We were the Sports Group. Our project was to host an inter-school, mini-olympics competition. We chose this because we wanted to help people improve their fitness and become healthier. Also, we wanted to make friends from other schools.

We learned

• that disagreeing sometimes helps make ideas better
• that deadlines can make you work faster and better
• that taking notes helps to keep organized
• that assigning one job to each person is good time management

Our advice to fourth graders is to work hard and to finish things on time. Do not mess around too much. Don’t fight too much and work together. Lastly, don’t argue too much and don’t waste too much time.

Below are individual reflections from the Sports Group. To read, click on the link and download the file.

Grace’s reflection essay

Evan’s reflection essay

Andy’s reflection essay

 The Sports Group’s Exhibition project was a sports competition for grades 3-5.

The Sports Group responded to our interview questions about their Mini-Olympics, held on 17 April.

How did the day go overall?

Our Mini Olympics went quick well although it was a tough job getting the guest visitors to calm down and listen to the instructions that they were given. I think the students enjoyed the Mini-Olympics a lot judging by their happy expressions when they participated in each event.

What were the activities offered?

Dodge Ball – Everyone had to run to the balls in hope to get one to throw at the opposition. No one was allowed to have more than 3 balls at any one time. Anyone who got hit by a ball was out, unless they were hit in the face. Anyone who caught the ball, made the person who threw out. The team with the last player still in wins.

Beanbag Game – Players were separated into two groups. Each group was on either side of the badminton net. There were 13 beanbags on each side of the net. When the whistle blew, the visitors ran to grab them and throw them to the other side of the net. Anyone who threw more than 1 bag at a time had a 1 minute timeout. The aim was to throw all the beanbags to the other side of the net. In the end,  the side with the least beanbags wins.

Obstacle Course – The obstacles included playground features: platforms, the red rope climbing frame, a rock wall, the slide, the sandpit. Runners from each team ran in pairs and had to retrieve a flag from the top of the climbing frame.

Football Game – The group was divided into four teams. Team members were numbered off from 1 to 5. When a person’s number was called they ran to the middle where there were about 30 soccer balls. They had to dribble a ball back to their team, ending their turn. Each team member got a turn. The team with the largest number of returned balls won.

Which activity seemed the favorite? How could you tell?

The obstacle course because everyone was cheering for their teammates and having a good time competing with one another to be the first to get all their players over all the obstacles.

What did you learn from organizing it?

We learned that organizing an event is not as easy as we thought it would be, and that people have fun at these types of events while getting fit.

How could you improve on the organization?

We should give the instructions more clearly and we should have students do something while they were waiting for their turn.