Image of an ancient Greek participating as a runner in one of the first Olympics
Art by Juan Carlos Ribas
Time Machine,

Journey to the First Olympics

Huge crowds. Giant feasts. Barefoot athletes. Welcome to the first Olympics!  

By Catherine Schmitt | Art by Juan Carlos Ribas
From the May/June 2024 Issue
Featured Skill: Figurative Language,

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Think and Read: Author's Craft

As you read, think about how the author uses descriptive details.

Inhale. Exhale. Sweat is dripping down your face. Your heart pounds in your chest. In the distance, the finish line waits. 

Who are you? You’re an athlete about to compete in the first-ever Olympic event: a race. 

The sun beats down on your back as your toes sizzle in the sand. Like the rest of the athletes, you’re barefoot! A crowd of thousands of people cheers with excitement. The competition is about to begin. 

Will you go down in history as an Olympic champion?

Inhale. Exhale. Sweat is dripping down your face. Your heart pounds in your chest. The finish line is in the distance. Who are you? You’re an athlete about to compete in the first-ever Olympic event: a race. 

The sun feels hot on your back. Your toes burn in the sand. Why? You and the other athletes are all barefoot! There is a crowd of thousands of people nearby. They cheer loudly. The race is about to begin. Will you win and go down in history as an Olympic champion?

Extraordinary Events

Extraordinary Events

The Olympics date all the way back to 776 B.C. (That’s about 2,800 years ago!) The first Olympic Games took place in ancient Greece in a city called Olympia.  

Back then, fans couldn’t watch events on TV. And there was only one event: a short race. Over time, other events were added to the Olympics, including chariot races, wrestling matches, and an ancient version of track and field. Runners would even race while wearing 70 pounds of armor!

While there were other sporting events in ancient Greece, none compared to the Olympics. Thousands of people would drop everything to travel to Olympia for these extraordinary events. Others would train their entire lives for a chance to win . . . including you!

The Olympics date all the way back to the year 776 B.C. (That’s about 2,800 years ago!) The first Olympic Games took place in ancient Greece in a city called Olympia.  

Back then, fans couldn’t watch events on TV. And there was only one event. It was a short race. Time passed. More events were added to the Olympics. They included chariot races, wrestling matches, and an old version of track and field. Runners would even race while wearing 70 pounds of armor! 

There were other sporting events in ancient Greece. But none compared to the Olympics. The events were incredible! Thousands of people would drop everything to travel to Olympia. Other people would train their entire lives for a chance to win: including you!

Then and Now

Then and Now

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Then

The Olympics were first held in Olympia, a city in ancient Greece. They took place there for more than 1,000 years. 

Then

The Olympics were first held in Olympia. Olympia was a city in ancient Greece. The Olympics took place there for more than 1,000 years. 

Christophe Coat/Alamy Stock Photo

Now

The Olympics are held in different cities around the world. The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France.

Now

The Olympics are held in different cities around the world. The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France.

Shutterstock.com

Then

There was just one sport: a race. Sports like chariot racing and wrestling were added later.


Then

There was just one sport: a race. Sports like chariot racing and wrestling were added later.

Shutterstock.com

Now

There are more than 40 sports, including gymnastics, surfing, and the newest event: breakdancing!

Now

There are more than 40 sports, including gymnastics and surfing. The newest event is break-dancing!

Shutterstock.com

Then

Champions were given crowns of olive leaves.

Then

Champions were given crowns of olive leaves.

 Peter Kovac/Alamy Stock Photo

Now

Champions are given medals. First place is awarded gold, second place gets silver, and third place receives bronze.

Now

Champions are given medals. First place is awarded gold, second place gets silver, and third place receives bronze.

Then

Women weren’t allowed to compete in the events.

Then

Women weren’t allowed to compete in the events.

Kyodo News via Getty Images

Simone Biles has won seven Olympic medals in gymnastics.

Now

Women are star athletes at the Olympics.

Now

Women are star athletes at the Olympics.

Strong and Powerful 

Strong and Powerful 

Back at the starting line, your eyes dart to the other runners. You recognize a cook from a nearby city. He looks fast—and ready to win!

Focus. You glance at the finish line,  marked by a special olive tree dedicated to Zeus. In fact, the entire Olympics are dedicated to this Greek god! 

Like most people in ancient Greece, you believe that Zeus is king of the gods.  Becoming an Olympic champion will prove you are strong and powerful, like Zeus. And now it’s your turn to shine. Ready . . . set . . . GO!

Back at the starting line, you look at all the other runners. You see a cook from a nearby city. He looks fast!                    

Focus. You look at the finish line. It’s marked by a special olive tree dedicated to a Greek god named Zeus. In fact, the entire Olympics are dedicated to this god! 

Like most people in ancient Greece, you believe that Zeus is king of the gods. If you become an Olympic champion, it will prove you are strong and powerful, like Zeus. And now it’s your turn to shine. Ready . . .  set . . . GO!


Victory Is Near

Victory Is Near

Shutterstock.com

Whoosh! In a flash, the race begins and you’re off, sprinting as fast as your legs can carry you. You cry out in pain as your feet sink into the scorching sand. Your muscles burn with each stride. But you keep running. And soon you realize . . . you’ve left the other runners in the dust! 

The finish line gets closer and closer. Victory is so near you can almost taste it. With a final burst of speed, you shoot past the finish line and win the race!

ROAR! The crowd erupts in applause as a judge places a crown of olive leaves on your head. Later, a statue of you will be built in Olympia so people can honor you for years to come. 

