The last few days, students have been visiting the country of Greece, located in Europe, bordering the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. We had a chance to talk about Mount Olympus, home of Greek gods like Zeus. We also talked about Greece being the origin of the ancient Olympiad, as well as the first modern Olympics. Most students did not know what the Olympics are so I tried to explain it to them and shared the fact that this year's Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan, July 24-August 9.
We played a game from Greece called Oyster Tag. Legend has it that if two Greek people had a dispute that they were unwilling to settle, an oyster shell was used. The dark side would represent one person and the white side the other person. The shell was tossed into the air. If it landed on your color, you got to stay in your town, while the other person had to leave town forever. Since people were not always willing to take the chance of losing, they were more willing to resolve their differences by talking them out and compromising.
I divided students into two teams, with each team using a swim noodle as a tagging tool. The oyster shell (folded paper plate) was thrown into the air. If it landed on the color that was assigned to your team, you chased the other team to the end line and tried to tag someone. If you were tagged, you had to move to the other team.
Our teacher aide prepares to throw the oyster shell (painted paper plate) in the air.
The oyster shell is thrown into the air. You can see the black side of the shell.
Students watch with great anticipation to see on which side the oyster shell will land.
The oyster shell landed with the white side showing.
The white team (carrying the blue swim noodles) chases the black team to the baseline.
Here the black team (carrying the green swim noodles) pursues the other team.
