Coach Rod's Class Alta Vista High School

Solve Arizona's Budget Crisis!

2011-03-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

The Arizona Republic Online News site is giving everyone an opportunity to solve the budget deficit that Arizona has been facing ($1.15 billion and counting). Take a few moments to solve the problem by choosing from a variety of budget solutions. The web site will track your progress. When you have solved the problem you may send your name and email to the site to show how you arrived at a balanced budget.
This is a fun activity. Start by clicking the link below. Let me know how you did it!

http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/state-budget/

Fire Up!

Coach Rod/Mr. Rodriguez

Lobos Howl at the Griffins and win 46-15!

2011-01-27T19:03:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista High School basketball team played their final game of the 2o10-2011 season tonight at the Kino Memorial Center. After starting slow, the Lobos picked up the pace and ran to a 46-15 victory over the Griffins of Greenfield Country Day.
We celebrated the seven senior players on the team during our pre-game festivities. The seniors have worked very hard this season to leave a positive legacy for the underclassmen on our team. Jesus Leyva, Angel Martinez, Tre Lewis, Milton Hernandez, Miguel Maldonado, Frankie Romero, and Shaheed Clemens have laid a foundation for the younger players to follow and emulate.

The Lobos were led by Jesus Leyva's career high 23 point performance. Shaheed Clemens added 8 points and many ferocious rebounds. Other scoring contributors were:
Miguel Maldonado 4
Josue Boldin 4
Frank Leon 3
Milton Hernandez 2
Frankie Romero 2

I would like to take a moment to thank many people for many reasons:

Alicia Alvarez and Chris Jackson for allowing me the opportunity to coach our wonderful young men.
Marissa Goode and Valeria Romero for their efforts as team managers which included game day book keeping and filming.
Coach Garrett for setting up the game day hype machine at school and giving us an authentic 'arena' style of vibe at our home court.
The staff and faculty who constantly frequented our games both home and away.
The Lobo students who followed us to every game and cheered us to victory!
Mr. Harris and his mad camera skills. I know you will put the raw footage and weave it into an amazing experience.
The Lobo parents who allowed their sons to play the great game of basketball for Alta Vista High School.
The Kino Center for being great hosts for our season. We are lucky to have such a facility to call home.

I hope everyone enjoyed the season as much as I enjoyed coaching it.
Looking forward to a wonderful spring!

Fire Up!
Coach Rod

Lobos battle Lynx and triumph 54-36!

2011-01-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista Lobos basketball program continues to improve with their convincing 54-36 victory over the Academy of Tucson Lynx at the Kino Memorial Center Gymnasium. In doing so the Lobos even their record to 6-6 on the season. The overall performance was a rebound from the night before. The Lobos led after every quarter and pulled away in the second half with opportunistic fast break points, efficient half court offense execution, and a smothering defense. Angel Martinez led all scorers with 28 points, tying his career high for points scored. Jesus Leyva and Shaheed Clemens added 8 points each and played very good defense. Other Lobos who contributed to this team victory were:
Frank Leon 6 points
Josue Boldin 2 points
Milton Hernandez 2 points

The Lobos return to action next Thursday vs. Greenfields College Prep.
We will be celebrating the careers of our Senior Class this night!

Thanks go out to Marissa Goode and Valeria Romero for their powerful contributions to our team on a daily basis. The filming and score book keeping are many times overlooked vital parts of a program. Marissa and Val do an incredible job for our team.

Thanks again go out to our amazing fans which include parents, administration, faculty, staff, and our student body. THANK YOU for your tremendous support! We are grateful!

Go Lobos!

Coach Rod

Lobos Battle Wolves: Fall 72-50

2011-01-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista Lobos traveled to St. Augustine Catholic Prep and fell 72-50. The Lobos showed great effort in their attempt to hold off the Wolves. Turn-overs and poor shooting at the freethrow line (16 for 30) were to blame for the loss. Alta Vista was paced by Frank Leon with 11 points and a high level of defensive energy. He was also 9 for 14 from the free throw line with his now appreciated "Rick Barry" style of shooting that is affectionately called 'automatic' by his teammates. Josue Boldin continues his tremendous growth with another double double night (10 points 12 rebounds). Other contributors were:
Jesus Leyva 7 points
Frankie Romero 6 points
Shaheed Clemens 5 points
Miguel Maldonado 4 points
Mike Leon 4 points
Milton Hernandez 3 points

The Lobos return to action tomorrow night vs. Academy of Tucson.
Thank you for everyone who continues to support us. We are grateful!

Fire Up!
Coach Rod

Lobos crown the Knights 44-24!

2011-01-07T04:47:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista High School Lobos basketball team evened their record to 5-5 with a victory over the Immaculate Heart Knights 44-24. The Lobos played excellent team defense but was slow to find the hoop in the first half. The Lobos held a 20-13 lead at half time and emerged from the locker room with the needed adjustments. The seven point lead then ballooned to a 14 point lead with a 7 point outburst by Miguel Maldonado who hit back to back lay ups and a game changing 3 point dagger. Josue Boldin had a career high scoring night to lead all scorers with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The sophomore is realizing his potential for the future. Frank Leon, with his throw-back, Rick Barry style of shooting, continues to lead the Lobos in free-throw percentage and overall team hustle. Jesus Leyva was the Iron Man for the Lobos by playing the entire game and playing multiple positions on defense. He showed true senior leadership last night.
Overall it was a great team effort by young men who are learning how to trust one another on and off the basketball court.
The Lobos return to action on the road at St Augustine Catholic High School next Wednesday.
We will celebrate our annual Senior Night next Thursday vs. Academy of Tucson.

We give a huge THANK YOU to the parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and students who continue to support us. We are grateful!!!!!

Fire up and GO LOBOS!

Coach Rod

Welcome to 2011!

2011-01-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the year 2011! The new year always is looked at with the possibility of great opportunities. As we approach the new block I look forward to the prospect of teaching my United States Government classes with a renewed energy and focus. I also look forward to igniting a fire inside of students who took my American History classes last year.
I look forward to helping my students explore the complexities of government and the inter-connections that make up our great nation.
See you on Tuesday!

Fire Up!

Coach Rod

Final Exams and the End of Block 2!

2010-12-13T18:44:00.000-08:00

A huge Thank You goes out to my students for a fantastic block 2 of the school year. Time has flown by the past 10 weeks as we make our way to the end of the year.
We take our Final Exams this week in our classes.
Please make sure you look over your study guide and take time to understand what is being asked of you.
Thank you again and let's finish strong!

Fire Up!
Mr. Rodriguez

Lobos battle Vipers but fall 65-54

2010-12-09T20:51:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista High School Lobos basketball team traveled to San Miguel High School and played a hard fought game vs. the Vipers. The tightly contested game was neck and neck the entire way as the Lobos won the first quarter 16-14. The Vipers went into the intermission winning 31-30. The Lobos then cut the lead to 44-42 after three quarters while winning the quarter by a 14-13 margin. The Vipers would pull away in the 4th quarter by outscoring the Lobos 21-10.
The Vipers were given a 36-24 advantage at the free throw line as the Lobos were whistled for 25 total fouls to the Vipers 17. The Vipers made 18 of those attempts while the Lobos cashed in on only 7 of those opportunities.
The atmosphere was fantastic with a full gym filled with Alta Vista fans. Both sides cheered their teams on and it gave our players an amazing opportunity to shine.
The Lobos were paced by Jesus Leyva's 18 points. Angel Martinez checked in with 17 before fouling out of the game with 3 minutes to go.
Shaheed Clemens added 8 points and multiple rebounds before fouling out with 4 minutes to go in the game.
Milton Hernandez scored 4, Josue Boldin scored 4, and Frank Leon scored three out of 4 free throws with his Rick Barry throwback technique.
Coach Rod is very proud of the effort and heart displayed in the face of adversity.
We have improvements to make, but we have also come a long way.
The loss drops the Lobos to 4-5 on the season with 5 contests to go.
We are grateful for the support and thank everyone who traveled to cheer at our game.
Fire Up and Go Lobos!

