HW #3 for the 2nd quarter Due- Tuesday 1/8!

Students,
  Here is the article for the third physical education assignment!  Read the article and answer the questions below it in complete sentences!  The article is from the magazine SI Kids and it is about Paterson native Victor Cruz...

In less than a year Victor Cruz went from being a benchwarmer to becoming a star wide receiver who helped the New York Giants win the Super Bowl.  After playing in only three games as a rookie, Cruz exploded for a franchise record 1,536 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season.  An undrafted player out of the University of Massachusettes, Cruz became one of the league’s most popular players, thrilling fans with his breakaway speed and salsa dancing in the end zone after touchdowns.

                As a kid growing up in Paterson, New Jersey, Cruz developed the patience and self confidence that would help him become one of the best underdog stories in sports.  SI Kids asked the 25 year old Cruz to share some stories from his childhood to show how his early years shaped him.

Football wasn’t the first sport I tried as a kid- it was karate.  I was seven years old when I started.  I was pretty good and very dedicated.  One thing my mom taught me was When you start something you have to finish it.  Strive to finish the job.  Every three months there was a test and by the time I was 12, I had a black belt.

                I started playing football at age 11.  My dad was one of the assistant coaches on a team was headed to practice.  He asked me if I wanted to come.  I was like sure, I’ll play.  I had no clue about the game, though.  I had watched football before, but I had always wondered, Why do they keep running up the middle the whole time?  Can’t they go outside?  I was confused.

                I remember playing in my first little league football game.  I played center.  My dad begged the head coach to put me in at running back.  “Just give him the ball for one play and let’s see what happens,” he told the coach.  “If nothing happens, I won’t bother you for the rest of the year.”  The coach agreed.  I got the ball, shook two defenders, and I took it 65 yards for the touchdown.  I barely knew what I was doing!  I knew what direction to run and that was it!  Once I scored I was like Did I just do that?  Everyone was excited and jumping on me.  I didn’t play center after that.

                I also played AAU basketball.  I was a point guard.  We would go everywhere from Las Vegas to California to Hawaii.  It was a full month of travel during the summers.  One of my favorite basketball memories is when I went to the Pocono Invitational basketball tournament in 8^th grade and former NBA Star Stephon Marbury was there.  He asked me if I wanted to play him one on one.   I was the only kid to score a basket on him the whole day.  He won the game, but I scored a point!

                Staying out of Trouble

                During my summers I loved going to Six Flags Great Adventure.  It was fun to go on all of the roller coasters.  My favorite was the Batman ride.  When I was young, it has just come out.  The line was so long!  We would have to wait on line for an hour and a half to go on the ride for just 30 seconds.

                When the fall rolled around, I was excited to play football.  I was pretty good, but I didn’t know it would take me to such high levels.  I wasn’t the biggest guy growing up.  In grammar school everyone was my height, but by ninth grade you could see the difference.  I was smaller than the other guys, I had to play to my strengths.  Because I was small, I was quick.  I was shifty.  I could pass well, run well.  I was quicker than the bigger guys.  I was little, but I was strong.  I was a little firecracker. 

                Although I grew up in a tough neighborhood, my mother taught me the consequences of doing bad things like stealing cars, underage drinking and dealing drugs.   She was always keeping me busy with sports and activities.  She knew if she kept me busy, I wouldn’t have time to be in the streets.  I was so focused on basketball and football.

                Now I have a Super Bowl ring and my hard work and focus has really paid off.  Everyone always asks me about my salsa dancing, after scoring a touchdown.  When I was young, my grandmother would dance with me all the time.  She’s Puerto Rican and whenever she had the chance to dance she would.  She taught me when I was seven or eight years old.  I did the salsa after my very first touchdown last year.  It was definitely a full circle moment.  She told me I have to do it every time I score. Now I’ve got pressure to do it- but I don’t mind dancing for her. 

 Answer these questions on a seperate sheet of paper using complete sentences!
1) How does it make you feel knowing that a Paterson native has been so successful in the National Football League?
2) What activites would you like to get involved in that you are not particpating in right now?  Why did you choose that?  If you are already in activities you love, explain them and what they mean to you.
3) What college did Victor Cruz attend?
4) How many receiving yards did he have last year?
5) If you were Victor Cruz, what are some things you would do to help the Paterson community?



Don't forget about the homework challenge!!!
Homework is due Tuesday, 1/8/2013!

