This week’s feature looks at perseverance vs giving up. Its main story is Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s recent gold medal in the heptathlon.
She waited a long time to win a gold medal, and says that her years of disappointment helped her to keep trying and prevented her from giving up.
Other stories include a Russian singer in Los Angeles who reached a new audience when a police officer filmed her busking, and a 17-year-old Syrian who taught himself English by reading the Harry Potter books who has won a scholarship to study in Wales.
This PDF resource includes this article, as well as accompanying activity ideas:
- Debate whether we should follow Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s example of never quitting, or whether sometimes it’s good to give up. When is the right time, and how do you know?
- Write a story about a time when you didn’t give up. Describe the emotions you went through.
- Write a short play script about the possible positive and negative thoughts Katarina might have had, as the proverbial angel and devil on her shoulders
- Katarina took part in the heptathlon, but in men’s athletics there is an event called the decathlon. Investigate what this is and what’s involved.
To find out more about The Week Junior and to download its free resources, please go to schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.
Find the whole range of free Topical Tuesday resources here.