Coach Rod

Lobos Howl To Victory over Knights 51-20!

2010-12-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista Lobos traveled to Immaculate High School last night and played a complete game winning 51-21 over the Knights.
The Lobos were paced early by Jesus Leyva's three 3 pointers in the first quarter. Angel Martinez then caught fire in the 3rd quarter with 10 points including a pair of 3 pointers and a set of spectacular drives to the hoop. He finished with 20 points on the evening.
Nine different Lobos scored points in the collective effort toward victory. They are:
Angel Martinez 2o
Jesus Leyva 11
Josue Boldin 6
Shaheed Clemens 4
Frank Leon 3
Milton Hernandez 2
Tre Lewis 2
Martin Simpson 2
Miguel Maldonado 1

The Lobos return to competition next Tuesday vs. Lourdes Academy.
We will be honoring our Pearl Harbor Veterans as the game lands on December 7th.
We thank everyone who comes to our game. It is great having our fans travel and cheer on the Lobos!

Fire Up!
Coach Rod

Lobos Growl to Victory over Griffins: 42-11

2010-12-01T19:38:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista Lobos Basketball team emerged with their first victory of the season last night over the Griffins of Greenfields Country Day School 42-11. After a tough start in the Boyd Baker Tournament, the Lobos rebounded with a quality win over an opponent who showed great effort and class.
The Lobos were paced by Angel Martinez's 19 points and 6 assists. Defensively Shaheed Clemens dominated on both sides of the glass with 13 rebounds.
Ten Alta Vista players scored and all Lobos contributed to the first victory of the season.
The were:
Jesus Leyva 3
Fausto Fimbres 2
Shaheed Clemens 2
Milton Hernandez 4
Frank Leon 2
Mike Leon 2
Josue Boldin 4
Frankie Romero 4
We return to competition tonight vs. Immaculate Heart High School.
We thank the students and faculty who continue to travel and support our program.
We are grateful for your presence at our games!
Fire Up!
Coach Rod

Lobos fall to Miners 51-21

2010-11-22T22:30:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista High School Lobo basketball team opened the 2010-2011 season in the Boyd Baker tournament held at St. Gregory's College Prep gymnasium.
San Manuel High School turned the Lobos away 51-21. The combination of missed shots and turnovers lead to an unbalanced effort.
Overall Coach Rod was pleased that the boys did not give up throughout the game but recognizes that we have much to do in order to have success.
Angel Martinez led the scoring effort with 10 points.
Milton Hernandez, Martin Simpson, and Shaheed Clemens led the charge under the boards.
I wish to thank all of the Lobo faculty who made the trip to the game:
Mr. Harris
Mr. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Garcia
Mr. Martinez
I also wish to thank the students who made the time and effort to come support us.
We are grateful for your support and promise to give better effort next time!
Fire Up!
Coach Rod

Thankful Hands for Thanksgiving

2010-11-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

My wonderful daughter Ani (10) taught her dad a valuable lesson on the impact of simplicity. She and her sister Maile (7) created a cut out turkey out of construction paper and proceeded to create the feather's of the turkey with cut out hands. Within the hands was written what they were thankful for. My daughters' turkey is proudly displayed in my home.
I decided to take this very simple approach and apply it to my students.
I asked my daughter to re-create the turkey and then have my students trace their hands so as to make the feathers. The students then were asked to write in their hand what they were thankful for. The following are pictures of our version of the Thanksgiving turkey.

I believe it is important to take a moment, daily, to thank my students for everything they do for me in our classes. They are the reason I am a teacher. I find equally important to let the staff, support personnel, and faculty know how grateful I am for what they do for our students on a daily basis. After reading each hand I feel a tremendous sense of community with the campus.
Thank You Lobos for everything you do.
Have a great Thanksgiving!

Mr. Rodriguez

2010-2011 Lobo Basketball Team

2010-11-21T19:28:00.000-08:00

It is with great pleasure to present the 2010-2011 edition of the Alta Vista Lobo Basketball team. We begin our quest for excellence at the 2010 Boyd Baker tournament held at St. Gregory's Prep.
The Lobos are:
#3 Angel Martinez
#5 Miguel Maldonado
#10 Tre Lewis
#11 Fausto Fimbres
#12 Martin Simpson
#13 Francisco Romero
#15 Jesus Leyva
#20 Miguel Leon
#21 Frank Leon
#22 Alvaro Contreras
#25 Josue Boldin
#32 Milton Hernandez
#33 Shaheed Clemens
#34 Cesar Fuentes
#44 Levi Marcus

Team Managers
Valeria Romero
Marissa Goode

Game results will be posted after every game.
Our home opening game will be held at the Kino Memorial Center gymnasium December 7th vs. Lourdes Catholic.
Come out, stand up, and cheer the Lobos to Victory!

Fire Up!
Coach Rod

AIMS test October 26,27,28 2010

2010-10-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Greetings Lobos!

The annual AIMS (Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards) test will be administered Tuesday October 26, Wednesday October 27, and Thursday October 28. The subjects tested are Writing, Reading and Mathematics.

Here are some tips to prepare for the testing week:

Get a good night's rest before the test.

Eat breakfast before the test.

Use deep breaths to curb any test anxiety

Plan an alternate route to school in the event of traffic problems

Plan an alternate ride in the event of transportation problems

Here are some test taking tips for the day of the test:

Take as much time as you need. It is not a race.

Scan the test before attempting to answer any questions. Answer the questions you are confident you know. Come back to the more difficult questions later in the test.

If it is a writing prompt, use a graphic organizer to gather and organize your thoughts. After you have written your rough draft, re-read your response and edit any needed areas.

DO NOT use text language (4=for, u= you, k= okay) while writing your response. Use proper grammar and spelling.

Stay focused throughout the testing session.

Have confidence in your abilities and do your best!

Fire up!

Coach Rod

KVOA's Kristi Tedesco visits AVHS

2010-09-17T14:28:00.001-07:00

Greetings Lobos,

Today we hosted our annual Career College Fair. My classroom was fortunate to have KVOA's anchor Kristi Tedesco visit.

The students had many relevant questions are were engage at the comments and advice that Kristi gave.

Thanks to Ed Wagner for setting this up.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have a local television news personality come to our class to inspire us to seek success in our lives!

www.kvoa.com/news/kristi-tedesco

Mr. Rodriguez

Lobo Students Pay Tribute to First Responders

2010-09-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings Lobos,

Saturday marks the 9th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

Our class studied the events and we decided that we would pay tribute to our local Police and Firefighters by writing letters of thanks.

My letter reads:

Dear Officer/Firefighter,

My name is David Rodriguez and I am a teacher at Alta Vista High School in Tucson, Arizona.
We studied the events of September 11th in our American History classes. I wish to take this moment to thank you for your service to our community. I have known of the courage and sacrifice shown by the police and fire departments of New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville that fateful day. I also realize that you show that same courage and sacrifice on a daily basis in order to keep me safe.
On behalf of my community, my school, my peers, and my family: THANK YOU!

