Third Grade
Worksheets
A Sports Great
There are many great athletes in history. Many of them went to college. Some of them were in the Olympics. Some went on to play professional sports. Jim Thorpe has been called the greatest athlete in the world.
Jim Thorpe was born in Oklahoma. No one is sure of his exact birthdate. Some people found some records. Their best guess is that he was born on May 22, 1887. He was born in a cabin. He was born in Indian Territory. His parents were Native Americans. Jim had a native name. It was Wa-Tho-Huk. His name meant Bright Path. People say that his name came from something that was happening when he was born. The sunlight was possibly shining on the path to the cabin.
Jim had a twin brother. His name was Charlie. Charlie died when he was 8 years old. Charlie always helped Jim. He helped Jim in school. After he died, Jim had a hard time. School was hard for him. He often ran away. He was sent to live at an Indian School in Kansas. He did not like it there. He ran away. He went to work on a horse ranch.
