Second-grade students at Prairie Queen Elementary stepped back in time to experience the athletic traditions of ancient Greece through their own Olympic games competition. The spirited event served as the culminating activity for the students' curriculum unit on ancient Greek civilization, bringing historical learning to life through active participation and friendly competition.

Students competed as representatives of four major Greek city-states—Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and Olympia—while demonstrating their understanding of how the original Olympic games were created to honor Zeus. The hands-on experience reinforced lessons about ancient Greek culture and helped students connect historical events to modern traditions. Throughout the unit, students explored the many lasting contributions of ancient Greece to contemporary society, discovering how concepts like democracy, theater, philosophy, and the modern Olympic games all trace their origins to this influential civilization.

The event took on additional authenticity when Principal Mr. Hiveley and Assistant Principal Ms. Logan made surprise appearances as Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the Greek gods, to observe the students' athletic competitions. Their participation added an element of excitement and helped students visualize the cultural significance of the ancient games, where athletic achievement was viewed as a way to honor the gods.

This integration of physical activity with social studies curriculum demonstrates PLCS's commitment to experiential learning that engages multiple learning styles. By participating in their own Olympic games, Prairie Queen second graders gained deeper understanding of ancient Greek culture while developing appreciation for how historical traditions continue to influence our modern world.