Prepare students for the lesson with some background information about the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Discuss the many countries that will be represented at the Games. Include in the discussion the many
similarities and differences that different cultures exhibit. Transfer the discussion to the variety
of students in the classroom. How are they similar? How are they different? What talents do they
have? What makes them unique?
Have the class produce a pretend Olympic Opening Ceremony. Have them each design a flag that represents
their unique self. Have them dress up in a special way that represents something special about them or
about their state or their community.
Students will discuss and demonstrate ways that show how uniqueness contributes to the variety and
enrichment of their class and society.
One color of construction paper for the whole class (It may be any color; it just needs to be the
same), yarn, and scissors
Prepare students for the lesson with some background information about the 2002 Olympic Winter
Games. Predict what the Games would look like if everyone wore the same thing, looked the same,
did the same thing, etc. Would it be as much fun? Would it be dull? Would it be fair? What
if only boys could participate? (Explain that the first Olympic Games, held in Greece, only
allowed boys to participate.)
Have students make a simple mask out of the same color of construction paper. Instruct students
to cut two round holes for eyes, one triangle for the nose, and one rectangle for the mouth.
Cut a hole on each side of the mask around the middle of the sides and attach a piece of yarn
to each side to hold the mask in place on your face. Have the students do a simple physical
activity, such as the Hokey Pokey while wearing their masks.
Hide and Seek: Choose one person to leave the room and then select one person in the
room to hide. (Student may hide behind the teacher's desk, piano, or a large piece of
paper.) The student return and tries to guess which student is missing from the class.
The rest of the students may give him clues, saying positive and unique things about
the person who is hiding.
