1. Map Pre-Assessment In order to monitor your growth throughout the school year, you are going to take a map pre- assessment quiz. You will identify 20 countries and write the name in the space provided. This will not count towards your grade. It is simply to show how much you already know about world geography. So try your best! You will take a map post-assessment in May

2. Origins of the Olympic Games Starting in 776B.C., the greatest champions among the Greeks assembled at Olympia every four years. The purpose was to show their power and dominance over each other. Most thought of themselves as living embodiment of heroes and gods. The athletes used sports to demonstrate strength and win “undying glory” for their city- state. By proving one’s manhood in competition, any normal male could reach a higher status Coroebus – won a race in the first Olympic games; regarded as the first true Olympic athlete

4. Early Olympic Games The Olympic games were of fundamental religious importance, featuring sports alongside sacrifices for Zeus. The early Olympic games featured running events, a pentathlon (consisting of a jumping event, discus and javelin throws, a foot race, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, chariot races and equestrian events. The winners of the events were immortalized in poems and statues – one of the greatest honors a man could receive.

5. Modern Olympic Games First attempt to refurbish the Olympics came in 1796 in Revolutionary France. Greek interest in reviving the Olympic Games began with the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. In 1890, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was formed to set specific rules and guidelines. Under the new laws set up by the IOC, the first “modern” Olympics were held in Athens in 1896. (14 countries participated)

6. Modern Olympic Games In 1900, the Olympics were held in Paris followed by St. Louis in 1904. Here, 650 athletes competed, with 580 representing America. Inevitably the countries with the largest populations - America, Russia and China do well. Why do you think this is? The first winter Olympics were held in 1924 in Paris. 1 United States39252690 2 China37241980 3 Great Britain25151454 4 Russia12212457 5 Korea127625

7. Olympic Symbols The Olympic symbol consists of five intertwined rings and represents the unity of the five inhabited continents (Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe). The colored version of the rings—blue, yellow, black, green, and red - were chosen because every nation had at least one of them on its national flag. Symbol was first used in the 1920 Olympic games in Antwerp, Belgium

8. Cost of the Olympic Games Why do places compete to hold the Olympics in their home country? Over the past 50 years the most costly Games have been London 2012 ($14.8 billion), Barcelona 1992 ($11.4 billion), and Montreal 1976 ($6 billion). Beijing 2008 may have been more costly or not; the Chinese authorities have not released the data Figures do not include the money spent on transportation and infrastructure. Do you think the Olympic games have become too commercialized? Why or why not? Why would countries be willing to spend so much money on the games?

9. Discussion In your opinion, do you think the Olympic Games promotes international understanding? Why or why not? Throughout history, many countries have boycotted the games because they don’t support the politics of the host country. (US boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics) Do you support this? Or should they compete no matter what?

10. Writing Assignment For the rest of class today (and possibly homework), you will complete a short writing assignment. Get out a blank sheet of paper and copy down the instructions for each assignment. This will be due by the next class period. Worth 20 points. This assignment will also will be a pre- assessment of your writing skills and level.

11. A Personal History Who are you? In a ¾ page response, tell me about your personal history. Think of this as writing a historical biography on yourself. Make sure to include the following: Personal background: nationality, heritage, origin Your parents Early Childhood School Years Hobbies, Interests & favorites Any fun/interesting facts or stories An event that has had the MOST impact on your life Goals and aspirations for the future