Merrick Elementary Schoolers Get In Olympic Spirit In Phys Ed Classes

MERRICK, NY. — As athletes from across the globe take to the ice and slopes in Milan and Cortina, Italy, Lakeside Elementary students have been having a bit of athletic competition of their own this week. Physical education teachers at the school recently held a two-week instructional unit to teach students about the Olympic Games, using class time to give the students a combination of lecture and experiential learning about the games' athletic traditions.

Students began the Olympic unit by watching video clips from past Olympics, which district officials said taught them about the values association with the games, like competition and international spirit.

Next, students got the chance to partake in some Olympic-style relays, including a torch run that culminated in the lighting of an "Olympic Flame," similar to the one present in Italy. District officials did not say Friday if their Olympic torch had started its journey in Athens, like the Milan torch did, but they did say the torch lighting set the tone for the two-week unit.

Students broke into eight teams, each with five or six students and a country assigned, to compete in five Winter Olympic events: Speed skating, bobseld, skeleton, luge and hockey.

“The children focus on teamwork, cooperation, and respect for each other,” Lakeside physical education teacher Ken Corrao said. “The sportsmanship that they have shown was just unbelievable.”

District officials said the Lakeside Olympics didn't just teach students new skills, but taught them about the character put on display during the games. District officials said students were cheering enthusiastically for their teammates and working together throughout the competition.