How to Make an Olympic Torch for Third Graders
The path of the Olympic torch, from Olympia, Greece to the site of the games, links ancient and modern histories. The fire's association with the sun symbolizes the power and purity of the event, a gathering of peace and friendship in games. The torch is relayed by runners, underscoring the need for cooperation among people. For all these reasons, creating a torch craft is a meaningful activity for third graders. And, carrying a personal torch is fun!
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Things You'll Need
- Empty paper towel cardboard tubes
- Empty toilet paper cardboard tubes
- Empty paper cups
- Colored markers, especially red, orange, yellow, black
- Aluminum foil
- Scissors
- White construction paper
- Red, yellow and orange construction paper and/or tissue paper
- Red, orange, gold, yellow and silver glitter
- Ribbons and ribbon scraps in orange, yellow, red, white
- Clear tape
- Masking tape
- Craft glue
Instructions
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Gather materials for students to design their own torch. The design of the torch varies depending on the host country of the games. Lay out all the materials gathered. Have students think about the materials and design their own torch.
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Let students be creative. Some design options include the following:
Attach a cup to the paper towel tube.
Roll a piece of white construction paper into a tube shape.
Trim a toilet paper tube into a flame shape and attach to a paper towel tube. Make evenly spaced cuts about two inches deep around the perimeter of one end of the tube. Bend the cuts to make "flames."
Have students secure the materials with tape and glue. The torches are meant to be carried so they must be sturdy. Have students think about how to fortify their torches and make them strong and functional as well as beautiful.
Let students be creative and explain their thinking as they work.
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The Olympic torch reflects the host country for the games. Shapes and colors of the Olympic torch vary by country. Have students explain as they work why they are making their design choices. Ask the students these questions: What host country might they represent? Why?
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Runners relay the torch to its final destination. When their torches are complete, have students use them in relays.
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The torch flame is kept lit for the duration of the games and extinguished at the closing ceremony. Have students track the duration of the actual games. On the final day, have students disassemble their torches.
If the Olympic games are not taking place, have students decide what country could be represented by their torch. Then have students map a route from Greece to the country. Have students estimate how many days runners would need to travel the route.
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Tips & Warnings
Third grade reading curriculum typically includes the study of myths and legends. As part of the craft project, have students read about the history of the Olympic torch and introduce them to the myths of ancient Greece. Writing standards include understanding the use of capitalization. Clarify for students why "Olympic" is capitalized. Speaking standards include poetry recitation and presentations. Have students write a poem about the torch and its symbolism. Then have students share their poems aloud.
History standards include map reading; have students identify Greece on a map. Also have students map the progress of the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony.
Science standards include understanding the sun. Explaining the symbolism of the torch's fire can encourage discussion about the relevance of the sun for ancient and modern people.
Physical education standards include balancing and throwing. Have students match the skills they are developing with the skills required for athletes in the Olympic games.
Supervise students closely as they work with the materials.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit scissors and papers image by stassad from Fotolia.com ribbon and scissors image by PHOTOFLY from Fotolia.com world map image by Andrew Brown from Fotolia.com run image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
