Imagine that your brother, sister or other family member is going to be in the 2002 Olympic Winter
Games. They have been practicing for years. Ever since you were little, you can remember the hours
and hours of practice. Now the time has come for competition and the family member is getting nervous
and a little bit afraid. You know how hard he/she has worked and you want to be able to help ease the
concern. The competitor also feels that if they don't win a medal, they will let the whole family down.
Ask each student to think about a favorite family member and imagine that they are in this situation.
With the class, brainstorm ideas of what they might say or do to help the family member. Write these
ideas on a chart so students can continue to refer to them.
Ask students to write a letter to their family member expressing their love and appreciation. Help
students to find ways to encourage their family member to strive for excellence while still reassuring
them that the family loves them no matter what. Let them know that you are proud of them for the effort
and training they have put in all of these years, and that they are already winners.
Students will describe love and support for family members through the contents of written
letters.
Large sheets of paper, magazines, newspapers, glue, and scissors
Discuss some of the qualities of a hero. Ask students to think how family members demonstrate these
qualities. Assign students to create a poster for a family member. Draw a picture of the family
member wearing a gold medal around his or her neck. Under the drawing, write their name and the words,
"You're my Olympic Hero." Find pictures or words that express the reasons why the family member is a
hero. Cut the words or pictures out and place them around the poster.
Ask students to draw themselves competing in an Olympic Winter Games event. Have them draw their
family members in the background. Students will write the words of support that they would enjoy
hearing from friends and loved ones.
