Monday, February 15, 2010

Let the Winter Olympics Begin!

February 12-28, 2010

Mrs. Yollis and her students are excited about the 2010 Winter Olympics!

The official website of the Vancouver Olympics is filled with important Olympic information.

The Olympics are special because athletes who have been training for a long time, many for their entire lives, meet together for this international competition. Each competitor represents his/her country.



 *     *     *     *     *



Although Mrs. Yollis' class has friends from around the world and will be following all the games,
they are very excited to watch their own Team USA as they compete with
other Olympians.

 
If you would like to sign-up and receive the latest information on Team USA, click here

If you would like to see some Olympic sites on Mrs. Yollis' website, click here.

 *     *     *     *     *

The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius!
In Latin, that means Swifter, Higher, Stronger!



 *     *     *     *     *

I will be adding interesting videos/stories here throughout the Olympics: 
(Let me know if you find any to add!)
1. Halfpipe video
2. Figure skating video (a triple lutz-triple toe loop
3. U.S. Aerialist (double full full full)
4. Medal Count by Nation
5. Olympic Fun Facts 





 
Please leave comments throughout the Winter Olympics! 
Keep the conversation going!

What sport did you enjoy watching and why?

Which athlete or team demonstrated the best sportsmanship?

Do you know any Olympic facts to share?

39 comments:

  1. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I am really excited for the Winter Olympics to start. They start tomorrow night! For the Olympics I am going to watch all the sports but I am especially going to watch hockey. Yes, I do know some Olympic facts, and one of my facts is more than one billion people watch the Olympics on television.

    Your student,
    Nick

    ReplyDelete
  2. @ Nick,

    When it comes to commenting, YOU win the gold medal! :-)

    I really enjoy the Olympics too. I can't wait for the opening tomorrow when everyone parades in and they light the torch!

    Thanks for a great fact about the billion people. Where did you read that?

    Sincerely,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I am very excited for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.( in Canada) The Opening Ceremonies are tomorrow for the Winter Olympics.

    My dad loves the Olympics. In fact, he went to more than 20 events in 1984 when the Olympics were in LA.

    From,
    Sydney

    ReplyDelete
  4. @ Sydney,

    I am excited too!

    Your dad was lucky to witness so many events when they were here in Los Angeles. Which events were his favorites?

    I am definitely going to watch the opening ceremony. It is exciting when the final athlete brings the torch into the stadium and they dramatically light the Olympic torch. The final torch bearer is usually a surprise to everyone. Who do you think it will be?

    From,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  5. Haha, Mrs Yollis I agree! When it comes to commenting, Nick certainly does win the gold medal! Sydney enjoys commenting a lot too. I always remember her name because it is very Australian :-)

    Thank you for your Winter Olympic links. I have just been reading about the Australian team. We have 40 competitors which is the most we have ever sent to the Winter Olympics. I read that over 250 Americans will compete in the Olympics. Is that correct?

    Winter sports are not really Australia's strong point however we will be cheering on our team!

    It is now the weekend (yay) but I will show 2KM your Winter Olympics post and links next week.

    Your friend,
    Miss McGeady

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Mrs. Yollis

    We are a class of Third Grade students at Shanghai American School and we enjoy following your blog.

    We are hoping to see some coverage of the Winter Olympics here in Shanghai over our Chinese New Year Break.

    Unfortunately for us blogger and blogspot are blocked in China so we have to use creative ways to see your blog. Sometimes it's not so easy.

    I have added you to our blog roll so that we might be able to log on occasionally.

    Warm regards
    Xin Nian Quai Le (Happy New Year)
    Mrs. Toa and Team Toa
    http://teachers.saschina.org/stoa/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Mrs. Yollis' class,

    I am also really excited for the XXI Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics! My favorite event is the Dream Snowboard Cross. There is a video game that I have where you can compete in Olympic events. It is called Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games.

    Sincerely,
    Jerry

    ReplyDelete
  8. @ Miss McGeady,

    I'm glad you enjoyed my little Olympic joke about Nick. :-) He's a big blogger, like your Riley.

    I love the Olympics and am looking forward to watching many of the games. Right now, I am enjoying the Opening Ceremonies. The American team had 216 athletes! Wow!

