 | Sports are a big part of our lives. In the United States, and all over the world, sports competitions are followed closely by fans, adding excitement and entertainment to life. Sports also give us activities to do just for fun, or for fitness. They provide a way to exercise the body and get out in the fresh air. They provide a way to relieve stress, take our minds off problems, or get rid of anger in a healthy way. Sports also provide challenges, and teach us how to challenge ourselves to do better each time. They show us the rewards of practice, self discipline, and sticking with things ´til the end. |
Statistics
Mike, 13, looks through mud for bait fish he caught at Riverside Pavilion Park in Port Orange Tuesday, December 27, 2005. (Photo: News-Journal/Jessica Webb) | FISHING
Fishing offers quality time with family and friends. It´s a great opportunity to enjoy the fresh air as well as sights and sounds of Florida´s outdoors.
Online Exploration:
News-Journal Activity:
| Newspaper activities:
- Look for photos of people fishing in the newspaper. Draw a similar picture of yourself and your friends.
- Check the newspaper for the location of the fish are biting. Interview one of the fisherman and write an article about your day.
- What kinds of fish do we have in Florida? Are there more Fresh Water or more Salt Water fish species? Which type of fish is more common to this area? Make a chart of your findings.
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BASEBALL
Baseball is a game of statistics and there are many math opportunities. Baseball also involves vocabulary, physics, and history (baseball is America´s national pasttime!) Online Exploration:
| Physics
Jacob, 12, warms up ´on deck´ for the Braves during a game against the Phillies. Kids ranging in age from 5-14 play twice a week for the PONY league, an intermediate league designed to give younger players experience before the spring season. (Photo: News-Journal/Jim Tiller) | Newspaper activities:
- Look for photos of ball players in the newspaper. Draw a similar picture of yourself and your friends playing baseball.
- Check the newspaper for the location of a local baseball game. Interview one of the players and write an article about the team.
- Which of the National League teams has won the most championships? Which American League team has won the most championships? Which teams have never won a championship? Make a chart of your findings.
- Collect newspaper stories and sports columns about your local baseball teams. Make a chart listing the strengths and weaknesses of each team based on the newspaper stories. Make a prediction on which team you think will win and why.
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Statistics
David, Josh, and Shane play basketball at Pettis Park in New Smyrna Beach. (Photo: News-Journal/Roger Simms) | BASKETBALL
Basketball is a game that uses math and complex thinking. It also requires effective communication and collaboration. Online Exploration:
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BOWLING
Bowling has many health benefits, such as improved balance and endurance. There are math and physics opportunities. Bowling also teaches you to stay focused on a task. There is a lot more to bowling than simply throwing a ball down a stretch of wood to knock over some pins! Online Exploration:
| Balance
Christy, a member of the New Smyrna Beach High School Bowling Team, practices her sport. (Photo: News-Journal/Roger Simms) |
Control
Mountain biker Trevor, 12, goes airborne as the trail drops away into a steep ravine. (Photo: News-Journal/Brian Myrick) | CYCLING
Cycling athletes need skill and endurance, but they also rely on the efficiency and durability of their equipment. Competition includes both rules and terrain. Goals and strategies can vary between teams and individual riders. Online Exploration:
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FOOTBALL
Football players need to be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and figure out fractions. Online Exploration:
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Mainland´s No. 4 and No. 68 block a kick from Spruce Creek´s No. 5 during a game at Municipal Stadium. (Photo: News-Journal/Nigel Cook).
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Edward, a member of the Daytona Beach Figure Skating Club, practices his routine. (Photo: News-Journal/Chad Pilster)
| SKATING
The American College of Sports Medicine says that on average, for every hour of skating, a 150-pound person burns about 600 calories. That´s about the same as running five miles in an hour. Online Exploration:
| Newspaper activities: - Find five items in the newspaper that a figure skater could use to help with his/her skating. The items could help with homework, be used as equipment for practicing, or even help design an interesting costume.
- Find articles in the newspaper about figure skating. What changes did the skater have to make in his/her life with regard to (a) school work, (b) time management, and (c) physical health?
- Write an article about your favority local, national or international figure skater. Use these questions to guide your article: What is the person´s name? How old is the skater? When did he/she start skating? How many hours a week does he/she practice? What honors has the skater won? What is the skater´s goal in life?
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SKATEBOARDING
In the early 1970s, skateboarding escalated with the invention of a new type of wheel that allowed for more traction, speed and smoothness.
Online Exploration:
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Michelle, foreground, and Angel cast long shadows as they swing themselves in front of one another over and over in order to propel their longboard skateboards along the pavement. (Photo: News-Journal/Travis Long)
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Competitors in the annual "Insanity Games" at Flagler Palm Coast High School, compete in the ski event where teams must slide across a field on boards. (Photo: News-Journal/Brian Myrick)
| SKIING
Skiing works all the major muscle groups and you can do it continuously and rhythmically for quite a long time. Online Exploration:
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SOCCER
Soccer is a game that focuses on technique, tactics, fitness, athletic ability, and attitude. Soccer demands a crucial set of skills such as passing, dribbling, trapping and heading the ball. This sport uses the science of motion, force and propulsion. Online Exploration:
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Casey, 14, practices her soccer play at Wadsworth Park in Flagler Beach. (Photo: News-Journal/Brian Myrick)
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Stephanie, swim team coach, gives instructions on how many laps to do at the YMCA. (Photo: News-Journal/Roger Simms)
| SWIMMING
Swimming is both a competitive sport and one you can do by yourself. You can swim in a backyard pool, an indoor pool, or the waters of an ocean or lake. Swimming offers one of the best workouts because it uses most of your major muscles.
Online Exploration:
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TENNIS
Tennis is a sport that can help develop life skills, leadership and self-esteem. Playing tennis can improve strength, flexibility, coordination and aerobic fitness! Online Exploration:
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Dave helps Marianne, 12, with her swing. (Photo: News-Journal/Pam Lockeby)
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Especially for Parents and Teachers
Amusement Park Physics
You´ve bought your ticket and boarded the roller coaster. Now you´re barreling down the track at 60 miles per hour, taking hairpin turns and completing death-defying loops. Your heart is in your throat and your stomach is somewhere near your shoes. The only thing separating you from total disaster is a safety harness... but are you really in danger?
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/index.html
Sports Science
A Peer-reviewed site for sport research.
http://www.sportsci.org/index.html
The Olympics!
The Olympics - Swifter, Higher, Stronger
The Olympic Games bring together thousands of the world´s finest athletes to compete against one another. Almost every nation in the world sends teams of selected athletes to take part. No other sports event attracts so much attention--several million people attend the games and more than 2 billion watch them on television.
http://www.umkc.edu/imc/olympics.htm
A Measure of Greatness: Lesson Plan
Students participate in a variety of Olympic-type activities involving measurement.
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2148.shtml
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