Games

In class, explain to the children that the Olympic committee has asked them to create a new game for the 2016 Olympics. Explain that they will work in groups to devise a new game and will have to practise it, demonstrate it and then teach it to others in the class.

The initial planning will be completed in the classroom and then they will have the opportunity to practise their game in the hall. They can also showcase the new game at the schools Olympic and Paralympic Event.

It may be useful to show the children images from www.olympic.org/sports to remind them of the sports played in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Games Generator

Discuss the things that make a good game, for example it must be playable and enjoyable for all participants and it should have specific guidelines such as:

• an aim;
• a set number of players in each team;
• an area of play;
• rules;
• a way to score a point or goal; and
• a scoring system.

Discuss some games that are familiar to the children, for example football, camogie, tennis, badminton or rounders. Discuss the need for rules in all games. Use examples from different games to illustrate how rules make games different to one another.

• In football, only the goalkeeper can handle the ball, whereas in rugby or Gaelic football all players are allowed to handle the ball.
• In netball you cannot move with while in possession of the ball, whereas in basketball you can move while dribbling the ball.

Divide the class into groups and let them begin devising their game using the following guidelines.
The game must:

• have no more than five rules, including the scoring system;
• use no more than four pieces of equipment;
• have a set area of play;
• have a name; and
• be suitable to be played at the Olympic and the Paralympic games (if possible).

Note: It may be appropriate to limit pupil choices and decision making, depending on the ability and experience of the groups. You may wish to specify that the game has to be 3v3, you may state the playing area, some of the rules or the equipment to be used. For more information see Design a Game Template.

Form Your Committee

Give the children time to practise and work together to refine their game. Explain to them that each person in the group should have a specific role and discuss the responsibilities of each of the roles, for example:

• reporter - explains their game to others;
• scribe - records all the rules and requirements for the game to be played;
• coach - encourages others to play the game fairly and successfully;
• time keeper - encourages the group to stay focused on the task and within the time; and
• resource manager - gets all the necessary equipment.

Encourage the children to discuss and agree on their role within their group. All members of the group will need to practise their game during the lesson(s). The scribe should record the rules, instructions and equipment needed on the Design a Game Template.

Have A Go!

Give the children the opportunity to showcase their game to others. Each group should:

• Explain - describe the rules of the game;
• Demonstrate - show the game; and
• Have a go! - teach the game to the rest of the class.

Ask the children to evaluate each game in their groups. They should use the criteria given earlier to help them decide on the most successful game. They can then vote for the games they would like to be included in the Olympic and Paralympic School Event.

Inspiration

Ask each child to select an Olympic or Paralympic Sport to research (direct the children to the research sites in the right-hand column for more information). They can do this over a number of days and as part of a home learning activity.

Hold a hot-seating activity in the class. Each child will have the opportunity to sit in the hot seat and answer questions on their sport. (If necessary, draft the questions for the children and also structure the research task with the class so that they are clear on what to research).

The children should then vote for two sports they would like to learn to play. Hold some taster sessions during school, at lunch time or during after-school activities.

When the key features of the selected sport have been taught and practised, you could run a mini tournament.

Determination

Encourage the children to try out a Paralympic sport such as goal ball, boccia, blind football or sitting volleyball. Hampshire Council: Physical Activity have excellent information and suggestions on their web-pages. While playing and reviewing the games, discuss the level of determination athletes need to play and to practise many of the games, especially the Paralympic sports.