    Enjoy your weekend!
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  9. @ Team Toa,

    Thanks for a terrific comment and welcome to our blog!

    We looked up Shanghai in our atlases today, and I added you to our blogroll. We certainly hope you will be able to visit us often.

    Xin Nian Quai Le! :-)
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  10. @ Jerry,

    Thanks for a fantastic comment complete with HTML code! You're a great computer student!

    Many of the students in my class knew about the video game you mentioned. I'm looking forward to watching the snowboarding events.

    Go Team America!
    :-)
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I love the Olympics a ton! Someday I'm going to play in them if I become a successful hockey player. Hockey is my favorite event in the games! I realized that we have ten more athletes than Canada. That is really surprising because Canada is the host.

    Even though my favorite hockey player, Sidney Crosby, is playing for Canada, I still want Jamie Langenbrunner (The U.S.A ice hockey captain), and the U.S.A to skate off with gold.

    What is your favorite event, and who do you want to win?

    Sincerely,
    Ben

    ReplyDelete
  12. @ Ben,

    I have to say...YOU are a gold medal commenter too! Your sentences start with the correct capitalization and end with punctuation. But what puts you in the medal range is the quality of your content.

    Here is what Panda and I like:

    1. Your comment opens with a topic sentence about how you feel about the subject of the post, the Olympics.

    2. Your explanations of what you like about the Olympics or what you are looking forward to are manifold. (Manifold is a very fancy word for many and various. It also means a pipe that branches off into several openings...but I'm not talking about that kinds of manifold.)

    3. Finally, you end your comment with a thoughtful question. That shows me you are interested in keeping the conversation going.

    Superior work, Ben!

    You asked me about my favorite event. I am looking forward to a manifold of events. First, I want to see Shaun White and his double cork, double cork, 540 into a double McTwist 1260. (That's a lot of 360˚s!) Figure skating is always fun to watch, and I'll probably be following the ski events. Because of you and Nick, I'll probably watch a little hockey!

    Have a great weekend!


    From,
    Mrs. Yollis and Panda
    (Official Judges for the Winter Olympic Comment Section)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Im Kelly From New Zealand. The Winter Olympics are cool. I liked it when the people did their ski jumps.
    P.S-cool blog!

    From Kelly
    New Zealand

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Mrs Yollis,
    Thank you for posting the information about the Winter Olympics. We loved reading your post, checking out your links and we liked the video about the halfpipe!
    Keep up your great posts about the Olympics.
    From 2KM
    Australia.

    ReplyDelete
  15. @ Kelly from New Zealand,

    Welcome to our blog! We love the Winter Olympics as well. It sounds like you are a ski jump fan. It is amazing what people are able to do! I'm looking forward to the snowboarding.
    Thanks again for visiting!

    @ 2KM,

    Thanks so much for the kind compliment! The Olympics are fantastic. I watched the parade of nations at the opening ceremony and I cheered for Team Australia when they entered the stadium! :-)

    Check back often as I am going to continue to add new videos and information to the Winter Olympics post.

    Your friend,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I love the Olympics, one of the reasons is that people from all over the world come to compete. My favorite sport in the Olympics is speed racing. What is your favorite sport in the Olympics?

    From,
    Gal

    ReplyDelete
  17. @ Gal,

    I am thoroughly enjoying the Olympics too! Last night I watched the men's moguls, the women's biathlon, and figure skating.

    Snowboarding is one of the events I am looking forward to watching.

    It is wonderful that so many countries are joining together in the international event. Athletics can really bring people together.

    See you tomorrow!

    Mrs. Yollis

    P.S. Did you see that I added some new videos to the post? I also added a medal count. Check them out!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Mrs.Yollis,

    I am really excited about the XXI Olympics! My favorite sport is Snowboarding. I think its really awsome and I like when they do many flips. Today my dad and I were watching the XXI Olympics.

    Your student,
    Jollene :)

    P.S Did you watch the XXI Olympics?

    ReplyDelete
  19. @ Jollene,

    The Winter Olympics are on for many days. They run from February 12-28, and I will be watching many more events.

    I think the ladies snowboarding events are today. If they are, I'll be watching!