Extra Credit assignment.. for the students who asked me.

Students,
   This article is extra credit for those to came to me about an assignment specifically.
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/threetosee/comfort-zone

Read the article by first clicking the link.
Answer the following questions with complete sentences.

1) Which of the three players can you relate to the most and why?  Answer in at least one paragraph.
2) Which university sounded the most appealing to you out of the three?
3) What does the word elite mean?
4) Do you have what it takes to be elite in a certain skill (it can be anyhting), please explain.
5) How would you handle being as famous as any of the three women in the article?  Use a paragraph to answer. 

Good luck,
Mr Goldstein

Health Project for 6th Grade only

Body Systems Health Project

Due on Tuesday, December 11^th

Answer the following questions in complete sentences!  Carefully research your system; any wrong answers will be penalized!  This project will be a large percentage of your health grade!

1)    Which body system are you choosing for this project?

a.     Muscular                        b. Skeletal                 c. Digestive               d. Respiratory

e.   Nervous                    f. Circulatory     g. Endocrine

2)    Why did you pick the system that you chose?  Why does it interest you so much?  What is this system responsible for?  Use at least 4-5 sentences to answer this question.

3)    What are the main parts/organs of this system (bones or lungs for example)?

4)    Pick one organ from this system and explain what it does and why.  What would happen if this organ stopped working?  Use at least 4 sentences to answer this question.

5)    How can you best take care of this organ and keep it healthy?  Use two examples and explain each to answer this question.

6)    Write a list of the sources that you used for your project (books, encyclopedias or websites for example)

Suggestion- www.kidshealth.org would be a great resource to use for this project.

6th Grade Health Test review

Students,
   Here are some things you need to review for the health test coming up in your next health test.
Good luck!- Mr. Goldstein
                       What is the main organ of the muscular system?
                       Bones are the main organ of which system
                      Which system’s main job is to help with movement?

     Which system protects the heart and lungs?

    What is it called when two bones come together?

    What is the most important thing we breathe in from the air?

    What brings oxygen around the body?

      What color are the arteries?

    Why are veins blue?

     What is bile?

     What does food travel through after you swallow before it gets to the stomach?

     What does the integumentary system do?

    Which of the following is not part of the integumentary system?

     Which system is responsible for hormones?

     Which hormone is responsible for the “Fight or Flight” response?

      Which hormone signals our muscles to grow?

    Where are hormones produced?

5th Grade Health Test review (5-1 and 5-3)

Students,
   Here are things to study for your health test on your next health day (not 5-2).

1)      What is the main organ of the muscular system?

2)      Bones are the main organ of which system?

3)      Which system’s main job is to help with movement?

4)      Which system protects the heart and lungs?

5)      What is it called when two bones come together?

6)      How does a ball and socket joint move?

7)      Name an example of a hinge joint_________________________________

9)      What is the most important thing we breathe in from the air?

10)   Where does blood pick up oxygen from?

11)   What brings oxygen around the body?

12)   What color are the arteries?

13)   Why are veins blue?

14)   Where does blood bring the oxygen?

15)   Which system is the spinal cord a part of?

16)   Which nervous system controls a nerve impulse that travels from the muscle back to the brain?

17)   Which nervous system controls body processes that you do not even think about?

Good luck,

Mr. Goldstein

Homework #2 for 2nd Quarter Due 12/11/12

Students,
   Here is a link for the article for your 2nd homework of the 2nd quarter (clink the link to see the article).  After reading this article, you must answer the following questions using at least two paragraphs total.  That is at least two paragraphs for the whole assignment.  Not two per question!!!

http://thealternativepress.com/towns/paterson/articles/city-ready-to-release-1-million-for-hinchliffe-r

Questions
1- Why is this stadium important?  What historical importance does it have?
2- Would you like to see the stadium rebuilt?  Why or why not?
3- Pretend you are the mayor of Paterson.  If you had the stadium rebuilt what types of events would you hold in it?  Please use your imagination!

I look forward to reading your assignments!
-Mr. Goldstein

This assignment is due on Tuesday, 12/11/12

Hw#2 Due on Tuesday, November 20th

Landon Donovan

The midfielder rules the soccer pitch with his smooth all-around game

                Landon Donovan has enjoyed the greatest career of any U.S. men’s soccer player in history.  The 30 year old midfielder is Team USA’s leader in career goals and assists.  In the 2010 World Cup, he scored a stunning, last-gasp goal against Algeria that advanced the USA to the round of 16.  Donovan has also been impressive in Major League Soccer.  He is the L.A. Galaxy’s all time leader in goals and helped L.A. win the MLS Cup championship in 2011- his second title with the team and fourth overall. 

