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As the summer games begin school aged kids are sure to be inspired by young athletes from all over the world. Stories in newspapers, magazines and on TV are often more compelling to young readers who might not otherwise read the daily paper or sports magazines. In addition to watching the games there are other ways to make the most of the learning opportunities the games provide.

Making Book Connections

Here's an opportunity to spark your child's interest in reading. There are a wide variety of books: titles about the Olympic games past and present, different sports and biographies.

Olympic Summer Games 2000 (Puffin $3.99) A small but special book that includes an overview of the history of the games, plus places to keep track of the winners. It's more like a terrific souvenir for keeping records of the events.

The Olympic Games (DK $29.95) An updated coffee table book of all the Modern games from Athens 1896- the previews of the Sydney 2000 games. Photos and stories for the entire family. All ages.

Eyewitness Olympics (by Cris Oxlade & David Ballheimer, DK $15.95) Covers the history of the games, photos of outstanding events in the Modern Games and inside info on how athletes are timed, their equipment and records. 8 & up.

Let the Games Begin! (by Maya Ajmera & Michael Regan, Charlesbridge $16.95) With a forward by Bill Bradley, this book talks about the importance of teamwork and hard work it takes to build the skill needed to become an athlete- whatever sport you play and wherever you live in the world. Using photos of young people from all over the world, the book's subtext is about diversity of people and their common aspirations. 7 & up.

I Am a Gymnast (by Jane Feldman, Random House $14.99) A photo essay of an eight year old Olympian hopeful and how she works toward that dream. For older hopefuls consider

Shannon Miller's Winning Every Day (Bantam $12.95), a book by Gold medallist about eating healthy, setting goals, and working toward dreams. 6 & up.

Biographies

America's Champion Swimmer (by David Adler/illus. By Terry Widener, Harcourt $16) This is the story of Gertrude Ederle, the Olympian who was the first woman to swim the English Channel. She inspired many women with a sense of pride in an age when women were considered the weaker sex. 6-9.

Superstars Series (by Joe Layden & Ellen Miles, Simon & Schuster,$5.95 each) Meet the members of the USA's Women's Gymnastic, Basketball, Soccer & Tennis teams. These slim paperbacks are ore like a program souvenir with profiles of the probable players. 8 & up.

Wilma Unlimited (by Kathleen Krull/illus. By David Diaz, Harcourt $6) Her left leg paralyzed by polio no one believed she would walk again. But Wilma Rudolph not only beat polio, she ran her way into Olympic history, the first American to win three gold medals in a single Olympics.

Matt Christopher Sports Bios (Little Brown $4.50 each) Take your choice - young soccer fans will enjoy On the Field with Mia Hamm or In the Goal with Briana Scurry or for basketball fans try On the Court With Lisa Leslie. Matt Christopher is not just writing for boys these days! 8 & up.

Easy Readers

Go for the Gold (by Andrew Donkin, DK $3.95) Easy reading for 2nd-4th graders, this paperback includes history and photos of past events as well as a glimpse of Sydney 2000.

True Book Series (by Christin Ditchfield & Bob Knotts, Childrens' Press/Grolier $6.95 each) An outstanding collection of easy to read books with a separate title for each sport-Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Kayaking, Track & Field, Wrestling, Swimming & Diving, Martial Arts, Equestrian Events, Cycling. These are on target for 2nd-5th graders.

Making Web Connections

They will find a lot of info on www.msnbc.com site where there is a state roster, features on athletes, and daily events. The www.olympics.com site will also have lots of info for kids to explore, e.g., daily updates about the games and downloadable activities on the teacher & parent pages. At www.sikids.com Sports Illustrated for Kids will launch Olympic coverage on Sept 1st- . They will have daily updates and games that kids can play on line, plus electronic postcards of athletes kids can send to friends. Kids can also create your own international dream teams, based on research they do on the athletes and their potential to win. Even if kids can't watch all 7^û« games they will enjoy reading stories about the athletes and recording the results of competitions. All of these activities reinforce kids reading, research skills, practical uses for math, and their awareness of diverse people.

Making Geography & Map Connections

USA Geography

There are two great geography games-a good time to play them when geography means something other than a bunch of facts to memorize.

Borderline USA Game (Borderline Games $9.95) Developed by actor John Davidson for his own kids, here's a playful, painless, and entertaining way to make geography fun! This self correcting card game is not just for folks who already know their way around maps. Object is to get rid of all your cards, but you can only put cards down on a top of a card that "borders" the state, body of water or country in their hand. If you don't know, flip your card for a map that shows the borderlines. A no tears or fears geography game! 8 & up. (973) 761-6260.

Great States (International Playthings $20) The USA map game includes a board and cards that help young readers learn their state capitols, birds, flowers, and landmarks. What we really liked is that you use the map to find the answers - you're not expected to already know it all. Older players will enjoy playing with the timer- but it's not essential. 7 & up. (800) 445-8347.

Here's an opportunity to make geography come to life. When they see an athlete from Illinois or Montana, encourage them to find and mark it on a map like the This Land is Your Land USA Map (eeBoo $19.99), a handsome laminated picture map (212) 222-0823. Have kids track US team members from their own state. Which state has the great number of Olympians? Who is the oldest/youngest Olympian? Help kids make an elimination chart for team events such as the Women's Soccer Teams. Each day, they can enter which teams advanced toward the finals on the grid.

Smart Parent Tricks™:

Play the Stateside Game. Use any map for guided geography trivia. Give three clues about a certain state, i.e. what it borders, the name of a team that plays there, etc. The player "up" needs to mark that state.

Road to Victory Game: Have each family member select a team and follow their progress throughout the games. Each day read papers and/or go on line to find out how your team is doing.

Gold Medal Race: Have each family member select a county and follow their progress throughout the games. (Follow the US¥2±¹ut no one person gets the USA as their personal team.) Each day read papers and/or go on-line to see how your country is doing. Winner with the greatest number of medallists chooses dessert for closing ceremony.

As kids watch athletes from around the world they can be encouraged to find the countries represented on a world map. This is a great time to put up a map of the world or get out the globe and refer to them. Which countries have the largest teams? Which have the smallest teams?

World Geography

Odyssey Globe II (Leap Frog $129) Touch the sensor pen to the globe and it names the locale and gives facts such as capitals, population, language, money & even music. In quiz mode, players must find a locale. The original sensor globe cost nearly $300. 5-55+. (800) 701-5327.

Guess Where Activity World Maps (MapQuest $19.99 each) This National Geographic map set comes with one unmarked laminated map, a wipe-off marker, and a duplicate map that is labeled. Kids can keep a tally of how many medals have been won on the laminated map of the world.. A USA version is also available. 8 & up. (800) 626-4655.

Making Paralympic Connections

Paralympic Barbie (Mattel $23) This season Becky is playing on the Paralympic Team. She comes dressed in her red white & blue uniform in a racing wheelchair that's ready to go for the gold! Representing 125 countries and competing in 18 sports, there will be 4,000 Paralympians competing in Sydney in October 2000. (800)524-TOYS.

Way to Go, Alex! (by Robin Pulver/illus. By Elizabeth Wolf, Whitman $14.95) When Carly helps her brother (who has mental retardation) prepare for the Special Olympics she forgets to prepare him to run through the blue ribbon at the finish line. A tender story that reflects the ache as well as the pride and affection siblings have for their sibs with disabilities, 6-8.

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