Respectfully,

David Rodriguez
Teacher

Alta Vista High School

Tucson, Arizona

This weekend, please take a few moments to remember.

Thank you.

Mr. Rodriguez

Lobos are NEVER gymless!

2010-09-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

Greetings Lobos!

Thanks to the philosophy I learned at http://www.rosstraining.com/ of 'Never Being Gymless' we are better people.

Here are some photos of our class using a community park's soccer goal as the anchor for our suspension strap workout. AnJeanine, a member of our Volleyball squad is demonstrating a bench press and curl combination along with what is known as an 'Atomic Crunch' which is a push up followed by a crunch while your feet are suspended. A 'killer' excercise!!

Miguel is demonstrating a suspended pull up and a successful dismount!

Isabel is demonstrating an alternating deltoid raise.

There are too many reasons not to be active. We work very hard to find reasons to work out. There is no excuse in our class. We workout everyday and we are better people because of our collective attitudes.

Thanks again to Alta Vista for allowing me to teach this fantastic course. Thank you also to my students for working hard!

Fire up and Go Lobos!

Coach Rod

Stadium Running Lobo Style!

2010-09-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Alta Vista High School is very fortunate to have the use of the Kino Memorial Center and Tucson Electric Park for our Fitness Strategies class. Every 5 weeks we challenge ourselves with running the stadium steps at TEP. Today we ran 22 rows of steps with an average of 20 steps per row for a total of 440 steps.

We accomplished this twice in 20 minutes for a grand total of 880 steps!

Here are a few post-run photos of the 2010 Block One Fitness Strategists!

I want to thank my students for working hard the past 5.5 weeks. Their bodies are changing because they are choosing to work beyond their comfort zone. I am proud of them and look forward to a great second half of the block!

Enjoy and have a great Labor Day weekend!!

Prom and Tuxedo Sale at Alta Vista High School

2010-08-16T15:05:00.001-07:00

What: One Day Liquidation Sale on prom dresses. All Dresses $55!!

When: Saturday August 21, 2010

10 AM to 2 PM

Where: Alta Vista High School

5040 S. Campbell Ave (Just south of Irvington)

How: Cash Only Sales! (No Checks, Credit, or Debit Cards)

Who: Both guys and gals (Tuxedo Coats, Pants, Shoes, and more for the guys, and Evening, Prom, and Party Dresses for the Girls).

See more samples at

http://www.azformalstore.com/

Mr. Rodriguez

Alta Vista High School and Great Schools

2010-08-13T14:52:00.001-07:00

Greetings Lobos!

It is no secret that I love teaching and coaching at Alta Vista High School. I believe we offer a great education for any student who wishes to dedicate themselves to having a top notch education.

There is a website called Great Schools. This site is a great way to rate our school and get the word out on how good you think our school is.

We encourage all who follow this blog and those who attend Alta Vista High School to take a few moments to write a review of Alta Vista.

Click on the link, scroll down, and give your opinion.

http://www.greatschools.org/arizona/tucson/3072-Alta-Vista-High-School/

Thanks and Go Lobos!

Mr. Rodriguez

Suspension Strap Training Lobo Style

2010-08-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

When I ruptured my patellar tendon last December (read previous post) I had ample time to read and research different topics. One of the topics was a suspension trainer. I was completely clueless to this new tool being used in fitness clubs, professional training complexes, and fight gyms. As I researched them I was hooked until I saw the price tag.

I then went to my favorite site for being gymless http://www.rosstraining.com/

As I was looking through Ross' blog posts I found a video for making my own trainer at a fraction of the price. As I regained my mobility I built a trainer and was instantly hooked. It was an easy, inexpensive, and intense addition to my workout regimen.

With the okay from my school administration I purchased the items needed and built a class set of suspension trainers that we started using today. My students were immediately introduced to the beautiful burn you get with your own body weight.

We started small with 5 repetitions in 4 different body movements (bench press, tricept extention, row, and bicep curl. These movements were to be done in succession and then repeated for 3 rounds.

Some of our students decided to increase their reps to 10. It was great to see them buy into the program.

Thanks go out to my administration and office staff (thanks Svetlana!) for giving me the opportunity to try something new. A big thanks to the Lobos for signing up for the class!

Fire Up!

Coach Rod

Welcome Back Lobos! 2010-2011 is going to be great!

2010-07-30T06:39:00.001-07:00

Hello Lobos!
Coach Rod here. Hope you had a fantastic summer. It has been a fantastic summer for Coach Rod.

I taught summer school (American History B)
I coached our basktetball team at the University of Arizona' Sean Miller basketball camp
I traveled to El Paso where I coached my football team at the UTEP 7 on 7 tournament
I celebrated 15 years of marriage
I celebrated the 10th and 7th birthdays of my daughters Ani and Maile at Disneyland!
I surfed in the pacific ocean :)
I traveled with my colleagues to Las Vegas for the National Differentiated Instruction Convention.
I caught up with great friends in Oceanside, California
I coached my football team at Cochise College for our annual 'Camp Cochise' football camp
I exercised as often as I could and am in better shape than when I left :)
I was informed that I will be inducted into the Nogales High School Hall of Fame.

Overall a busy, but productive summer!
I look forward to seeing you all August 4th and an exciting year at Alta Vista High School!

Fire Up!

Coach Rod/Mr. Rodriguez

Lobos At McKale Center and UA Mall

2010-06-26T17:58:00.001-07:00

Lobos at McKale Center

2010-06-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

Lobos at U Of A Sean Miller Camp photos

2010-06-26T17:52:00.001-07:00

Basketball Lobos Attend UA Sean Miller Camp

2010-06-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back Lobos!

The 2010 summer has been a productive one. Seven members of the Lobo Basketball Program attended the Sean Miller Basketball Camp on the campus of the University of Arizona. 36 teams were in attendance and competed in a tournament setting Thursday through Saturday. The Lobos had the opportunity to play 3 times in McKale Center. We played against some of the best programs in Tucson (Catalina Foothills, Mountain View, Amphi, and Salpointe Catholic).
McKale Center is one of the greatest venues for college basketball in the United States. It was the host of a 72 game home winning streak, 4 Final Four teams, and 1 national championship. It has also hosted many NCAA tournament games in its history. It is one of the hardest tickets to come by as every home game is a sellout in excess of 14,500 seats!

I am proud of the young men for staying committed to improving their overall basketball skills along with learning what it takes to become an even better person in their lives. I thank my administration of Chris Jackson and Alicia Alvarez for allowing us to attend this event.

More photos will be posted!

Go Lobos!

Coach Rod

Congratulations Class of 2010!

2010-05-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

On behalf of Alta Vista High School I would like to congratulate the senior class of 2010! You are about to embark on an incredible journey. As one chapter of your life ends, the next chapter of your life is waiting to begin.
It is our mission to prepare you for the next phase of your life, be that college, the workforce, the military, and all stops in between.
We thank you for making Alta Vista High School your choice for your education.
Never forget the lessons your learned and remember that your are now a Lobo for life (hello Alumni!)
Don't forget to stay in touch with us and fill us in on your adventures!
Enjoy the moment and GO LOBOS!

Knott's Berry Farm Trip 2010!

2010-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Alta Vista High School is a special place for many reasons.
One of those reasons is the opportunity to have a trip to Knott's Berry Farm if you have perfect attendance throughout the school year. Over 90 students accomplished this goal this year. Here are some photos of this exciting annual trip. Thanks to AnJeanine Lopez for the photos! Nice job!

