3.1 The animal olympics

English home language

Grade 4

Sport

Module 18

The animal olympics

Activity 1

To express yourself imaginatively in a group and compare your ideas with those of others [lo 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.7]

CHEER . . . ALONG . . . SONG

• Work in small groups and make up a ‘War Cry’ that you can sing at sports day. Sing it to your class.

Activity 2

To listen to a story and respond to questions [lo 1.1]

LISTENING SKILL - LISTEN AND REMEMBER

• Listen very carefully while your teacher reads the following story to you. It may help if you close your eyes and rest your head on your desk. (Don’t snore!!)
• Educator to read to the class.

The Animal Olympics

The animals held a meeting once a year, they told one another all their news and then they had a gigantic party.

This year they decided to hold the Animal Olympics. The elephant suggested that they all meet back there in one week’s time.

“Then all of us can participate and attempt to win a gold medal.”

All the animals were so excited with this idea and they ran off at once to practise!

They tried so hard! They practised the high jump, long jump, javelin and pole vault. The monkeys’ attempt to throw the discus and shot put wasn’t successful.

Finally, it was the day of the Animal Olympic Games. All the animals were smartly dressed in their sports clothes, except Tommy Tortoise. He stood all alone, very sad and forlorn. “I’ve practised everyday, but I’m too slow to take part in any event,” he sobbed.

“Don’t worry, we need someone to fire the starting pistol and time the races,” said the hippo.

This cheered Tommy Tortoise up and he plodded off to the starting point. The cheetah suddenly began to sniff.

“Why are you also crying?” asked the hippo.

“If I take part, I shall win all the races, because I am the fastest animal in the world,” sobbed the cheetah. “It will not be any fun.”

“That’s no problem! I have the perfect solution for a fast runner like you. You can carry the Olympic torch and start the games.”

The cheetah was positively delighted and stopped crying.

The Animal Olympics began and it lasted all day. Everyone went home very late proudly displaying the medal they had won for one event or another. All the animals were exhausted, especially the tortoise and the cheetah!

Adapted from “ My Greatest book of bedtime Stories ” by Anne McKie and retold by the author.

• Answer the questions by highlighting the best answer supplied below.

Questions

1. How often did the animals hold a meeting?

(a) weekly

(b) twice a year

(c) annually

1. What was the purpose of their meeting?

(a) They practised for the animal Olympics.

(b) They comforted each other.

(c) They told one another their news.

1. Which animal had trouble putting the shot?

(a) the monkeys

(b) the cheetah

(c) the hippo

4. Why was Tommy Tortoise unable to take part in an Olympic event?

(a) He hadn’t practised enough.

(b) Tommy was unable to move quickly.

(c) He was crying too much when Hippo spoke to him.

1. How would you describe Hippo’s personality?

(a) He was competitive and wanted to win.

(b) He was willing to be a neutral participant in the Animal Olympics.