This week’s theme:
Adventurous People – Paralympians
This week’s colouring in sheet:
Download and print this week’s colouring sheet here.
Fact of the week:
The first Summer Paralympic Games was held in Italy in 1960. The first Winter Paralympic Games was held in Sweden in 1976.
Activities for the week…
Activity 1
Look at some famous GB Paralympians. Do you recognise them, and can you do some actions for the para sports they’re famous for competing in?
David Weir – Wheelchair Athletics
Hannah Cockcroft – 100m / 800m wheelchair racer
Jonnie Peacock – 100m sprinter
Kadeena Cox – Runner / Athlete
Sarah Storey – Cyclist and Swimmer
Tanni Grey-Thompson – Wheelchair racer
Kelly Gallagher – Visually impaired Alpine Skiier
Lee Pearson – Para-equestrianism/ Dressage
Activity 2
Do some actions and movements for some other Summer para sports: para-archery, rowing, power lifting, table tennis, etc. What stretches might you have to do to prepare for playing these sports? What might you have to eat to be fit enough to play these sports?
What other sports are in the Paralympics (Summer) and (Winter)? Which sports are in the Special Olympics? What do you know about these sports – have you ever tried any of them?
Activity 3
Every 4 years the Paralympics start with a wonderful Opening Ceremony to welcome to Olympic flame and kick-start the Games. This ceremony is full of dance, music, lighting, props, costumes and song.
Lucy (a friend of Purple Patch) was part of the team who choreographed the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London in 2012 (see any of the first 20 minutes here)
Watch Lucy’s video below, sent especially to Purple Patch – Can you follow any of her choreography, and take up her challenge to design your own moves?
Why not take a photo of any of your moves and we’ll show them to Lucy? You can send images to melanie@purplepatcharts.org
Activity 4
MATP (Motor Activity Training Program) is non-competitive training run by Special Olympics GB to improve and develop basic motor skills needed before becoming an athlete.
Try a purple version:
- Warm-Up Activities – Try some gentle stretches; from the top of your head, move you’re your body wiggling everything in turn until you reach your toes.
- Create some Skill Stations with activities that develop skills of Mobility, Dexterity, Striking, and Kicking.
Station 1 Dexterity: Try rolling a small pea shaped paper ball, an egg sized paper ball, and a larger paper ball. How many times can you pick up and throw each up into the air and catch in a row?
Station 2 Mobility: Dash around to collect bright coloured objects that spell out ‘Sport’. Or, collect objects the colours of the Olympic rings (black, yellow, red, green, blue).
Station 3 Striking and Kicking: Listen to these songs Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas, Salt and Pepa – Push It, Get your kicks on Route 66 – Chuck Berry, and use your arms of legs to act out the ‘push/kick’ lyrics. Also, listen to these songs with excellent drumming opportunities. Use your arms or legs (or both) to hit the floor, tabletop, etc in time with the drums to In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins, 7 Nation Army – White Stripes, Superstition – Stevie Wonder, We Will Rock You – Queen, or Less Than Jake.
- Conclusion – Try some relaxation activities to cool down – try listening to this calming music and concentrate on your slow, steady breathing. Or, try some relaxing Tai Chi moves such as these.
Activity 5
The logo for 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games is ‘Zilant’ the dragon. The dragon hugs the whole logo which is emblematic of friendship, hospitality, and joy. The dragon encircles the logo as he protects and welcomes all participants and guests of the Games.
Try drawing your own hugging, protective dragon.
Or, take a look at the Paralympic mascots from over the years and design your own!
Activity 6
Some people at the Para Olympics hold, use, and succeed with their equipment in different ways to each other.
Sometimes table tennis bats are held in the mouth (see Egypt’s Ibrahim Hamadtou)
Sometimes archery is done without arms (see the USA’s Matt Stutzman)
Sometimes skiing is done with a guide to follow (see Northern Ireland’s Kelly Gallagher with her guide Charlotte Evans)
Sometimes balls are heard and not seen (see Goalball)
Try doing things in different ways, to experience how other people might do things differently to you. Try writing or drawing with your opposing hand. Rather than seeing if a person is close or far away, try listening to hear the sounds they make to work out their distance from you. Be guided to complete an activity by following somebody else who wants you to succeed.
Activity 7
Design gold, silver, and bronze medals for these specific Paralympic sports:
Boccia, Goalball, Wheelchair Basketball, Ice Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair curling.
Activity 8
Try some of the Mencap and Special Olympics GB virtual challenges (movement, throwing, hitting, kicking). See the challenge cards here or see here for some videos.
Keep score on your own scoreboard!
Activity 9
Have a dance to some of these Paralympics/Olympics positive and uplifting songs.
I am what I am (from 2012 ceremony)
Public Enemy – Harder than you think
One moment in time – Whitney Houston
Bang the Drum – Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams
Coldplay & British Paraorchestra
Why not take a photo of any of the activities you’ve tried this week and share it with us? You can share it on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or send it to melanie@purplepatcharts.org and we’ll put it online for you!
