Inspiring kids to learn through Olympics
CHILDREN in South Tyneside are being inspired to learn through the Olympic Games.
The world’s biggest sporting event takes place in London this summer, and will include football matches at Newcastle United’s St James’s Park.
But youngsters at schools across South Tyneside will be using an Olympic-themed website to support their learning in geography, art, maths and even politics.
A new download, available for teachers from the community website Ch-arted, includes an interactive cartoon drawing from former Viz cartoonist Alex Collier, from Sunderland.
Children at Key Stage 2 can use the cartoon to design their own Olympic medals.
They will also be able to design national flags, and plot them on a map marking countries which took part in the Olympic Games when they were previously held in London in 1908 and 1948.
Emma Horsman, cultural development manager at The Customs House in Mill Dam, South Shields, which developed the site, said: “The build-up to the Olympics is now in full swing.
“And we hope that this new res- ource will not only increase young people’s interest in the games, but also help develop a variety of key skills as well. It gives teachers and educational professionals the chance to teach students about the Olympics in a fun and engaging way.”
The download, called The Big Countdown, will provide a history of the Olympics in Britain.
Children will be able to answer questions about the 1948 event, and also predict what the 2012 London Olympics will be like.
The Big Countdown is the latest download from the website, which was created in autumn last year by the Customs House, in association with educational resource specialists Shoo-fly Publishing.
Alex Collier is a former co-editor of Viz, the popular North East comic magazine.
The website is regularly updated with a wide range of interactive educational downloads to provide teachers with ideas for classroom activities.
Earlier this month, the website launched a download to coincide with the Chinese New Year, the traditional festival which started on January 23, and ends on February 6.
It includes a cartoon, also drawn by Alex, and helped children to learn about Chinese customs and food.
For more information, visit www.ch-arted.co.uk or call The Customs House cultural development team on 427 8197.
twitter: @shieldsgazette
Email to a friend
Print this page- Newcastle target Barnetta to quit Bayer Leverkusen
- Transfer Rumours update May 22: Sunderland, Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR.
- Amalfitano flies into Toon to seal Newcastle deal
- Teacher died hours after hospital sent her home
- Cats ready to Hammer out McCartney deal
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.