Hello, fellow Adventure Guides, Mr. Marc here!
On today’s episode, we went to one of the world’s most competitive ancient civilizations …
Greece. While we were there we competed in a decathlon against Mr. Lazy and were
crowned “Best Athlete Ever!
Thanks to Professor Maddison, we learned many exciting facts about the Greeks. We
learned how to count down in Greek … tria-duo-mia! … that the Decathlon has 10 events
and was part of the Olympics, how the marathon got its name, how the ancient Greeks
were the first democracy and got to vote for their leaders, and how learning math in
school help the ancient Greek build incredible things using architecture and engineering.
But most important, we learned that being a good sport and playing fair is the only way to
win!
While we need to exercise our muscles to keep our bodies fit, we know we need to
exercise our minds, too. That’s why our team at Adventure to Fitness created these
additional “mind adventures” for you to share with your students. There’s one mind
adventure for each grade level, each incorporating the Next Generation Sunshine State
Standards. We’ve also included vocabulary and literature recommendations to increase
your students’ brainpower even further.
Remember Adventure Guides: Be swift, be safe, and be adventurers!
Mr. Marc, out!
VOCABULARY
1. ASTRONOMY (noun): The scientific study of matter in outer space, especially the
positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of
celestial bodies and phenomena.
2. COMPETITION (noun): A test of skill or ability; a contest.
3. DECATHALON (noun): An athletic contest usually limited to men in which each
contestant participates in the following ten track and field events: the 100-meter,
400-meter, and 1,500-meter runs; the 110-meter high hurdles; the discus and
javelin throws; the shot put; the pole vault; the high jump; and the long jump.
4. DEMOCRACY (noun): Government by the people, exercised either directly or
through elected representatives.
5. DISQUALIFY (noun): To render unqualified or unfit.
6. ENGINEERING (noun): A group of modern international athletic contests held as
separate winter and summer competitions every four years in a different city.
7. GEOMETRY (noun): The mathematics of the properties, measurement, and
relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids.
8. GOVERNMENT (noun): The act or process of governing, especially the control and
administration of public policy in a political unit.
9. HURDLE (noun): A light portable barrier over which competitors must leap in
certain races.
10. JAVELIN (noun): A metal or metal-tipped spear thrown for distance in track and
field competitions. The men's javelin is about 2.6 meters (8 1/2 feet) in length; the
women's is about 2.2 meters (7 1/4 feet) in length.
11. MARATHON (noun): A cross-country footrace of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 km).
12. OATH (noun): A solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge.
13. OLYMPIC GAMES (noun): A group of modern international athletic contests held
as separate winter and summer competitions every four years in a different city.
14. PHILOSOPHY (noun): Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral
self-discipline. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality,
knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.
15. SCULPTURE (noun): The art or practice of shaping figures or designs in the round
or in relief, as by chiseling marble, modeling clay, or casting in metal.
16. SPORTSMANSHIP (noun):The fact or practice of participating in sports or a
sport. Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports,
especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing.
RESOURCES

Ancient Greece (Modern Rhymes About Ancient Times) by Susan Altman and Susan
Lechner

Archimedes: Ancient Greek Mathematician (Great Names) by Susan Keating

Atticus: The Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths by Lucy Coates

I Wonder Why Greeks Built Temples: and Other Questions about Ancient Greece
by Fiona MacDonald

