Large picture of the Olympic Rings
Handout -
Drawing Circles
Handout -
Olympic Rings
Handout -
Circles
Crayons, pencils
Variety of small manipulatives (i.e. buttons, unifix cubes, tube pasta, coins, pebbles, etc.)
Sorting trays (or Olympic Rings handout could be used)
Explain that the Olympic Rings, a symbol of the Olympic Games, were created by Baron Pierre de
Coubertin in 1913. The five rings symbolize the five continents represented in the Modern Olympic
Games: Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. He chose the colors blue, yellow, black, green and
red because the flag of each competing nation has at least one of these colors. The colored rings
placed on a background of white became the design for the Olympic Flag. It was first flown at the
Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1920. Since then, the flag has been raised during the Opening
Ceremonies of each successive Olympic Games. The color of the rings in order from left to right are
blue-yellow-black-green-red.
Show the large picture of the Olympic Rings. Ask: "What shape are these rings?" (Circles) Print
the word 'circle' on the board. Draw a circle next to the word.
Ask students to find things in the room that are circle shaped. Let all students participate,
verbally listing and showing as many circular items as possible.
Demonstrate on the board how to draw a circle. Use the Draw Circles handout or a blank paper.
Students draw different sized circles in different colors all over the paper. Print, or let
student print, 'I can draw circles.' on the bottom of the paper.
Give each student the Olympic Rings handout. Talk about what the rings (circles) mean and have
students color the rings (in order from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green, red).
Distribute the Olympic Rings handout, and count the rings together as a group.
Pass out a variety of manipulatives, such as buttons, bread tags, large pasta tubes,
coins, small rocks, etc. and place them on tables.
In pairs or small groups, ask students to sort the manipulatives into groups of five.
Use the Circles handout or divided trays to count and sort the groups.
Encourage students to count out loud in a soft voice as they sort the manipulatives.
The teacher observes and listens as the students work. The teacher should give help to
those who do not understand the concept of five.
Using the Olympic Rings handout, students may place one item into each ring, then
putting all of them into a group of five objects.
Repeat with a variety of manipulatives. Students rotate to other manipulatives repeating
the same activity.
Students will count the Olympic Rings on their handout.
