So, there it is! I’ve been looking for that for years!’
‘Can I open it?’ begged Ana.
‘In a minute, first I want to tell you all about this little box.’
Archie, Jamal and Ana sat down on rickety wooden crates.
‘Do you know what special event is coming to London in 2012?’
‘Of course, we’ve been learning about it at school. It’s the Olympic and Paralympic Games!’ said Ana and Jamal together.
‘Yes, you’re right. But it is not the first time the Olympic Games has come to London. This is the third time. It was first held here in 1908 when the city of Rome couldn’t hold it because they were not ready after a big volcano had erupted in their country. Then the second time was in 1948, the first time the Olympic Games was held after the Second World War, and guess who took part in those Games?’
‘Not you?’ gasped Ana.
‘“Open the box and see…’
The children can continue the story. This is the beginning section (Act 1); they need to create a middle section (Act 2) and an ending (Act 3) through drama, singing, dance or mime.
Tips for finishing the story:
- Is the torch inside the box?
- Is there a photo of Archie carrying the Flame in the 1948 relay in the box? Try drawing a picture of Archie carrying the Flame.
- Is there a programme from the 1948 Games Opening Ceremony in the box? Try making the programme.
- Maybe there is a newspaper cutting about Archie in 1948 in the box. Try and write the article.