2 Weeks Left! Stay Focused!

2010-05-10T05:52:00.001-07:00

With the school year coming to a fast close, here are some things to consider:
1. Stay Focused! The end of the year celebration known as graduation is fast approaching. However, we still have two weeks left. Don't take an early vacation on me.

2. Do what is asked of you at all times! Don't jeopardize your chance to graduate because of a lapse in judgment (I.D., dress code, behavior, etc).

3. Make sure you are at zero balance in the business office! Make sure all bills or outstanding debts (uniforms, books, etc) are taken care of.

4. Make up any seat time you may need! If you are at the maximum of absences or tardies so far, see Mrs. Garcia immediately for a seat time log. This is the final week to make up that time!

5. Study for Final Exams! Hopefully all of the seniors will not be affected by a final exam grade. However, if you are barely getting by with the minimum, then study for your final exams. Don't leave anything to chance!

Go Lobos!

Coach Rod

Alta Vista's Angel Martinez Earns Basketball Honor

2010-03-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Alta Vista High School point guard Angel Martinez was honored by the Arizona Daily Star's annual Winter Basketball All Star list.
The list is a compilation of the best athletes in boys basketall. Selections were based on staff observations and collected statistics, in consultation with area coaches.
Angel was listed as an Honorable Mention player.
Angel averaged 18 points a game and was a team captain for our basketball team this year.
This is a tremendous honor for our school, basketball program, and for Angel.
Being recognized as one of the best in the city is the result of hard work, dedication, and talent. He is very deserving of this honor.
Alta Vista is very proud of this recognition.
GO LOBOS!

Coach Rod

Alta Vista Wins Award at Tucson Rodeo Parade!

2010-03-08T15:24:00.001-08:00

Alta Vista High School's entry into the 2010 Tucson Rodeo parade was an award winner!
We were the only high school to win an award at the biggest non-mechanized parade in North America. Our participants were members of our extra-curricular activities on campus (Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Cheerleading). However, those students who were chosen are also members of our National Honor Society Chapter, Student Government, Prom Committee, Yearbook Committee, and Honor Roll. They represented Alta Vista High School with grace, pride, and a ton of Lobo Spirit!
A big "Lobo" thank you goes out to Maribel Hernandez for organizing this event! Great Job and Go Lobos!!

Declaration of Independence 'broadside' arrives in Tucson

2010-02-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress made official the Declaration of Independence. The manuscript was taken to a printer, who made 200 copies. These are called “broadsides.” Some of the 200 broadsides were delivered to the nation’s founders next day. Other copies were sent by horseback throughout the colonies so that everyone could learn what had been done. Only 25 of these broadsides are still in existence today, and one will be in Tucson at the Arizona History Museum Sunday and Monday. (A broadside is about the size of a full newspaper sheet, printed on one or both sides, and it has been folded.)
This broadside was found inside of a painting that was sold at a flea-market for $4. Hollywood icon Norman Lear purchased this copy for over $8 million and is now on tour for all to witness.
The Declaration was closely guarded by the Arizona Rangers (a volunteer group who work in conjunction with law enforcement and are appointed by the Governor). Also in attendance were members of the Sons of the American Revolution who dress in period outfits complete with muskets.
A real treat all around! Today brings into great focus why we are free and why it is important to remember. It is vital to teach those who take their freedoms for granted that a heavy price has been, and continues to be, paid for the collective citizenry.

Finish How You Start! Lobos Win 53-46!

2010-02-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Alta Vista High School Lobo Basketball team on their undefeated maiden voyage in the Arizona Interscholastic Association. The Lobos defeated Bella Vista High School 53-46 last night at their Kino Center home finale.
Seniors Juan Pablo De La Rosa, Carlos Carreon, and Glenn Brockman were recognized for their contributions to the Lobo Baskeball program.
Angel Martinez continued his torrid scoring pace with 28 points. Juan Pablo De La Rosa added 11 and Miguel Maldonado hit from outside to add 7 to the Lobo's cause. Shaheed Clemens, Carlos Carreon, Milton Hernandez and Frank Leon also contributed with a bucket each.

The Lobos would like to say thank you to everyone who attended their games and showed their Lobo Pride at every turn.
We would also like to thank our "Home Court" Kino Center and the entire crew who give a great place to practice and play our home games!
Coach Rod would like to thank the entire team and support staff of Valeria Romero, Coach Ed Garrett, Coach Jackson, and the entire Alta Vista administration and community for giving him the opportunity to do what he loves best: teaching and coaching young people in the game of life.

It is a great day to be a Lobo!

Thank you and here's to next season!!!!
Coach Rod

Lobos Push Record to 5-0 With 44-38 Victory!

2010-02-04T21:39:00.000-08:00

Alta Vista High School's basketball Lobos traveled to Immaculate Heart High School and came home with a 44-38 victory over the Knights. The Lobos held the lead the entire game with a 15-0 1st quarter and led 25-7 at the half. The Knights mounted a furious comeback to cut the lead to 1 but Angel Martinez struck from beyond the arc and pushed the lead to 4 points. The Knights were forced to foul the rest of the way and the Lobos responded by making 2 of 4 free throws down the stretch to win the game.
Angel Martinez paced the Lobos with 23 points. Frank Leon continues to make tremendous strides with a 10 point effort and hard-nosed defensive effort.
The Lobo's Carlos Carreon added 5 points and a vital rebound at the end of the game to help seal the deal. Juan De La Rosa, Milton Hernandez and Fausto Fimbres each added a bucket each to the cause.

The Lobos improve to 5-0 and close out their successful 1st season in AIA with Bella Vista High School. Come out and pack the Kino Center for Senior Night!

Go Lobos!

LOBOS WIN A NAILBITER 31-30!

2010-02-03T16:48:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista High School Lobo Basketball program won a hard fought game vs. the Greenfields Country Day Griffins 31-30. There is a maxim in sport that says 'it is never easy to beat a team twice in a season. This maxim proved true again tonight. The Lobos came out and led 14-4 after the first quarter and 20-9 at halftime. However, the Griffins put together a different game plan to take away the dribble drive capabilities of Angel Martinez with effectiveness. The second half proved to be a very competitive game with the Griffins cutting the lead to 27-29 with 1:30 to go in the game. The Lobos kept their composure and took the air out of the ball forcing Greenfields to foul the rest of the way. The Lobos were 100% from the free-throw line until the end of the game where they proceeded to to 1 for 6. Angel Martinez was fouled with 4.6 seconds to go in the game with Alta Vista leading 31-30. His shot was off but Glenn Brokman and Shaheed Clemens skied for the rebound ending a very physical game.
The Lobos were led by Shaheed Clemens 8 points and 14 rebounds.
Frank Leon added 7 points to the cause while playing with great intensity and passion.
The Lobos improve to 4-0 on the season and travel to Immaculate Heart Catholic tomorrow.
Coach Rod is very proud of the effort, class, and composure that was shown by the Lobo players. They played hard for their school, their community, and their teammates. Great Job by the entire team!
A special shout out to Coach Garrett for accompanying the team to Greenfields. You really hooked us up!
GO LOBOS!

