| I’ve previously shared about an academic field day event called a THINK-A-THON. Students compete in indoor and outdoor “games” that combine running, relay racing, and teamwork with puzzles and problems to solve! Knowing a large-scale event might not be possible for all teachers, I was inspired to create this simpler version! |
This Mini-Olympiad is designed especially for gifted students. It has all the fun components of an end-of-the-year field day with running, racing, and team games. But the challenges have a twist. Each race has an added “thinking” task- a puzzle to solve or a problem to work out together as a team.
One teacher can easily manage this “Academic Field Day” with a class of up to 24 students or more, and preparation can be done in less than an hour. The puzzles and scoresheets in the packet are ready to print and only a few simple materials are needed.
The Olympiad includes both indoor and outdoor “games” that require not just speed, but also thinking! These “games” can be done in one day as a 2-hour event or spread out over several days. You can also use the outdoor games as “brain breaks” throughout the year!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS RESOURCE IN MY TPT STORE ($8)
ACTIVITIES AT-A-GLANCE
All challenges require careful reading, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
INDOOR GAMES – 4 STATIONS in your classroom or cafeteria / 45 minutes
- DIZZYING DIGITS – math problem solving
- WORD PLAY – a variety of word puzzles
- LOGIC- a variety of logic puzzles
- MIND MUDDLERS – a “mixed bag” of thinking challenges
OUTDOOR GAMES: 3 RACES on your field or playground / 60-90 min.
- LOGIC LINE-UP – a relay race to complete logic problems
- RIDDLE RACE – a race based on the well-known “Cross the River” riddle.
- MEMORY RELAY – a memory challenge and race
MATERIALS NEEDED
- one box of colored markers per team
- 2 clipboards per team
- color coding dots (blue, red, green)
- copies of clue cards and activities in the packet
- (Optional – a whistle, cones, buckets, or boxes to designate start and finish lines)
This resource was first shared in our Facebook group and several teachers provided helpful feedback. Gifted Intervention Specialist Taylor Halliday shared photos and comments, “It was AWESOME!! My 3rd and 4th Grade GT students’ enthusiasm was contagious. They had SO much fun and it was the perfect way to wrap up our year!”
Join our Facebook group and let us know if you try it out with your students!