Fitness Test Results

3L completed their Stingrays fitness testing and graphed their group's vertical reach. We learned that there are two axes (pronounced "ax-ees") and Cormac pointed out that they are called the x-axis and the y-axis! Some of the columns are almost the same height because we jumped almost the same height.

Why does 3L think we need to use graphs?

 "To show data in a way that is easy to understand and compare."

After learning about different measurements, it is important to label the axes with the correct units so we know what the numbers mean (150 centimetres? 150 litres? 150 kilometres?150 apples?)

Mary's data and her column graph

A graph showing how fast different animal's hearts beat.
This graph was made on a computer. Notice the X-axis and the Y-axis?

BREAKING NEWS: Mr L is actually a stingray!

An observant Lana pointed out to me today that there is a character in Finding Nemo called Mr. Ray, who loves science, is a teacher AND he is a stingray! What a coincidence!

Mr. L teaching 3L. 

Stingray Challenge!

Who will be the first class member to comment with the answer to ONE the following questions??? If you find stingrays interesting, bring me a short information report (include a picture) for a big, fat challenge point!

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/fish/stingray/

1. What did the Ancient Greeks use stingray venom for?
2. Do stingrays have teeth?
3. How do stingrays swim?
4. What is camouflage?
5. What are the two uses of the stingray's tail?

Please just answer one of the questions in the comments (leave some for everyone else!) but tell me the rest of the answers in class! -Mr L

June Training Camp

Last weekend I was in Melbourne for our final training camp on Australian soil. Our next time together as a team will be in Seattle in about a month for our pre-tour. The Stingrays are looking good!

Here is a short video from the camp.

And a video of Junior intercepting the disc at Australian Nationals, stopping the other team from scoring!

Melbourne update

Happy long weekend 3L! I am in Melbourne with the Stingrays for our final training camp. Today was a great day with a lot of running.

As a reward for our hard work we finished it off with ice cream!

From the left: Hallie, Emilya, Bones, Cath, Ali and Jess

3L Fitness Testing

Today 3L completed some of the benchmark fitness tests that the Stingrays do. We put the data into a table and compared our results. We had practice using stopwatches, measuring tapes and learnt how to do calf raises. We also learned which units were best to measure our results with. Brayden was the highest jumper (except for Mr L!) and Aaron was the fastest in the shuttle runs. 

Next time we are going to do the agility test and turn our results into a graph!

May Training Camp

To get ready for the World Championships the Stingray need to practice playing together as much as they can. The girls live all around Australia, so every few weeks we all meet in Melbourne for a training camp. Imagine a weekend where ALL you do is play your favourite sport!

Two weeks ago we had a training camp. The Stingrays did some special tests to measure how much they'd improved since the last camp. Some of what we did included:

• Seeing how fast we can run (shuttle runs)
• Seeing how high we can jump
• Seeing how fast we can run around a set of cones - this is called agility. 

3L is just about ready to do the same tests! We are going to compare our times with the Stingrays!

Kim took some cool photos of what we did. She changed her camera so that the pictures are black and white except for the blue things! Click on them to see a bigger version:

We're about to do the sprints!

Phi can sprint really fast -
 she lifts her knees to get more power when she runs

Emilya is having a great time!