Le Cordon Bleu Visits Alta Vista

2010-01-29T15:02:00.000-08:00

The world famous Le Cordon Bleu College Of Culinary Arts visited Alta Vista High School today.
Chef D.A. Reid provided a wealth of information on the different programs available and the possibilities that come with this industry.
Our students were great hosts, asked great questions and sampled couscous for the first time.
We appreciate institutions such as Le Cordon Bleu coming to Alta Vista High School and exposing the possibilities that are availible to those who wish to pursue their passion.
For those who wish to make the Couscous here is the recipe courtesy of Chef D.A. Reid
COUSCOUS WITH LEMON AND PINE NUTS
Yield: 4 -6 servings

QTY UNIT INGREDIENTS
1 ½ cups Couscous
2 cups Chicken stock, hot
2 each Scallions, sliced thin, greens only
1 each Lemon, zested
2 tbsp Olive oil
½ each Red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup Toasted pine nuts

1. Put couscous in medium bowl. Pour hot stock over it and stir to combine. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes
2. Place pine nuts in pan over low heat to toast
3. Zest lemon into small bowl, set to side
4. Dice ½ bell pepper add to bowl
5. Slice the green halves of the scallions and add to bowl
6. Cut lemon in half and squeeze the juice of one half to mixture in bowl. Be sure no seeds are included with the juice
7. Uncover couscous and fluff with a fork
8. Add couscous to mixture in bowl and toss gently
9. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper

Zing Go The Strings! Lobos Win 55-23!!!

2010-01-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Alta Vista High School Lobo Basketball program for their 55-23 victory over Greenfields Country Day High School. The long layoff between games did not affect the performance of the Lobo squad.
Alta Vista was paced by Angel Martinez's 21 point effort. Juan Pablo De La Rosa contributed 11 points. Tre Lewis added 6 points along with Carlos Carreon's 5.
Every Lobo contributed to the victory with tenacious defense and playing together on offense.
Other scorers were:
Shaheed Clemens 4 points
Miguel Maldonado 2 points
Glenn Brockman 2 points
Frank Leon 2 points
Fausto Fimbres 2 points

A loud shout out to Coach Garrett for taking care of the finer details as Athletic Director. Valeria Romero ran the score-board flawlessly and Frankie Romero took care of the game book.
Another loud shout out to Mr. Harris for filming the game and all of the Lobo fans who attended the game and cheered us on to victory!
We appreciate all of the support!

The Lobos return to action next week at Greenfields High School on Wednesday and then travel to Immaculate Heart High School on Thursday.

Go Lobos!
Coach Rod

DeVry University Visit to Alta Vista High School

2010-01-12T07:58:00.000-08:00

Valerie Power came to our class to present the opportunities at DeVry University. Here are some photos of our students making 'avatars' of themselves on a PDA provided by the presentation. The students were fantastic. They asked great questions, were good participants, and gained valuable information. Here are some photos of the Lobos making their avatars.

Block 3 Government/History Class Project: America and Americans

2010-01-12T07:51:00.001-08:00

My Block 3 students were presented with the task of describing what America is along with describing what an American is. Their answers were diverse and interesting. This task was asking for honest answers to real questions. Here are some photos of my students working and presenting on their subject matter.

Block 3 2010!

2010-01-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

Good Morning classes. I can't tell you how excited I am to be your teacher at Alta Vista High School. I have many great lessons planned for the next 10 weeks. There are a few things that we must cover first before we begin this fantastic journey.

1. We will get to know one another both individually and collectively. I need to know what your limits are so that I can push you beyond what you think you are capable of.

2. My expectations of you are what are know as the 'Big 5'.
1. Be Here Every Day.
2. Be Here On Time.
3. Come Prepared.
4. Be Ready To Learn.
5. Have A Great Attitude.
If you can do the following 5 things on a daily basis, I guarantee you you will have success in everything you choose to do.

3. We work daily. There are no days off in our class. You will have assignments to do on a daily basis. Some are worth more than others, but they all count. Choose to do your work daily.

4. I will teach you the root of the problem in every aspect. Many of the ills that fall on us as a society have ancient roots. In order to solve a problem, you must seek out the root or you will exacerbate (make worse) the problem.

5. We have 4 themes that will run throughout the course. These themes are present in everything we learn about in history:

- Control: Systems of control have changed throughout time. However, controlling one another has been an aim of every government since the dawn of man. How we go about controlling sets up the other themes.

- Conflict: When one side cannot agree with the other side, we have tension which eventually leads to conflict. Since 2001 the United States has been engaged in a conflict in Afghanistan and since 2003 in Iraq. Conflict is a lucrative business today.

- Religion: Some of the greatest conflicts in human history have been caused by those beloning to organized Religion. The big 5 (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism) have been in perpetual conflict between themselves and others since the dawn of man.

- Spread of Culture: When one culture becomes popular and spreads to another culture, there is a level of assimilation that takes place. There is also a seed of domination that gets planted at the same time. Language, Sport, Food, Music, technology, etc. are all ways that a culture spreads from one to the other. We truly live in the fastest spread of information and culture today with our ever shrinking yet ever powerful hand held devices. We will touch on an idea called 'The Singularity' that will dominate the landscape of ideology and sociology in the very near futre.

2010!!!! Believe it!

2010-01-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

Good Morning and welcome to the year 2010. I hope your winter break was one of relaxation and rejuvenation. Mine was spent healing from an injury (more on that later).
As we begin a new block, a few things are needed to successfully navigate our new waters. My schedule will be the following:
1st United States Government
2nd American History
3rd United States Government
4th American History

I will not be teaching the fitness strategies class this block. I had a fantastic time daily with the students and was able to get myself into basic shape. However, over the break, I injured my left knee in a freak accident on my new 'land paddle'. Just like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, I was so excited for my land paddle gear to arrive. I was giddy like a little kid the entire day it was supposed to arrive. When it did, I tore the box open and went into my neighborhood. I was having an epic time. I was land surfing just like the guys on YouTube were. I came inside, took a short break and then went back outside for another session. As I came to the cul-de-sac of my neighborhood, I began a simple left turn to head back home. As I leaned back, I felt the board take off from under my feet. I used the big stick (the paddle) to turn and balance and then used my left leg to brace. At this instant I felt a 'pop' and an instant rush of pain to my left knee.
I hadn't had the new get up for more than an hour and I was already hurt. I had 'shot my eye out'! I was so angry at myself as I lay in the street like a sack of potatoes writhing in pain. I happened to make it to a neighbor's house and called my wife to come get me. Not only had I hurt myself, but I also put an end to our Christmas vacation plans as we knew it. I've been bed ridden ever since.
Had an MRI done and it confirmed that I had ruptured the patellar tendon in my left knee. The tendon was ripped from the bottom of my knee cap but was still attached to my shin. Dr. Ty Endean (the man!) was able to get me into surgery a week later and according to him, it was a routine operation.
I will have a scar to remind me that I'm no longer 18 (I turn 40 at the end of the month). I will also have a long rehabilitation ahead of me. There is no getting around it. It also differs for everyone who has this type of surgery. Some have long drawn out rehabs, where others are back at mostly full range of motion after 2-3 weeks. I believe mine will be a good one but it will not be as swift as others. However, I still think 18 and have the energy of someone younger than I. I just have to be patient and let my rehab routine take its course and pray for a healed body. Guess I have to start wearing shirts that say 'Old Guys Rule'.

Boxing Lobo Style! Fitness Strategies

2009-12-16T20:54:00.001-08:00

More Pictures of our Boxing unit. A great time!

Fitness Lobos learn the 'Sweet Science' of Boxing

2009-12-16T20:22:00.000-08:00

Taken From Wikipedia.