But for now, it’s time to enjoy your victory! Mmm. The smell of delicious roasted meats leads you toward a giant feast in your honor. 

You’re exhausted, but you smile. You’ve just become the first Olympic champion. And the world will remember you forever. 

Whoosh! The race suddenly begins and you’re running as fast as your legs can carry you. You cry out in pain as your feet sink into the hot sand. Your muscles burn with each step. But you keep running. And soon you realize that you’ve left the other runners in the dust! 

The finish line gets closer and closer. Victory is so near you can almost taste it. You shoot past the finish line with a final burst of speed. And you win the race!

ROAR! The crowd bursts into applause. A judge places a crown of olive leaves on your head. Later, a statue of you will be built in Olympia. That way, people can honor you for years to come. 

But for now, it’s time to enjoy your victory! There is a giant feast in your honor. Mmm. You smell delicious roasted meats.

You’re extremely tired, but you smile. You’ve just become the first Olympic champion. And the world will remember you forever. 

THINK AND WRITE

Imagine you’ve just spent a day at the first Olympics. Using details from the story, write a journal entry about what you saw. 

THINK AND WRITE

Imagine you’ve just spent a day at the first Olympics. Using details from the story, write a journal entry about what you saw. 

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Can't Miss Teaching Extras

Don’t get out of your time machine just yet! Head to another ancient world in “Welcome to Ancient Egypt” to take a ride down the Nile River, meet mummies, and see the pyramids.

Looking for even more adventure? Throw on your shining armor in “Life in a Castle,” a Time Machine full of tasty feasts, scary dungeons, and knights.

The Olympics learning journey doesn't stop here. We have three stories about the Olympics in this issue! Dive into the Greek myth, “Battle of the Gods,” to meet the famous Greek god, Zeus. Then have a class-wide debate with your students in “Would You Want to Be an Olympic Athlete?”

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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Table of Contents

1. Preparing to Read

2. Close Reading

3. Skill Building

1. Preparing to Read

Set a Purpose for Reading

  • Ask students to predict what this article will be about based on the headline, subhead, and image on page 17. Review the predictions after reading.

  • Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read box on page 17 and the Think and Write box on page 19. 

  • To provide your students with helpful background information about the Olympics, play the video “Let the Games Begin!”

Preview Text Features and Vocabulary 

  • Before reading, point out the terms sizzle (burn), champion (someone who has won a contest or competition), ancient (very old), dart (run or move quickly), dedicated (showing support to a person, thing, or group), and scorching (extremely hot) and review their definitions. Go over any other vocabulary terms that may be challenging for your students. 

  • Point out the illustration on page 17. Ask students to call out any details they notice about this image.

2. Close Reading

  • Read the article as a class or have students follow along as they listen to the audio Read-Aloud.
  • Project or assign the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions using all or part of the Learning Journey Slide Deck.
  • You may challenge students to either underline or highlight any details that are specific (or unique) to the particular time or place visited in the Time Machine.

Close-Reading Questions

  • Read the opening section. Who are you and what are you about to do? You’re an athlete about to compete in the first-ever Olympic event: a race. (point of view, key details)
  • What details does the author use to describe what it is like to compete in the first Olympic race? Some of the details the author uses to describe what it’s like in the first Olympics include: sweat drips down your face; the sun beats down on you; your toes sizzle in the sand; and a huge crowd of people cheers loudly. (descriptive details)
  • Read the section “Extraordinary Events.” How did the Olympics change as time passed? As time passed, other sports were added to the Olympics. These events included chariot races, wrestling matches, track and field, and even a race where runners wore 70 pounds of armor. (key details, compare and contrast)
  • Read the section “Extraordinary Events.” How were the Olympics different from other sporting events in ancient Greece? The Olympics were much more popular than other sporting events in ancient Greece. Thousands of people would drop everything to travel to Olympia to see the Olympics. (compare and contrast)
  • Read the section “Strong and Powerful.” Who were the first Olympics dedicated to? The first Olympics were dedicated to the Greek god Zeus. By becoming an Olympic champion, you could prove that you were strong and powerful, just like Zeus. (key details)
  • Read the sidebar “Then and Now.” What is one way the Olympics changed from the first Olympics to today? Answers will vary but may include: The Olympics used to be held in a city called Olympia, but now they take place in different cities. There used to be just one sport, but now there are more than 40 sports. Champions used to be given crowns of olive leaves, and now they win medals. Women weren’t allowed to compete in the first Olympics, but now women are star athletes. (compare and contrast)

Critical-Thinking Questions

  • Would you want to compete in the first-ever Olympics? Use details from the article to support your answer. Answers will vary. Sample responses: Yes, because it was an exciting and incredible event. Thousands of people came to watch. If I won, a statue of me would be built and people would honor me for years. No, because it took years to train for this event. It was hot and difficult to compete in the Olympics. (supporting an opinion)
  • Look at the sidebar “Then and Now.” Why do you think the author included this sidebar? Which detail surprised you the most? Answers will vary. Sample answer: I think the author included this sidebar to show how the Olympics have changed over time. I was most surprised by the detail that women weren’t allowed to compete in the first Olympic events. (text features)

3 Skill Building and Writing

Featured Skill: Knowledge Building

  • Discuss the writing assignment in the Think and Write box on page 19. Our online skill builder will show students how to complete the paragraph.

  • Distribute our Where Should We Go Next? Skill Builder and have students complete it in class or for homework.

Text-to-Speech