                A pro since age 16, Donovan has blossomed into a world-class playmaker and a dependable team leader.  Dave Sarachan, a coach with the Galaxy, credits Donovan’s unselfish game and strong work ethic for his success- and the success of his teammates.  “His personality rubs off a lot on not only the young guys but also the veterans,” says Sarachan.  “That’s what true professionals do.” 

Answer the following questions in complete sentences!

1)      Which two categories does Landon lead Team USA in?

2)      In what league did Landon win several championships?

3)      The article talks about Landon having a strong work-ethic.  What does it mean to have a strong work ethic in sports?  Use a dictionary or other sources if necessary.

4)      That last quote talks about being a true professional.  What are at least three things you need to do to be “a professional” in school?

6th Grade Health Review

6th Grade students,
   Here are things you should know for the health test on your next health day.  Make sure to study the notes in your notebook.

1) The different causes of violence.
2) Ways to positively handle stress.
3) Prejudice.
4) Abuse- physical and emotional. 
5) Harrassment.
6) What to do if someone brings a weapon to school.
7) First Aid- steps to help a friend with a cut/injury.  CPR.

Good luck students,
Mr. Goldstein

5th Grade Health Review

5th Graders,
 Here are some of the things you will need to know for the health test during your next health class.  You do not need to hand this in, it is for you to study.
Know the following

1) Steps to take care of a cut.
2) What to do if there is a fire in your home.
3) First Aid.
4) How fires start.
5) How to dress in hot/cold weather.
6) What do you need for exercising on a hot day?
7) What are things you can have in the home to prevent fires?

Good luck,
Mr. Goldstein

Fitness Quiz Review

5th and 6th Grade Students,
   Here are key things to know for the fitness quiz coming up...
1) Why do we stretch and warm up?
2) When we run, how should we breathe air in?
3) How do we save energy when running?
4) What is the scientific name for exercising the heart?
5) What are the different kinds of push-ups?
6) What is the right way to do a sit-up?
7) What does it mean to pace yourself?
8) What is the difference between a pull-up and a sit-up?
9) Which types of lifts did we learn about?

Ask me about any questions you may have?
-Mr. Goldstein

HW#1 Due October 11th

Physical Education HW #1

Classes- 5-1,5-2,5-3,6-1,6-2,6-3

Due date- Thursday, October 11^th (no later)

Article- This article is about Title IX and Candace Parker (WNBA star) from SI for Kids

__________________________________________________________________________________

What if You Couldn’t Play Sports?

WNBA star Candace Parker explains how Title IX changed everything

Forty years ago there were twelve times as many boys than girls playing high school sports.  It wasn’t because girls didn’t like playing sports- it was because they often didn’t have teams to play on.  But on June 23, 1972, the law Title IX was passed, making it illegal for women to be excluded from or discriminated against in educational programs or activities funded by the US Government.  Title IX has helped create a path for women to excel in sports and also rise to leadership positions in other careers.  SI Kids asked Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks to talk about how Title IX has impacted her life and the significance of its 40^th anniversary.

                “The anniversary of Title IX means a great deal to me.  It’s very interesting to look at it from the perspective of my family.  My mom wasn’t really able to play sports at her school in Iowa, and now she has a daughter who is able to make basketball a career as a result of Title IX.  And now I have a daughter and she’ll be able to have all the opportunities in the world because of it. 

            When I was in college at the University of Tennessee, my coach, Pat Summit, spoke to use a great deal about Title IX and the opportunities that It afforded her and our generation as well.  There would be no WNBA if Title IX had not passed

            Not only does Title IX benefit women in pro sports, but it also benefits women who play sports in college and then go on to other fields.  They’re able to learn team skills and how to work under pressure situations.  Little by little, it has allowed more women to take a step forward.  It has put women into the position to run for president of the United States.  That says a lot.

            The next step for women’s sports is to continue to grow.  We all have to realize how young women’s sports are.  Title IX was passed 40 years ago- that’s just the 1970’s.  We all have to think how young the WNBA is- we’re 16 years young.  Everybody wants to compare us to the men’s league that has been around for 60 plus years.  We have to take a step back and realize that we still have a lot more room to grow, but as a result of Title IX we’ll be able to continue in the right direction."