Boxing is a combat sport in which two participants, generally of similar weight, fight each other with their fists. Although fighting with fists comes naturally to people, evidence of fist-fighting contests first appear on ancient Sumerian, Egyptian and Minoan reliefs. The ancient Greeks provide us our first historical records of boxing as a formal sport; they codified a set of rules and staged tournaments with professionals. The birth hour of boxing as a sport may be its acceptance as an Olympic game as early as 688 BC. Modern boxing evolved in Europe.

Boxing is also a tremendous source of physical fitness. The discipline involves 'road work' (running), 'ring work' (footwork/sparring), and 'bag work' (both stationary and focus mitt training), to name a few. Keeping your arms up, while moving and attempting to strike a target with both speed and power takes a high sense of purpose and focus.

For two weeks our fitness strategy class took part in learning the basics of boxing. They include:

1. Stance

2. Movement (attack/retreat)

3. Striking (jab, cross, hook, uppercut)

4. Evasion (slipping, bobbing, blocking)

5. Defense (protecting, clinching)

I have to say that I had a blast with this unit, but my hands were sore at the end of each day. However, it was great to teach the students that learning a combat sport is really a deterrent to fighting. It teaches respect for self and opponent. I look forward to another opportunity with a new set of students.

Fire Up!

Coach Rod

SoCal In-N-Out Burger comes to So Tucson!

2009-12-16T20:03:00.000-08:00

In-N-Out Burger is a Southern California company that prides itself on outstanding customer service, quality food, and a faithful following of consumers. Their burgers are routinely judged to be the best in a highly competitive environment.

The latest store to open is at the corner of Ajo and I-10. This also happens to be right down the street from our campus and training facility. My student Eleazar earned employment with the company. We are proud to say a Lobo will be providing 'Animal Style' burgers and fries to our community. A fitting combo!

Parkour/Freerunning Lobo Style part III

2009-12-16T09:22:00.001-08:00

Here are a few more cool shots of my students flying through the air!

More Parkour/Freerunning Block 2

2009-12-16T09:14:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of our 'wall climbers'. Cool pictures!

Parkour/Freerunning Lobo Style Block 2

2009-12-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

Greetings Lobos!

In block 1 we introduced the physical activity known as Parkour/Freerunning. It is a fantastic way to express the physical motions of the human body. My Fitness Strategies, Block 2 class has some very talented people.

Here is a sampling of their abilitiy to climb walls!

Fire Up!

Coach Rod

SWISH AGAIN!!!! LOBOS DEFEAT SAN MIGUEL 37-35

2009-12-10T20:12:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to the Alta Vista Varsity Lobos Basketball team for their hard fought victory over San Miguel High School 37-35. The game was back and forth the entire game. The standing room only crowd at the Kino Center was treated to an exciting back and forth game. Thank you for all who came to support the Lobos! We are truly grateful.
The Lobos are currently 2-0 on the varsity season.
The team is:
Angel Martinez
Frankie Romero
Juan Pablo De La Rosa
Shaheed Clemens
Frank Leon
George D. Martinez
Tre Lewis
Fausto Fimbres
Miguel Maldonado
Milton Hernandez
Glenn Barkman
Team Manager Valeria Romero

GO LOBOS!!!!!

SWISH!!! LOBOS WIN SEASON OPENER!

2009-11-24T19:29:00.000-08:00

The Alta Vista Boys Basketball team opened up their season tonight by defeating Bella Vista High School 67-54. The victory is the program's first ever in AIA competition.
The Lobos played together and played with heart.
We got great offensive play by Angel and Juan Pablo with 22 points each. Shaheed emerged as a force around the boards. Everyone contributed to the victory and we thank the capacity crowd for their support!
The Lobos return to the Kino Center December 7th against Potston Bute High School.
Congratulations and GO LOBOS!!!!

ESPN Game Day Experience at U of A

2009-11-22T07:28:00.001-08:00

ESPN and the College Game Day experience traveled from their headquarters in Connecticut to Tucson, AZ. The program is broadcast nationally and is followed by millions of college football fans. My nephew, Alex, is a huge UA fan. He should be since his mom and dad, uncles and aunts are all proud graduates of the University. It was really fun to see Tucson on television along with people we only see on TV who were up close and personal. Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, and Heisman trophy winner Desmond Howard are media personalities who give commentary on the day's events and are seen as experts in their field.
Unfortunately, the end result we were cheering for did not come to light. Oregon prevailed in double overtime to win 44-41. Tucson, however, was a big winner because the weather was great, the fans were pumped, and the University looked beautiful.
College football lives here.
Bear Down!

Alta Vista Students Thank Our Military Veterans

2009-11-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

Many times, in our hyper-busy lives, we tend to take many things for granted. We forget to stop, if even for a moment, and give thanks and tribute to all of the things we have. As members of a free society we tend to take our freedoms for granted. As an American History and U.S. Governemnt teacher it is my duty to make sure that my students understand, on a daily basis, that they are a vital part of this grand experiment we call Democracy. It is crucial that the students are taught to be active in their community and society. They must be the change they want to see in the world. It is also important that they be reminded occasionally that they must give thanks to those who paid a price for their freedoms.

On this Veteran's Day, we wrote thank you letters to veterans of our military. It is important that we take a moment to thank those who entered the military in service to our country.

87 letters were written and delivered via my sister, Christine Wilson, who is a registered dietician at the VA in Tucson.

As free Lobos, we say thank you to every member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard yesterday, today, and into the future.

The Rattler High Speed Rail Conept

2009-11-20T12:58:00.000-08:00

This is Second Period's contribution to our transportation plan.

Alta Vista Students Tackle the Tucson Traffic Grid

2009-11-20T05:07:00.000-08:00

Planning for a city's basic needs is much harder than people imagine. A city's roads and traffic flow are usually two items that are complained about by citizens (including yours truly).
Our American History students have been learning about the westward expansion of the country circa the late 1800's and began understanding the intricate plans that go into building and planning cities such as New York and Chicago. They were presented with the opportunity to redesign Tucson's own traffic and road woes and come up with some incredible ideas.
The students were presented with options and ideas, but were required to take those options and ideas and make them into a real solution. The results were impressive.
Each class was given the issue of traffic in Tucson. It is no secret that our valley of 1 million people has outgrown the infrastructure of our transportation grid.
The students took the available modes of transportation (High Speed Rail, Monorail, and Light Rail) and redesigned how Pima County would look if they were in control.
First period named their transportation design 'The Flash'. It combined high speed rail around the perimeter of the city with a monorail system that would connect to Tucson's center. The students came up with a color scheme, pricing list, cost budget, advertising campaign, and routes. Their color scheme was based on desert colors (think of a Tucson sunset) and a commercial was acted out in class.

Second period named their transportation design 'The Rattler'. It also combined high speed rail around the perimeter of the city with a monorail system that would connect to Tucson's center. Their trains and stations were themed entirely around our native snake.

The students presented their plans to our Principal, Alicia Alvarez, and she was impressed with their hard work and planning.

Our students care about their future and have a plan on how to make it work.

I'm very proud of their ideas, work, and vision for our city.

We're Back!! Body Weight Training Lobo Style

2009-11-20T04:54:00.000-08:00

Fire Up Lobos! My sincerest apologies for having not posted in a few weeks.
Our new fitness strategies students, however, have been working hard learning the techniques of physical fitness with limited equipment.
The photos selected are examples of body weight training. Human body weight is a fantastic way to improve aerobic fitness while obtaining anaerobic benefits. Each Lobo partnered up and used a variety of techniques (barrel races, piggy back rides, cradle carries, etc.) to gain full body resistance while competing against each other. We had a blast with this and will come back to it real soon as it is a nice change up to the routine. See you again real soon!
Coach Rod

Fitness Strategies U of A Visit

2009-10-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

On Monday October 12th, Alta Vista's Fitness Strategies and Physical Education classes took a trip to the University of Arizona to tour the Athletic/Strength and Conditioning facilities.

