Gail Skroback Hennessey

World Cup 2010June 11-July 11th

The Global Game

What is the World Cup? The actual term is the FIFA World Cup. FIFA stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association. Held every four years, the championship started in 1930 and except for 1942 and 1946, it's been held ever since. This year there will be 32 countries participating and for the first time, an African country, South Africa, will host the games.

Here are some activities to learn about the country of South Africa, Soccer and the World Cup!

Using the map of South Africa, learn about the geography of the country hosting the World Cup.

Fact Monster

1.Which two bodies of water does South Africa touch?_______________ __________________

2. Which countries border South Africa?__________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ What is the capital city of the kingdom of Lesotho?_________________

3. What is the capital city of South Africa?____________

4. Name the cape found near the city of Cape Town.________________

5. Which river is the border between South Africa and Namibia?________________

6. Which city in South Africa is the furthest north?__________________

7. Which river in South Africa empties into the Indian Ocean?__________________

Webquest:

1. Established in 1898, what is the name of Africa's oldest wildlife sanctuary? _______________________Find the answer at this link:Time for Kids

2. What is the name of the blue/purple flowering trees that line the city streets of South Africa's capital city?_________________________Find the answer at this link:Time for Kids

3. Name of the famous prisoner of Robben Island, who spent over 20 years on this small seven mile island, and went on to become the President of South Africa in 1994. _______________________Find the answer at this link:Time for Kids

4. What was found near Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1886, which made the city very wealthy?______________Find the answer at this link: Time for Kids

5. The Dutch settled Cape Town and lost control of South Africa to the _________during the 1899-1902 __________war. Find the answer at this link: Time for Kids

6.What was the term for laws established to separate the whites from the blacks of South Africa?_______________ Find the answer at this link on page 11:National Geographic Kids

7. With 11 official languages and many groups of people, what is the nickname for South Africa?_____________Find the answer at this link on page 13: National Geogrpraphic Kids

8.Click on destination at the website:FIFA Offical Site Click on "stadiums" and find the name of the stadium____________and city______________where the first and final matches of the World Cup will be held.

9.Soccer may date back to 2500 BC, with a Chinese kicking game called __________. In the 1300s, the ______________played a ball game where punching, kicking and _______ the opponent was allowed since there weren't any formal rules! Find the answers at the timeline at this site:Funschool Kaboose

10: One of the greatest soccer players was___________. He scored _______goals during his career. In 1975, he joined the _____________ bringing popularity of soccer to the _____________. Find the answers at this link:Funschool Kaboose

Go to this link: FIFA Official Siteto see the 32 countries participating in the 2010 World Cup.(Click on "Teams")

T or F

1. China is participating in the World Cup:______________

2. Australia is participating in the World Cup:__________

3. Canada is participating in the World Cup:__________

4. Mexico is participating in the World Cup:_________

5. Turkey is participating in the World Cup:__________

6. Russia is participating in the World Cup:________

Cool facts about soccer and the World Cup:

In 2003, Martinho Eduardo Orige, of Brazil broke a world record for juggling a soccer ball non-stop for 19 hours and 30 minutes.

During 1976-1992, South Africa was banned from participating in the World Cup in opposition to their policy of apartheid.

The first women's FIFA took place in 1991. Twelve countries participated with the USA winning against Norway in the final match.

The country of Brazil has won the most World Cups(5) with Italy having won (4).

In 1950, the soccer team from India withdrew from the competition because they weren't allowed to play the game barefoot.

The Bicycle Kick was first done successfully by Ramon Unzaga, Chile, in 1914. The move involves throwing your body into the air, moving the legs in a scissor motion, and kicking the ball backwards over the head.

During the World Cup 2010, a new faster ball, called the Jabulani(Zulu for "to celebrate") will be used.

Nine World Cup teams will be wearing Nike uniforms made solely out of plastic bottles. Two teams wearing these unique uniforms: Brazil and the United States.

The official mascot of the World Cup 2010 is Zakumi.The green maned leopord. The name comes from "Za" standing for South Africa and "Kumi" meaning "10" in several African languages including Swahili.

from:http://www.sidelinesoccer.com/17-quick-facts-about-soccer-you-might-not-know

Activities:

Read a South African Folk Tales:http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/index.htm

Pretty cool-Take a satellite tour of the 32 Countries participating in the World Cup:
Discovery News

Fun Test your IQ on South Africa: http://www.northwood.org.uk/world%20cup%20south%20africa%20trivia.html

Watch some penguins playing soccer:-CBS NEWS

Play Soccer Smash: Funschool Kaboose

IN THE NEWS:7/9/10
One of the stars of the World Cup 2010 goes by the name Paul, no surname. Paul is an octopus(also called a cephalopod),at the Sea Life Centre,in Oberhausen, Germany. He has correctly predicted the winners of each of the six games in which Germany has played. Presented with two boxes, each draped with the flag of the playing teams, Paul has picked his mussel treat from the box with the flag of the team that has gone on to win the game. For third and fourth place, Paul has picked Germany over Uruguay. And, in the final game of the World Cup, and for the championship honors, Paul has picked...Spain over Holland. Will he be correct? Read more:
CNN
Learn more about octopus:
National Geographic
UPDATE: Paul was correct again! Spain won the World Cup. The aquarium where Paul lives says that Paul is retiring from the prediction business.
IN THE NEWS:6/17/10:
Watching the World Cup? Do you hear the buzzing of what sounds like a swarm of bees? The constant noise you hear is a musical instrument called the vuvuzela. The South African trumpet-like instrument is causing quite a stir. The noisemaker is so noisy some sports stations televising the World Cup are trying to figure out a way to filter out the sound. Read more at this website:
BBC CBBC NEWSROUND
E-Mail Gail for the key:

Gail Hennessey