Dancing for Physical Fitness

Dia for María Ratona was a cat named Mouse. She was small and gray, and had a tiny squeaky meow. She liked to sit in a hole in the shed wall. Ratona lived for a long time. Eight months ago, she died. I'm not sad anymore, but I think about her often. One day, Mamá was setting up Tía Teresa's ofrenda, a special altar, for Day of the Dead. Teresa passed away when I was a baby. "Mamá, can we celebrate pets?" I asked. "This is mostly for family, though I suppose Ratona was part of ours," Mamá said. "We can celebrate her the day before," I suggested. Later, Mamá and I went to the market in Puebla. We got paper banners, sugar skulls, and marigolds. On October 31, my friends came over. Adriana brought her dog, Sal. or Salt. She had a photo of Sal's sister, Pimienta, or Pepper, who died last summer. Gloria had a picture of Raúl the rooster, a pet she had lost. We set up the banners, marigolds. and photos where Ratona used to sit. "Once, Pimienta stole a pound of cheese from our cooler. She got into the trash and ate it later! I have cheese for Pimienta," Adriana said. "My mother makes pumpkin seeds for my great-grandfather's ofrenda. Raúl jumped up and ate them! My mother was so mad. I brought some for Raúl," Gloria said. "If someone had ice cream, Ratona went Squeak! Squeak! until you let her lick the bowl. I have ice cream for Ratona," I said. I gave Adriana and Gloria sugar skulls before they left. I thought about funny little Ratona. On the last day of celebrations, my family walked to the graveyard. Everyone from the area came. There were fireworks and even a band. Tía Teresa's gravestone was piled with flowers, sweet bread, and candles. Mamá smiled to herself. "One day, María, your Tía Teresa heard a tiny squeak coming from the grass. It was a little gray kitten. Teresa named her Ratona," Mamá said. She continued, "When Teresa died, I took Ratona. You loved her right away. You reminded me of Teresa." Everyone was laughing and dancing. I was too young to remember Tía Teresa, but we had both loved Ratona. That made me happy. Mamá took my hand. "I think it's time to dance!" she said.

Phrasal Verb Quiz Instructions: Choose the best meaning for the bold phrasal verb in each sentence. She looked up a word in the dictionary. A) To stare at something B) To find information in a book or online C) To write a new word She looked up at the sky. A) To raise your eyes to see something above B) To search for a specific star C) To feel happy He always tries to get out of doing his chores. A) To leave the house B) To finish work quickly C) To avoid doing something you don't want to do Why didn’t you call me back last night? A) To shout at someone B) To return a phone call C) To remember a name She was bored at the party, so she took off. A) To start dancing B) To leave suddenly C) To remove her coat I can’t figure out the answer to this question. A) To understand or solve something B) To draw a picture C) To forget a fact I am free on Sunday. Do you want to come over? A) To go to a store B) To visit someone’s house C) To call someone on the phone He had to make up a story about a dragon and a princess. A) To read a book aloud B) To invent or create a story C) To fix a mistake After three years in college, she suddenly dropped out. A) To graduate with honors B) To stop attending school before finishing C) To fall down the stairs My manager handed out the reports during the meeting. A) To give something to many people in a group B) To throw something away C) To write a report by hand I had to fill out a form. A) To complete a document by writing information B) To make something bigger C) To throw a paper in the trash I ran into some old friends yesterday. A) To race against someone B) To meet someone by chance (unexpectedly) C) To call someone on purpose We will pick up our parents from the airport tonight. A) To lift something heavy B) To collect someone in a car C) To say goodbye When are you going to give up smoking? A) To start a new habit B) To stop doing something C) To buy something expensive My teacher crossed out my mistakes with a red pen. A) To draw a line through something B) To highlight something important C) To give a good grade I should go over my notes before my presentation. A) To lose your papers B) To review or check something carefully C) To write new notes

Maria's Family Celebration It is Mexican Independence Day! Maria and Luis are getting ready for a big party. "We can decorate the house," says Maria. "Let's paint a picture of our family." "Mama was born first. She is the oldest," says Maria. "Papa was born second," Maria says. "He is one year younger." "Next is Emily," says Maria. "She is Mama and Papa's first child." "After Emily, you were born," says Luis. "That's right!" says Maria. "I am Mama and Papa's second child." "What about me?" asks Luis. "You were the last to be born," says Maria. "You are the youngest." "There!" says Maria. "Our family picture is done!" "Green, white, and red are the colors of the Mexican flag," says Maria. Maria and Luis blow up five green balloons. They blow up five white balloons and five red balloons, too. "I'm out of breath!" says Luis. "Let's see," says Maria. "We painted a picture first. We blew up balloons second. The third thing we can do is fill the piñata." Maria gets the striped fish piñata from the shelf. Maria and Luis stuff the piñata with candy. When Luis thinks Maria isn't looking, he pops a piece of candy into his mouth. Maria gives him a hug. "You are silly," she says. Papa hangs the piñata. "We need a blindfold," says Maria. "We need a stick to break the piñata, toо." Abuela finds a red-checked scarf for Maria and a long stick for Luis. "The piñata is ready!" says Maria. "The fourth thing to do is practice dancing, Luis!" Maria and Luis dress in their party clothes. Then, they dance and spin. Soon, the house fills up with food, family, and music. There are six cousins, two aunts, three uncles, and three grandparents. There is Papa, Mama, Emily, Maria, and Luis, too. "There is one last thing we can do," Maria says. "And it's the most fun!" "What is it?" asks Luis. "CELEBRATE!" says Maria.