    From,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I am really excited because hockey just started today in the Winter Olympics! Today the USA was playing Switzerland. Team USA won by a score of 3-1. I was really happy that Team USA won because I was rooting for them.

    I hope Team USA wins the gold medal for hockey. Do you?


    Your friend,
    Nick

    ReplyDelete
  21. @ Nick,

    Wow! A great first victory for Team USA's hockey team!

    I have been watching the Olympics all night, and I did not see any hockey. So far they've shown men's figure skating and the ladies snowboard cross. When was hockey televised?

    Of course I hope we win the gold!

    Thanks for keeping us posted about hockey.

    From,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  22. TO miss Lind yollis I LIKE your BLOG! very much from kamarah in 2KM

    ReplyDelete
  23. @ Kamarah (from 2KM),

    Thanks so much for stopping by our blog and especially for leaving a comment!

    Are you watching any part of the Olympics? I saw that an Australian won the men's moguls the other night.

    Thanks again for visiting!
    From,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Class,

    As you must know by now because of Ben, my favorite Olympic sport is hockey! :)

    One of my best memories of all time is watching the Americans beat the Russians in 1980 on their way to the Gold Medal in hockey. This was an amazing feat for several reasons. For starters, the same two teams had played just a few months before and the USA had lost badly. No one thought they could win the game but with hard work and a belief in themselves they did. It was also a political victory, of sorts, due to the fact that the USA and Russia were enemies at the time so this game became more than just a sporting event to the people of both countries.

    My friends and I ran into the streets shouting, "USA, USA, USA" and it was a great time of national pride.

    Fast forward to 2010 and we're getting set to watch the Czech Republic play Slovakia tonight. There is special national pride at stake in this game because these two countries used to be one - Czechoslovakia - but agreed to form separate nations in 1993.

    I love Olympic competition and hope everyone enjoys watching the games!

    Best,

    Eric (Ben's dad)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Dear Mrs Yollis, how great have these winter olmpics games been. My special event that I love to watch is the figure skaters. I really like watching the world champiom Kim Yu na she is so graceful and a true champion. Take care sincerly AA.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    Today I just found out that Team USA beat Team Norway.

    The score was 6-1. The people who scored were Phil Kessel ( USA), Chris Drury (USA), Patrick Kane (USA), Marius Holtet ( Norway), Ryan Malone ( USA), Brian Rafalski ( USA), Brian Rafalski ( USA).

    I was amazed that Team USA won. Now Team USA has six points, and Norway has no points.


    I watched the snowboarding half-pipe video and I thought it was amazing. My favorite part about was when the guy was upside down and he did a 360!


    Tonight I am going to watch Curling. Even though it is not on. I can watch it because I taped it on my television. Also, I am going to watch alpine skiing, and snowboarding.

    Are you going to watch any of the Olympic sports tonight?




    Best,
    Nick

    ReplyDelete
  27. @ Mr. Cohen,

    Thanks so much for a fantastic comment. I remember that hockey game you were talking about back in 1980. It was America vs. the Soviet Union (remember when it was called that?) and the Soviets had won every gold medal since 1956, except one. The U.S. was not expected to win. I was skiing in Big Bear on that day and they announced the news over the loudspeakers. The crowds in the ski lines just cheered. What a win!

    I have been following hockey more this year because of Ben and Nick! Thanks again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment!

    @ AA (from 2KM)

    The games have been so great! Unfortunately, they start at 8:00 here and run until past 11:00. Last night I tried to stay up and watch Shaun White, but it got too late. I had to watch it today!

    I didn't get a chance to see Kim Yu-Na, but I will watch for her. Thanks again for your wonderful comment!

    @ Nick,

    Thanks for a fantastic report about the hockey game! Such great details about the game. (Super capitalization and spelling!)You're like a reporter for NBC! Love it!

    My husband and I are watching the Olympics right now. The women's Super Combined is happening. Boy those women go so fast!

    Terrific post, Nick! You just get better and better!

