The Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics offer an excellent opportunity to cheer on your country while practicing literacy skills. Here’s ABC Canada’s list of Olympic literacy tips and activity ideas to practice each of the 17 days of the Olympics. Go Canada!

1. Find out where the Olympic torch has travelled by looking at a map. You can practice your numeracy skills by calculating the distance travelled. A detailed map can be found here.

2. Write a note of congratulations and send it to your favourite Canadian athlete.

3. Keep track of the number of gold, silver and bronze medals won by Canadian athletes in a spreadsheet to improve numeracy and computer literacy skills.

4. Find out more about our city! Read about the Rocky Mountains and other popular tourist attractions that our Olympic guests might visit.

5. Read about interesting Olympic sports, such as bobsledding and skeleton.

6. Sing the Canadian national anthem to cheer on the teams.

7. Record all of the 2010 Olympic firsts.

8. Research information about your favourite athlete: Find out where they grew up, how they train, what their favourite food is, etc.

9. In celebration of the Winter Olympics, invite friends and family to take part in your own Olympics competition – why not hold Math Olympics!

10. Collect Olympic commemorative coins and add up your total.

11. Write trivia inspired by the Olympics. For example, Clara Hughes is the only Canadian athlete to win a medal at both the Summer and Winter Olympics – AMAZING!

12. Learn the history of the Olympics: origins, past and future host cities and then locate these host cities on a map.

13. During timed events, calculate the difference between the top athletes’ performances to improve numeracy.

14. Identify all of the colours of the Olympic rings and match each to the flag of a participating country.

15. Find out your family’s heritage and follow the progress of your ancestors’ native countries.

16. Pick a sport that you are least familiar with and read up on its rules.

17. Spell the name of one participating country that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

For more information on literacy, visit ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation’s website.

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is Canada’s private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity’s initiatives and campaigns are focused on bringing about meaningful change to raise Canadian adult literacy skills. It envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase those skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit www.abc-canada.org.

Live City Downtown: There are too many free 2010 Olympics events to count at Live City Downtown. Located at Georgia and Beatty, the site has a huge outdoor screen that will be showing interactive programming. There will be street performers, evening entertainment, pavilions, exhibits, and much more at the site.

Live City Yaletown: This free 2010 Olympics event in Yaletown will bring together international entertainment, and also feature highlights of sports coverage on the big screen. From Monday to Thursday, Live City Yaletown will have educational programs for Vancouver students in grades six to twelve (public is also welcome during these times). The best part: each evening, nightly laser and fireworks shows will explode across a backdrop of water.

BC Hydro PowerSmart Village: You and the family can get down and dance on a sustainable dance floor, create an inspirational digital message, and check out First Nation carvings in this giant interactive exhibit, located at the corner of Dunsmuir and Homer streets in downtown Vancouver.

The British Columbia Pavilion: Located at the Vancouver Art Gallery building (Robson Square), the BC Pavilion will be hosting a number of interactive displays. Visitors can also check out a bunch of live concerts, see live broadcasts from the International Media Centre, and get free admission to the Art Gallery – check out the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit! This free 2010 Olympic event location is also home to the Omega Olympic and Paralympic Countdown Clock.

Vancouver City Hall: Any history buffs in the family? They’ll enjoy checking out the 1952 Oslo Flag, encased in glass on the main floor of the building (453 West 12th Avenue). Many dignitaries will be coming in and out of the mayor’s office, and at night, you can see amazing “Ice Light” displays every hour.

West Vancouver Spirit Square: Find out what it’s like to be lost in space – families can enjoy a display of the International Space Station, and see a wide range of local musicians in the Atrium. The West Vancouver Spirit Square is located in the new community centre in West Vancouver, at 2121 Marine Drive.

Casa Italia: The Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, corner of Davie & Pacific) will be home to Casa Italia, which will feature delicious food and drinks, and live entertainment straight from Italy. This popular free 2010 Olympics event is right next to Live City Yaletown, so walk on over if you’re in the area.

Haida Gwai House: Head to the Hampton Inn (111 Robson Street) and see what a real Haida Gwai looks like. What’s that, you ask? It’s a special longhouse, and you’ll also learn more about Haida culture, art, costumes, birds and animals, and more. Haida artist Christian White will also be doing wood carving on site.

Find many more free 2010 Olympics events and directions to all the above locations here.

Visitors can bring home some of the best products made here in Canada. Find stylish, original gifts or souvenirs from artisans like Lady Dragon Glassworks, Catalyst Reaction, Australian Outback, Elroy Apparel, Ola Designs, Helen Margareta, Yutal Fusion Jewelry and many many more.

Products range from freshly made organic lotions, tea and jewellery, men’s/womens wear, home decor, bags, and accessories.

The market also will have a full Aboriginal area that has many artists displaying and selling their products. Explore what Canadian artisans have to offer!

Listen to own DJ’s spinning while you shop.

Take a break in the lounge, have a drink or some great food and enjoy watching the events on a 10-foot screen.

CANAMADE