Dramatizing+SS

The First Olympic Games

Megan Miller, Lisa Holland, Ashley Reddig, Kristina Dice Ancient Greek Olympics


 * NCSS Themes: **

Culture Time, Continuity, and Change People, Places, and Environments

 PA 8.1.6A Understand chronological thinking and distinguish between past, present, and future time PA 8.1.6D Describe and explain historical research PA 8.4.6A Identify and explain how individuals and groups made significant political and cultural contributions to world history. PA 8.4.6B Identify and explain important documents, material artifacts and historic sites in world history
 * PA Standards: **

Narrator & Announcer (same person) Runner Javelin Thrower Chariot Rider
 * Characters: **

Toga Armor Statue of Zeus Columns Horse Chariot Greek Sign (A Day in Ancient Greece) 2 signs (“Announcer” & “Narrator”) Laurel Wreath
 * Props: **

Narrator:  It is 776 B.C. in ancient Greece. We are currently in the town of Olympia, where tomorrow is the first day of the Olympic Games. All the athletes go before the statue of Zeus to swear they have trained for ten months. They also promise to obey the rules of the games. Announcer:  All athletes now enter the temple to pay homage to Zeus. All Athletes: // Runner, Javelin Thrower, & Chariot Rider walk in front of the Statue of Zeus. Say together //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">, “Zeus, I swear I have trained for ten months. I promise to obey the rules of the games.” //Bow to Zeus and walk out the door.// <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Narrator: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The sound of the trumpet means the hour has come for the games to begin. //Play sound of trumpet.// <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Narrator: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The runners are first. They are considered “foot racers” and are the oldest event of the Olympics. Some runners race wearing armor. <span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Runner (Nikeus): <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> //Walk into room and get ready to run.// I am the runner, Nikeus, I wear my armor to race. I am the best Olympian in Greece and I will win the Laurel Wreath. <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Announcer: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The first game begins. Runners get ready. //Hit stick against can for ‘go’ signal.// <span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Runner: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> //Run across room fast. After running, walk to the side of the room and watch the other athletes, clapping as they perform their task.// <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Announcer: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The winner of the footrace is Nikeus. <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Narrator: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The javelin throwers are second. Javelin throwing consists of holding the javelin in your hand, pulling your arm back past your head, and throwing the javelin toward the target. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Javelin Thrower (Jave): <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> //Walk into room and get ready to throw.// I am Jave, the greatest javelin thrower in all of Greece. <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Announcer: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Javelin throwers get ready. //Hit stick against can for ‘go’ signal.// <span style="color: #365f91; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Javelin Thrower: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> //Throw the javelin at the target. Walk to the side of the room and watch the other athletes, clapping as they perform their task.// <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Announcer: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The winner of the javelin throw is Jave. <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Narrator: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The chariot races are last. Winning a chariot race is the greatest honor of the games. <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Chariot Racer (Equious): <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> //Walk into room and get ready to race.// I am Equious. This is bolt //(point to horse.)// He is the fastest in the land. <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Announcer: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Chariot racers get ready. //Hit the stick against the can for ‘go’ signal.// <span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Chariot Racer: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> //Race across room with chariot and horse. Walk to the side of the room.// <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Announcer: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The winner of the chariot race is Equious. <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Narrator: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> All champions come to the center of the arena for the crowing of the Laurel Wreath. All hail Nikeus, champion of the foot race //(crown Nikeus).// All hail Jave, champion of the javelin throw //(crown Jave).// All hail Equious, champion of the chariot race //(crown Equious).// <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Narrator: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Greek athletes believed that having a physically fit body was a way to honor Zeus. Every four years, the games were held in several cities, including the town of Olympia, for five days in August. The modern Olympics were named after Olympia and these first games.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Script: **