Pythagoras and the Ratios: A Math Adventure by Julie Ellis

Shape Up! by David A. Adler

Squares (Shapes in Math, Science and Nature) by Catherine Sheldrick Ross

The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky

What's Your Angle, Pythagoras? A Math Adventure by Julie Ellis

When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene
Adventures in Math
Suggested Grade Level: Kindergarten
Next Generation Sunshine State Standard: MA.K.G.2.2 Identify, name, describe and
sort basic two-dimensional shapes such as squares, triangles, circles, rectangles,
hexagons, and trapezoids.
MA.K.G.2.4 Interpret the physical world with geometric shapes, and describe it with
corresponding vocabulary.
Overview: In Greek Gauntlet, we learn that the ancient Greeks were responsible for
figuring out geometry, the math of shapes and size. In this mind adventure, students will
point out shapes in the physical world while listening to a story and use them to create
their own adventure.
Content Area: Mathematics
Required Materials:
 When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene
 Drawing paper
 Crayons
Time Required: 20-25 minutes
1.
2.
3.
4.
Procedures:
Gather students together for story time and review basic shapes with them.
Read aloud, When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene.
As you read the book ask students to find shapes in the illustrations.
For additional practice, have students use circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles to
draw a picture of one of the athletic competitions Mr. Marc competed in. (cross country
race, canoe race, triple jump, ping pong, 100-meter sprint, javelin throw, high jump, 400meter hurdles, weightlifting, and relay race)
Fair and Square
Suggested Grade Level: First Grade
Next Generation Sunshine State Standard: HE.1.B.3.3 Explain the consequences of not
following rules/practices when making healthy and safe decisions.
Overview: In Greek Gauntlet, Professor Maddison shares that athletes take an oath to
play fair and obey the rules of the Olympics. In this mind adventure, students will create
a class oath and establish consequences that come from not following it.
Content Area: Health
Required Materials:
 Pencil
 Paper
Time Required: 15-20 minutes
Procedures:
1. Discuss with students why we have rules at school and how there are consequences
for not following them (e.g. no running in the halls because you could fall and get
hurt or run into someone else and hurt them).
2. Then as a class compile a list of rules we follow at school and discuss why we have
these rules.
3. Next write an oath on the board and have students copy the oath on a piece of
paper that they then sign. An example could be:
 I promise to follow all school rules.
4. Finally, have students hold up their right hand and repeat the oath after you.
The Picture of Good Health
Suggested Grade Level: Second Grade
Next Generation Sunshine State Standard: HE.2.C.1.2: Recognize the physical,
mental/emotional and social dimensions of health.
Overview: In his adventures through Greece, Mr. Marc referred to it as the place “where
holding big sports competitions really took off.” Of course, he was talking about the
Olympics! Probably everyone thinks of Olympic athletes as “the picture of health.” In
this mind adventure students will create a collage of pictures that demonstrate healthy
living.
Subject Area: Health
Required Materials:
 Old magazines
 Scissors
 Paste or glue
 Bulletin board paper
 Optional: paper and pencil
Time Required: 30-40 minutes
Procedures:
1. Solicit old magazines from parents. Sports, cooking, or health magazines are the
best, but any with large color ads will probably suffice.
2. Prepare a bulletin board with clean paper. Title it “The Picture of Health.”
3. Lead a discussion about the kinds of behaviors that lead to healthy living, (e.g.,
exercising regularly, eating properly, good hygiene, etc.). Write the healthy actions
they note on the board.
4. Divide your students into groups of four. Ask them to move their desks together.
5. Distribute the magazines. Make sure each group has at least two magazines.
6. Ask your students to tear out (entire) pages in the magazines that show pictures
of healthful actions.
7. Circulate as they work and make sure that each student can find at least one good
“healthy” picture.
8. Once they each have selected a picture, take up the magazines and hand out the
scissors.
9. Ask the students to cut out their picture.
10. As students finish, ask them to bring the picture they cut out to the bulletin
board. Ask them to tell the class what the picture is of and why they chose it. Let
them put glue on the back. Place it on the bulletin board.
11. Option: You may wish to extend the activity by asking your students to write a
description of their picture and why they chose it.
”Techathalon”
Suggested Grade Level: Third Grade
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards: HE.3.C.2.6: Discuss the positive and
negative impacts technology may have on health.
Overview: In this adventure through Greece, Mr. Marc mentioned how geometry,
astronomy, philosophy, the arts, literature and the Olympics all originated from this
ancient culture. In this mind adventure, students will discuss the technologies produced
by our society and the positive and negative impacts on health that they may bring.
Subject Area: Health
Required Materials:
 Paper
 Pencils
Time Required: 20-30 minutes
Procedures:
1. Divide the class into groups of four. Ask each group to make a list of all the
technologies they commonly use. Give them examples such as computers, video
games, mp3 players, telephones/cell phones, gaming devices, cars, buses, etc.,
2. Then ask one student from the first group to report out the group’s list. As they
do, record their list on the board.
3. Ask one student from each of the remaining groups to report out only those items
that are different from those already reported. Record them on the board as well.
4. When finished, go through their combined list on the board and for each item ask
whether the technology makes them more physically/mentally active or less
physically/mentally active.
5. Next ask…how could the technology help you to become more physically active?
(For instance, a game device might be used to be physically active, not just
mentally active.)
Relay Race – Math Style
Suggested Grade Level: 4th Grade
Next Generation Sunshine State Standard: MA.4.A.1.1 Use and describe various
models for multiplication in problem-solving situations, and demonstrate recall of basic
multiplication and related division facts with ease.
Overview: As you well know, the Greek civilization was responsible for so many amazing
advancements. Whether they were studying the stars, developing new mathematical
equations or competing in physical events, they were pushing themselves to be the best.
In this mind adventure, challenge your students in a relay… but this one is of a
mathematical nature!
Content Area: Math
Required Materials:
 Pencils
 ATF Worksheets
Time Required: 20-25 minutes
Procedures:
1. Discuss with your students what they remember from the Greece Adventure
(Greek Gauntlet)
2. Ask students how many events are in a decathlon.
3. Explain that the decathlon was a type of relay race and today they are going to
compete in a math relay race.
4. The Rules:

Students will be grouped together (clusters of 5 or 6 depending on class
size) and given one relay race sheet with math problems on it

The worksheet will start with one student in the group (face down)

When the teacher says “go!” the student with the worksheet will answer the
first question and then pass it to the next person. The last student will raise
their hand when all answers are filled in (or they can bring it to the front of
the room.
5. Go through the answers with the group. Check the groups’ answers as you go.
6. Identify the winner of the relay. If there is a tie, you can always add one more
multiplication problem for the groups to answer.
Multiplication Relay Race
Each student in your group must answer at least one of the multiplication problems. The
first group to finish with the most correct answers wins!
1)
7 javelins X 15 javelins = __________ javelins
2)
6 hurdles X 14 hurdles = __________ hurdles
3)
9 canoes X 17 canoes = __________ canoes
4)
8 sneakers X 22 sneakers = __________ sneakers
5)
4 stadiums X 37 stadiums = __________ stadiums
6)
7 meters X 26 meters = ____________ meters
Mr. Marc versus Mr. Lazé
Suggested Grade Level: 5th Grade
Next Generation Sunshine State Standard: HE.5.P.2.1 Persuade others to make positive
health choices.
Overview: In the Greek Gauntlet adventure, your students saw yet again the ongoing
debate between Mr. Marc and Mr. Lazé. In today’s mind adventure, you’ll challenge your
students to debate the very same topics that Mr. Marc and Mr. Lazé banter about.
Content Area: Health
Required Materials:
 Paper
 Pencils
 ATF Worksheets
Time Required: 30 minutes
Procedures:
1. Ask students what different things Mr. Marc and Mr. Lazé debate about.
2. Explain to students that today they are going to debate the same topics that they
do.
3. Explain that you will be grouping students into pairs to debate for or against a
certain topic.
4. Group students into 4’s (so there are two pairs).
5. Let the group of 4 select a topic at random (out of a hat or bowl).
6. Explain that two students will play the role of Mr. Marc and two students will play
the role of Mr. Lazé.
7. Give students 10-15 minutes to create a list of their key points.
8. Call each group to the front of the room to conduct their debate with the opposing
side.
Mr. Marc versus Mr. Lazé
Debate Topic Worksheet
Cheating
Why cheating is
wrong
(Mr. Marc)
Why cheating is
okay
(Mr. Lazé)
Good Sportsmanship
(Mr. Marc)
vs.
Bad Sportsmanship
(Mr. Laze)
Exercising
Why you should
exercise
(Mr. Marc)
Why you don’t
need to exercise
(Mr. Lazé)
Eating Healthy Food
Why you should
eat healthy food
(Mr. Marc)
Why you don’t
need to eat
healthy foods
(Mr. Lazé)