SUMMARY
An entirely new medal event will debut at the Olympics in about two weeks: breaking, or what’s perhaps more widely known to the uninitiated as breakdancing. What began at block parties in the Bronx will be going for gold in the heart of Paris. John Yang speaks with dancer and choreographer Ivan "Flipz" Velez about the significance of this moment.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
KEY TERMS
BPM — beats per minute, otherwise known as tempo in music
musicality — skill and good judgment in playing music
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who are the breakers on Team USA?
- Where was breaking created?
- What are some of the criteria that breakers are judged on?
- When did breaking first compete at the Olympics?
- How did breaking get its name?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why do you think it's important for lesser-known sports like breaking to be represented at the Olympics? Explain your response.
Media literacy: Have you seen any coverage of the 2024 Olympics online or on TV? What are some of the popular sports that are being played in the Olympics this year?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
FOR MORE
What students can do:
Learn about Simone Biles, a world-class gymnast who will be representing Team USA in the Olympics this year, using this Daily News Lesson.
This post was written by Gianfranco Beran, a senior at Amherst College, and an intern with PBS NewsHour Classroom, and edited by NewsHour's Luke Gerwe.
Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources.