Answer the following questions in your own words

1)      What is Title IX (9). 

2)      How did Title IX increase the participation of women in high school sports?

3)      How was Candace Parker affected by the law?

4)      Answer #4 using a full paragraph- How would you feel if you could not play sports because of your gender?  Do you think boys and girls have fair opportunities to play sports or physical education in your neighborhood or school?

The Secret Code

The secret code is...

"School 7 students should always work hard in health and physical education!"

Hand this code in to me to receive your credit.

-Mr. Goldstein

6-2 Zanardi HW

6-2 Students,
   Here is the criteria for the letter to write to Alex Zanardi.
   It is due during your next gym day which is Friday!

Use this opportunity to write a letter to Alex Zanardi telling him what you think about him and his accomplishments.  Does he inspire you?  What would you talk to him about if he visited our classroom?  Is his story interesting to you?

Please answer this question using at least ten sentences in letter format.


-Mr. Goldstein

A few days to go

   It has been hard for me to update the blog with photos because it  has been hard to get online.  I do not have the camera cord on me now, I have the Idaho and Washington state line photos to put on when I can.  However, we are camping the next few nights and then we only have 2 ride days left after that before the end of the trip.  We exciting!  I will have pictures from Vancouver as soon as Tuesday!

Climbing in Washington

    We were welcomed into Washington with a cold rainy day!  Also, a little bit after lunch we climbed a mountain pass which entailed about 14 miles of climbing.  I have pictures of the pass signs saying how many feet the climbs were and I will post those within the next few days.  The first mountain we climbed was the Flowery Trail Pass which was 4,046 feet high.  After the exhausting climbing we had an amazing 10 mile descent into the town we were staying in, Chewelah, Washington.  What a rush, I spent most of the downhill at speeds over 40 miles per hour as I was confidently cornering the turns.
    Today (Wednesday) we had an even bigger climb.  This one was called Sherman Pass and it was over 18 miles of climbing and it finished at 5,575 feet.  The temperature was much lower at the top and I had to put gloves, a hat and arm warmers on as I got ready to ride down the mountain into Republic, Washington. 
   We are supposed to have two mountain passes to scale tomorrow and we are really working hard to get to Vancouver.  We will arrive and finish our trip on Tuesday and we are all very excited.  Stay tuned as we climb more mountains and enter into Canada on Monday!

Day Off

   I am enjoying my time here in Sandpoint, ID on my day off!  We had a long ride here (95 miles) and a break was well needed before the last 8 days of riding before the end.  Here are some pictures from the tough riding day at Glacier National Park!

Glacier National Park

    The last couple of days were the best of the trip so far!  They were filled with lots of climbing mountains, camping in the rain at the national park, and climbing even more in almost freezing weather.  We rode into the park through the mountains and it was a lot of hard work.  We did however get to descend 6 miles all the way into the park going almost 40 miles per hour the whole way.  Camping was very tough because a storm appeared out of nowhere and it got really cold and rainy.  I spent the whole night in my tent with friends because that was the only way to stay dry!
     The next morning no one felt like cycling because it was 45 degrees and drizzling.  I barely packed any cold weather clothes.  I put my feet in Zip Loc bags and had socks for my hands.  We had to climb to get to Logan Pass which was 18 miles away from the campsite and the elevation was 6,600 feet.  It was an incredible sight, I do not have pictures of this day because I did not want to take my camera in the pouring rain.  Then came the wild part.  We had to ride down the mountain when it was 35 degrees at the top.  I started to descend and my hands were frozen instantly.  Luckily there was a construction stop where a park ranger had me warm up in her car and gave me winter gloves.  Without her I do not even think I would have been able to brake or steer the bike I was so numb.  After a 12 mile descent I was at the bottom and the temperature was in the 70's.  I cycled into Whitefish from there at a more relaxed pace.  What an amazing day!  3 more days left in Montana.

We finish August, 28th.

These are pictures from an old gymnasium we slept in a few days ago in Glasgow, Montana

 

Still in Montana

Hey everyone,
   We are still in Montana, it is the 4th biggest state in the country!  It takes a very long time to bike through.  I do not have any pictures today, but tomorrow we will be riding through Glacier National Park in Montana.  There is supposed to be amazing scenery and I will be taking a lot of pictures there.
  The trip is starting to wind down as we have 13 ride days left and an off day and a build day left!  I am so excited to see Idaho and Washington.