Our tour guides, Connor and Colin, were very gracious and informative in allowing us to see the in's and out's of McKale Center, the Jim Click Hall of Champions, and the Strength Complex. It is quite impressive what is inside the facility.

Our students were also impressed and ended up asking many great questions regarding college and the whole college experience.

Thanks go out to Ms. Alvarez for allowing us to take this tour, Ray for getting us there safe, and to Connor and Colin for a great tour!

Fire Up and Bear Down!

Speed Training Lobo Style Fitness Strategies 10/6/09

2009-10-05T23:15:00.000-07:00

Enjoy our second video. This is an example of our speed work out that we did twice a week for 10 weeks. We are faster and more agile as a result of our training methods.
It's great for a sweat too!
My student's 40 yard dash times were significantly faster as a result of the workouts.

I want to thank Alta Vista High School for this incredible opportunity to really be creative in my practice. Thank you to the Kino Center for the use of their beautiful facilities. I also want to give a tremendous thank you to my students for buying into the training methods and working hard everyday. They have met most of their goals in 10 weeks. Finally, a big thank you to our driver, Ray, who gets us to class safe everyday. Thanks Ray!

Looking forward to posting more videos of the class in Block 2.

Fire Up!

Final Exam Week October 5-8

2009-09-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings Lobos!
As we finish our 9th week we have a few reminders for everyone.

First: Spirit Week has been fantastic!
Monday: Mismatch Day
Tuesday: Breast Cancer Awareness Day (Wear Pink)
Wednesday: Tie Day
Thursday: Super Hero Day
Friday: Class Color Day + Spirit Assembly!
Continue to show your Lobo Pride by dressing up according to the daily theme.

Second: Final Exams begin next week!
We will be reviewing the semester's information and practicing on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
We will begin our final exam (100 questions) on Wednesday. We will finish on Thursday along with finalizing our grades. There is no school on Friday (School Grading Day).

My advice to Lobo Students is:

Continue to be here everyday.
Continue to turn in your work on time.
Continue to strive for excellence.

Let's finish the block strong together!

Mr. Rodriguez

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!! LOBO SOCCER (Futbol) WINS!

2009-09-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Lobo Soccer team for their 7-0 win over Academy of Tucson.

Great Job Coach Harrison and the Lobo Players!

We are all proud of you!

Go Lobos!

Looking at the Future Quick Write American History 9/23/09

2009-09-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took time to look into the future. The students were challenged to look at themselves in the mirror and say what they want to do with their life.

'If there were no restrictions put on you, what job/work/carreer would you pursue?'

The students were to list 5 'dream' jobs they would pursue.

The students then turned to a neighbor and shared their list before sharing selections of their list with the group.

My Dream 5 were:

1. Teach/Coach Oceanside, CA

2. Coach College Football

3. Be a roadie for Motley Crue

4. Work on the beach

5. Own/run a silkscreening business

Some of the student's responses were:

Professional piano player, own a music label, CEO of a fashion line, broadcasting engineer, be a Marine, chef, jet pilot, own a shoe company (skateboard), animator, pro soccer athlete, doctor, pro baseball player, CSI, Sniper, Video Game programmer, movie director, automotive design engineer, author.

The second half of the question was: What happens if your 'dream' job doesn't materialize? What is the back up plan?

This line of questioning made students realize that they must always have a back up plan while pursuing their 'dream'.

My back up/fall back plan to my dream 5 was

1. Teach/Coach in Tucson, AZ. (I already taught and coached in Oceanside for 8 years).

2. Coach Junior College football in Tucson.

3. Be a roadie for a Motley Crue tribute band (sometimes the tribute bands are better than the real thing!)

4. Visit the beach as often as possible.

5. Lean the silkscreen business during the off season.

The student's responses were as follows:

Nurse, Police officer, real estate agent, math teacher, join the armed forces, photo journalist, baseball coach, lawyer, go to college, mechanic school, graphic designer, Chef, probation officer, construction and excavating, firefighter, editor of a fashion magazine, animal care taker, dental assistant, radiologist, interior designer, cosmetologist, soccer coach.

Our students are as talented as any around. They sometimes don't realize just how talented they are. They are universally thankful for Alta Vista High School and the support they receive on a daily basis.

I'm thankful for having great students who work very hard for me daily.

Go Lobos!

Mr. Rodriguez

Joker's Wild Workout Fitness Strategies 9/24/09

2009-09-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

As we come to the end of our 8th week, we continue to find new ways to keep our workouts fresh.

Today we did what we describe as 'Joker's Wild'. We have a deck of cards that represent the possibility of 54 separate excercises (52 cards + 2 jokers).

Each card is given a value:

Joker = 50 repetitions, Aces = 30 repetitions, Face Cards = 20 repetitions, 10 Cards = 10 repetitions, and number cards = face value of the number.

Today we completed 20 separate movements for a total of 237 repetitions. The Lobos got their sweat on today and kept the workout fresh! Below is a list of what they accomplished

Push Ups, Crunches, Muscle Ups, Plyometric Vertical Jumps, Jumping Jacks, 4 laps around the ramada area ( around 250 meters per lap), Pull Ups, Tricep Dips on a bench, Incline push ups on a bench, Cartwheels, Leg lifts, Yoga planks.

No Joker's today but we had a few face cards, 10's and aces.

Another great day at the Kino Center!

Fire Up!

Coach Rod

Lobo Freerunning (Parkour) Video Style! 9/24/09

2009-09-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at posting video of our class. I don't have all of the new 'bells and whistles' technology.
It was filmed with a 4 year old Kodak digital camera (5.0 megapixel).
It was put together on a 6 year old HP Laptop with Windows Movie Maker.
Took me a couple of hours to put together (old technology crashed a couple of times but thankfully auto-saved most of the project:) It should be easier from now on.
The students look really neat on film and truly work their tails off for me in class. This is my first tribute to them. I just hope I do them justice with this 1st project. Thanks go out to the Kino Center for allowing us to use their fantastic facilities and to Alta Vista High School for giving me the opportunity to do what I truly love to do: Teach and coach students.
Fire Up! Coach Rod.

Parkour/Freerunning Lobo Style Part II: Skyriders!

2009-09-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

Angel, Shaheed, KJ, Izzy, and E rising above the 7th brick level.

Cool Stuff!

Airborne! Parkour/Freerunning Lobo Style! Part I 9/21/09

2009-09-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

Taken From Wikipedia:

Parkour or l'art du déplacement (English: the art of moving) is a physical discipline of French origin in which participants run along a route, attempting to negotiate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, as if moving in an emergency situation, using skills such as jumping and climbing.

Free running is a form of urban acrobatics in which participants, known as free runners, use the city and rural landscape to perform movements through its structures. It incorporates efficient movements from parkour, adds aesthetic vaults and other acrobatics, such as trickingand street stunts, creating an athletic and aesthetically pleasing way of moving.

For our Lobo Fitness Strategies class, we define it as having fun while working out!

Using our environment at the Kino Center (in this case, brick pillars) we created a series of plyometric jumps while incorporating agility and balance on our landing.

