Can you do it too?
Try some throwing activities and see whether you can throw something as far as the Olympic hammer or discus throwers.
Problem
Here are some pictures of people taking part in Olympic throwing events.
The first one shows a man throwing a hammer and the second shows a woman throwing a discus.
They can throw them a long way. A recent Olympic record for throwing the hammer was about 80 adult strides and for throwing the discus was about 70 adult strides.
How far do you think you can throw a beanbag?
What would your estimate be? (When you estimate, you use what you already know to make a guess.)
Have a go!
How did your real throw compare with your estimate?
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Getting Started
Ask your friend to check your counting when you pace the distance of your throw.
Student Solutions
We only received a few ideas about this activity. Mason from Hanahauoli said:
I think 40 because it seems average in my head.
I got around 65 adult strides.
Maya and Mia from Red Hill in England both had a go at the beanbag throw as well. Mia said:
I thought that I could throw really far but I threw really close.
Maya said:
I thought that I could throw 2 metres but I threw 3 metres.
Well done to all of you for making an estimate and then comparing your estimate to your real throw!
Teachers' Resources
Can You Do it Too?
Here are some pictures of people taking part in Olympic throwing events.
The first one shows a man throwing a hammer and the second shows a woman throwing a discus.
They can throw them a long way. A recent Olympic record for throwing the hammer was about 80 adult strides and for throwing the discus was about 70 adult strides.
How far do you think you can throw a beanbag?
What would your estimate be? (When you estimate, you use what you already know to make a guess.)
Have a go!
How did your real throw compare with your estimate?
Why do this problem?
This task offers children the chance to look at Olympic records in relation to their own experiences, and encourages learners to use informal (non-standard) measures to compare distances.
Possible approach
Take the class outside, if possible, and ask the children how far they think the discus has been thrown in the Olympic Games. Help them get a sense of the distances involved using an appropriate non-standard unit of measurement, for example by actually pacing out adult strides or child strides.
Key questions
How far did you throw the beanbag?