Mr. Goldstein

Lunch time!

Everyday on our ride we have lunch about half way throughout the ride.  The van and the trailer are packed by the riders with coolers full of food that we have.  We are able to dig in and get the food we need to finish out that day's ride.  Riders also need to carry snacks with them to eat throughout the rest of the ride after or before lunch as they need them.  Since we are in Montana now, the lunch stops are not as glamorous as they are in more populated locations.  

-Mr. Goldstein

North Dakota and Montana

     It has been a little tough to blog lately because we have been in areas that have not been as populated.  I rely on the public libraries and their computers to get to my blog.  We have been in a couple of very small towns that did not have libraries.  Last night going into Montana, we camped out.  It was amazing and there were a ton of stars in the sky!  However, it will be nice to have a nice, big cooked meal for us tonight at a church here in Colbertson, Montana.  It feels like we are really getting into the homestretch of the trip! 

    A student asked me if the girls acted girly and cried during the trip.  The girls on this trip are some of the toughest girls I know.  The all cycle the miles everyday and handle themselves just as well as the boys.  This is a hard trip for everyone and we rely on each other sometimes to get through.  I also call my wife Christina sometimes back in New Jersey if I am having a tough time! 

Keep following,
Mr. Goldstein

 Intense morning fog in North Dakota

 The center of North America in Rugby, ND

 Some interesting pics of the Great Plains!

 Breathtaking sunset!

 Windfarm!  Natural energy.

Sunflowers

School 7 Students

Dear students and staff,
   Thank you for all of your support to this point.  I know summer school is ending tommorrow.  Keep looking at the site and keep commenting and as I will still be posting things even though summer school will be over.

    So yesterday we entered North Dakota and cycled our longest day of the trip.  It was 116 miles and it was made even more difficult by the fact that there was a lot of wind, which makes it hard to ride fast.  My friends and I were the first ones in and that was not until 3:45 pm.  We left at 6:15 in the morning.  It was a very hard day.  Everyone finished though, and we were rewarded with a much shorter 59 mile day today with much less wind.  We have one more cycling day before Build Day 9 out of 10.

-Mr. Goldsteion

Minnesota

Here are some nature pictures of the last of Wisconsin and Minnesota.  We passed over the Mississippi so we are more than halfway across the country!  We went to Bemidji, Minnesota which is the home to the legend of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox!  This was very exciting.  I am enjoying my day off and getting ready for North Dakota tomorrow.  Below is also a pic of it raining during sun-up when we were about to leave Pepin, Wisconsin.  

Duluth, Minnesota

Hi everyone,
   
We have just left Duluth.  It was a great city!  We had a great build day (we only have two left).   The city bordered Lake Superior (3rd Great Lake we have seen).  The scene was incredible.  The people we met were great and I have fond memories being there.  We are currently entering less populated territory so we will sometimes be going days without internet or cell phone service, it will be hard to keep everyone updated, but I will do my best!

Minnesota, the rain and sweep

Hey everyone,
 
We entered Minnesota today.  The weather was very wet!  We rode through the rain all morning and it was very difficult.  It is hard to stay warm and dry with rain pouring down on you all day.  My shoes were wet for the remainder of the day.  We had a lot of hills climbing out of Wisconsin over the river into Minnesota.  The weather mostly cleared in Minnesota and we had a great day.

   A few days ago in Wisconsin, I was assigned to ride sweep with another rider.  This is means that we ride in the back of the group and carry extra supplies and a First Aid Kit in case someone needs help.  We have to be in the rear at all times so we know everyone is safe.  Everything worked out well!

More pictures

 The football stadium at the University of Wisconsin, one of the most competitive teams in the country.

 Madison, Wisconsin has many bike paths that make riding through the city safe... here are some of the signs that show that some streets and paths are shared or are only for bicycles.  Maybe people commute everywhere they need to go by bike in this city.

 The capitol building in Madison.

 This is State Street in Madison.  Only people walking, riding bikes or buses can pass through this main street.  No cars are allowed.

 The most recent build day in Madison. 

We worked to put down this flooring in the house and get the walls ready to be put up.  We worked with a gentleman named Roy and his wife, who will be living in the home when it is completed.  Only three build days are left.