Some of our Lobos are quite athletic and explosive in their movements. Others are just starting to realize the potential they possess.

The students first started with a launch towards the pillar, plant their right foot on the pillar then push off. They were then to land on both feet in an athletic manner (bent knees, ballanced).

They were then to switch feet and push off with the left foot, then land.

They then had to launch with their left leg, touch both right then left feet, then land.

We then added a 'muscle up' at the top of the pillar with a soft landing.

They truly enjoyed the challenge.

Enjoy the photos.

Fire Up!

Coach Rod

Open House Photos Part II 9/18/09

2009-09-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

Some more photos of our staff, faculty, students, and Lobo Community enjoying our Open House.

Alta Vista Open House 9/18/09

2009-09-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

Alta Vista High School hosted its fall open house this past Friday.

Thank you to all of the families who attended.

Thank you to all the administration, faculty, and staff who helped make this event an annual reality.

Here are some photos of the successful event!

Go Lobos!

American History Puzzle Challenge Leaders Period 2 9/18/09

2009-09-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

My second period class did not finish the puzzle in time, but will pick it up on Monday.

Here are some photos of the action!

The current leaders with 31 answers out of 50 are

Coraima, Brianna, Ashley, Veronica, and Cesar.

To be continued.........

American History Puzzle Challenge Champions Period 1 9/18/09

2009-09-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today our class competed in a crossword puzzle challenge.

It is a collaborative lesson where students had to answer trivia questions that are based on the history of the United States. The clues were taken from regional, collegiate, professsional sports teams, popular culture, and famous citizens.

For example: "The Terminator is governor of this state."

Another example: "Means 'red' in Spanish and home to Rockies and Broncos."

The first group to turn in a completed form would earn an extra 25 points and their photo on our blog! Here are some photos of the action and the results!

CHAMPIONS!

Irving, Miguel, Adriana, Cela

CONGRATULATIONS LOBOS!

Russian Kettlebell Workout, Lobo Style!

2009-09-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

Russian Kettlebells (girya) are very popular in today's cutting edge physical fitness programs.
The kettlebell has become a popular exercise tool in the United States due largely to the efforts of strength and flexibility coach Pavel Tsatsouline.
However, the kettlebell is not necessarily a new device. It first appeared in a Russian dictionary in 1704 (Cherkikh, 1994) and was said to be used by Russian Royalty and the Special Forces of the military. Today the device is popular among many military, police, and mixed martial arts (MMA) practitioners.
They come in both kilogram and pound varieties (depending on your preference).
They start as low as 5 lbs. and work their way up to over 100 lbs.
Common Kettlebell lifts are:
Kettlebell swing (The above photos are examples of one and two arm swings)
Kettlebell snatch
Kettlebell jerk
Kettlebell Power Clean Squat Thrust
I personally enjoy the kettlbell because it breaks up the monotony of a workout cycle and keeps my workouts 'fresh'. Make no mistake, I am super sore when I wake up the next morning, but that means I accomplished something the day before.
We used them in what are known in the fitness world as 'Rounds'.
A typical round would include
- two hand kettlebell swings (minimum of 20 reps)
- one armed overhead shoulder press (minimum of 15 reps)
- 4 point burpies (minimum of 20)
- Incline Sprints (using a nearby hill, minimum of 5)
- Jumping Jacks (minimum of 50)
We would then complete 3 to 4 rounds, time permitting.

The kettlebells are widely available today at your local big box department store or sporting goods store. You can also purchase them online. Just search for 'kettlebells' in your browser and multiple sites will pop up.
I purchased mine at GNC (10 lbs), Sport Authority (15 lbs) and Wal-Mart (20 lbs).
I plan to purchase a couple of more (25 lbs and 30 lbs) in the next few weeks.
Fire Up!

Fitness Strategies Photos II 9/17/09

2009-09-17T14:56:00.001-07:00

Some photos of our speed ladder routine.
Our quickness and agility has increased over the past 7 weeks.
As I describe to the students, they can now 'walk and chew gum.'
Lobos are working hard every day.

Fitness Strategies 9/17/09

2009-09-17T14:48:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of our static warm up.

Fitness Strategies Photos III

2009-09-16T21:35:00.001-07:00

Finishing up our workout on 9/16/09.
Great Job Lobos!

Fitness Strategies Photos II 9/16/09

2009-09-16T21:26:00.001-07:00

Here are some more examples of our guys getting after it!

Fitness Strategies 9/16/09

2009-09-16T15:40:00.001-07:00

Greetings Lobos!
Our Fitness Strategies class is now in week 7 of the block.
My students have learned many new movements and learned that being sore is okay after a workout session.
Some have lost weight, others have gained weight.
The students are challenged every day.
So far we have done a variety of different workout strategies.
Below is a typical day in our class.
Arrive at the Kino Center (our home : )
Dress out
Head outside for dynamic warm up:
- 5 lines of Lobos. Each excercise is done for roughly 20 yards in length.
- high knee run
- 'butt' kickers
- lunge walk with a twist
- 'kick outs'
- ' karaokas'
- ' lay up' plyometric jumps
- broad jumps
We then line up and go through some static stretching
- hamstring stretch
- trunk twists
- quad stretch
- groin stretch (sumos, butterfly)
- lower back stretch (models/'Hollywoods")
- core stretch (cobra pose, supermen)
- jumping jacks
We use a speed ladder to increase agility and coordination along with anything we can find in our environment to increase our stamina, speed, strength, balance and mental focus.

We then go into our workout for the day.

Today we did speed work and agilities using home made planks.
We stresses quickness both horizontally and laterally.
We then went over and proceeded to work our full body using a jungle gym set.
We started with 'Muscle Ups' which is a pull up that finishes with a dip (3-5 x)
We then used our body weight while moving down a negative slope keeping our bodies vertical.
We then performed a roughly 3 foot plyometric jump from the groud to a platform.
We finished with pullups using handles attached to the gym.

We break a serious sweat every day.
I thank the students for allowing me to train them and I have a blast every day!!

Quick Write Day: 9/16/09

2009-09-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Today was a "Quick Write Day" in our class.
The student's had to answer a series of questions relating to Alta Vista High School.
Part I:
- When people ask you where you go to school, do you honestly answer 'Alta Vista High School'?
- What is the first question they ask about Alta Vista High School?
- Do you defend your school?

Part II:
- What are you most proud of when it comes to Alta Vista High School?
- or -
- What is your greatest accomplishment to date at Alta Vista High School?

The students' responses were very honest and to the point. By a vast majority, our students love Alta Vista. The reasons are, but are not limited to:
1. Safety. Our school is safe.
2. Individual Attention. The students love the attention they get in their academics.
3. Higher standards. This one was surprising. There are many things our students have to live up to on a daily basis. They may not like it at first, but once they adapt, it is appreciated.
4. Teachers who care. This is tied into number 2 on the list.
5. I'm getting good grades and I passed the AIMS test here. What else needs to be said?
6. AVHS doesn't let its students settle for less. (These are the student's responses, not mine :) )

When it came to the second set of questions, they mirrored the first set.
Students are proud of their academic success and the chance to excell in our new AIA sanction sports.
Our students are proud of their school and are valuing their education.
I am proud to be their teacher and look forward to the next quick write.

Welcome to our daily experience!

2009-09-16T05:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Coach Rod's Class! We hope that this will allow you, both student and parent, to stay up to date on what takes place in our class on a daily basis.
I look forward to having you join our community and continue a quest for excellence in and out of our classroom.