    Sincerely,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dear Mrs Yollis,
    my name is Bianca and I am in 2km I really enjoyed the video of the sweet heart maths it was a great way of learning maths with lollies if I was in your grade I would eat them all and there would be no time for maths and I dont know if that would be good or bad ha ha nice talking to you love from bianca 2km.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    Thanks for commenting back to me on the blog. Also, thanks for saying I am like a reporter for NBC, but I want to be a reporter for the Los Angeles Kings. Do you want to be a reporter for something?

    Your friend,
    Nick

    ReplyDelete
  30. @ Nick,

    I'm glad you appreciated the announcer compliment. I really meant it, your writing skills have improved greatly through practice.

    You asked if I want to be a reporter. I kind of am a reporting with this blog. We report about what we are learning, no? :-)

    Yours truly,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    Our family enjoys watching speed skating and figure skating during these Winter Olympics. The women's individual figure skating program begins tonight starting with the short program.

    I also really enjoy watching all the medal ceremonies, no matter what the sport may be. Seeing the gold, silver and bronze medalists standing on the medal podium while listening to the gold medalist's national anthem always moves me. The sense of pride for their country, hard work, determination and "never give up" attitude that brought them there is both humbling and inspiring.

    Enjoy the games!

    Sincerely,

    Ethan's mom

    ReplyDelete
  32. @ Mrs. Kim,

    I love the Olympics as well. As you said, the determination shown by these athletes is remarkable and their national pride is evident. It's a wonderful thing to witness.

    Unfortunately, the games have run a little late for me some nights and I have missed some of the medal ceremonies. :-(

    Thanks for another outstanding contribution to our blog!

    Sincerely,
    Mrs. Yollis

    ReplyDelete
  33. Dear Mrs.Yollis's class,
    I loved your snowboarding halfpipe library. My favorite snowboarder is Shaun White because he's on team U.S.A and because he gets RADICAL air.
    Who's your favorite snowboarder?
    Your blogging buddy from Mr. Salsich's class,
    Sean

    ReplyDelete
  34. Dear Mrs .Yollis' class,

    I loved watching the half pipe trick clips. I especially liked when Shaun White did his trick that won him the gold medal.

    from,
    Benjamin (from Mr. Salsich's class)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I saw the Winter Olympics and it was amazing. My favorite part about the Winter Olympics was the ice skating because all the people were going so fast like a bird. I love the Winter Olympics.

    Sincerely,
    Marisa

    ReplyDelete
  36. @ Sean,

    I have to say my favorite snowboarder is Shaun White too. He had already won the gold medal before he did his second run. I like that he showed his Double McTwist 1260 that he'd been working on, even though he didn't need to. I, also heard that he won a gold medal.


    @ Benjamin,

    I agree with you that was pretty cool when Shaun White did the half pipe trick. What was your favorite part about it?


    @ Marisa,

    I like the Winter Olympics too. In ice skating weren't the skaters going so fast! I was amazed!


    Sincerely,
    Nick

    ReplyDelete
  37. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    My brother went to the Olympics with our Uncle Al. He got me the red mittens with the maple leaf. I liked the women's figure skating. What was your favorite sport.


    From,
    Jaxon

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    Sunday was the last day of the Winter Olympics, and it was the day of the gold medal game for men's hockey. My family and I invited Ben's family over to watch the gold medal game and Canada beat USA. The score was 3-2. With 24 seconds left in the game, we tied it up. Then the game went to overtime. Overtime is when the game is tied up and they go to the fourth period.


    Sincerely,
    Nick

    ReplyDelete
  39. Dear Mrs. Yollis and class,
    I have really enjoyed experiencing your blog! I'm in the education program at Northwest University and for my Technology class we were asked to look at your blog. This is such a cool example of using technology in the classroom! I hope to create a blog like this for my classes when I become a teacher. Thanks for the inspiration!
    From,
    Jessica

    ReplyDelete

* * *
Getting feedback is important to our writers. Let us know what you liked or what you learned.

Steps to Comment:

1. Write your comment in the box below. Be sure that you have proofread it for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. Students should have a parent check it!

2. Choose an identity. (If you have a gmail account, use it. If not, choose name/url. You can leave the url blank if you do not have a blog.)

3. Click "Publish your Comment". You may preview your comment before publishing if you'd like.


Important: All comments MUST be approved by me.
:-) Mrs. Yollis