Carlos's Family Celebration It's Mexican Independence Day! Carlos and Selena are getting ready for a big party. "We can decorate the house," says Carlos. "Let's paint a picture of our family." "Mama was born first. She is the oldest," says Carlos. "Papa was born second," Carlos says. "He is one year younger." "Next is Mateo," says Carlos. "He is Mama and Papa's first child." "After Mateo, you were born," says Selena. "That's right!" says Carlos. I am Mama and Papa's second child." "What about me?" asks Selena. "You were the last to be born," says Carlos. "You are the youngest." "There!" says Carlos. "Our family picture is done!" "Green, white, and red are the colors of the Mexican flag," says Carlos. Carlos and Selena blow up five green balloons. They blow up five white balloons and five red balloons, too. "I'm out of breath!" says Selena. "Let's see,"says Carlos. "We painted a picture first. We blew up balloons second. The third thing we can do is fill the piñata.” Carlos gets the big star piñata from the shelf. Carlos and Selena stuff the piñata with candy. When Selena thinks Carlos isn't looking, she pops a piece of candy into her mouth. Carlos gives her a hug. "You are silly," he says. Mateo hangs the piñata in the apartment's grassy yard. "We need a blindfold," says Carlos. "And a stick to break the piñata, too." Abuela finds a red-checked scarf for Carlos and a long stick for Selena. "The piñata is ready!" says Carlos. "The fourth thing to do is practice dancing, Selena!" Carlos and Selena dress in their party clothes. Then, they dance and spin. Soon, the house fills up with food, family, and music. There are cousins, aunts, uncles, new babies, and new friends. There is Papa, Mama, Mateo, Carlos and Selena, too. "There is one last thing we can do," Carlos says. "And it's the most fun!" "What is it?" asks Selena. "CELEBRATE!" says Carlos.

The lucky accident Probably every Zumba fan knows this story: Alberto ‘Beto’ Pérez invented Zumba by accident. He was an aerobics instructor in his home town of Cali, Colombia. One day he forgot the music for his class. He had some cassettes of Latin dance music in his bag. He played them and improvised the exercises: a mix of dance steps and aerobic movements. His class loved it. The music was different, the moves looked attractive and the workout was fun. That’s how this ultra-energetic new fitness programme was born. Before, things were not easy for Beto. As a child, he loved dancing: he watched and imitated John Travolta, but his mother had no money for dance lessons. At the age of fourteen Beto already worked to help support his family. Still, he danced when he could. In the late 1980s, a dance called the lambada became very popular. Beto won a national lambada competition when he was nineteen. After that, a dance academy in Cali contacted him with an offer: he could study dance and teach aerobics. It was then, as an aerobics instructor, that he created Zumba. He decided to take his idea to the USA. He went to Miami, Florida with little money and almost no English. Fitness centre managers were not interested in his videos at first. Then one day a gym owner said, ‘OK, teach me.’ It was early afternoon, the gym was empty. But soon people started coming in. When they saw Beto dancing, they immediately wanted to join this new class. And so he got his first job in America. Breaking the world record for the largest Zumba class (Mandaluyong City, The Philippines). In Miami, he met Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion, who became his business partners. Together, the ‘three Albertos’ built up Zumba to the global business it is today. The company trains thousands of certified instructors, runs classes for all age groups, sells music, training videos and clothes. According to the official website, fifteen million people around the world take part in Zumba classes to keep fit and have fun. And it all started by accident!

It's Cinco de Mayo, Carlos! Carlos and Maria walked past the city park after the baseball game. "It's almost Cinco de Mayo," Carlos said. "The festival is only a month away." "Miss Lopez is teaching us a special dance for the festival," said Maria. "We need one more boy." "Will you dance with us?" asked Maria. "Are you dancing in front of people?" asked Carlos. "Miss Lopez will help you," said Maria, smiling. That evening, Carlos asked Abuela about Cinco de Mayo. "There was a big battle on May 5th, in 1862," said Abuela. "A big army came to attack the small town of Puebla." "Only a small group of young soldiers lived in Puebla. They were scared, but they didn't give up," said Abuela. "The big army didn't think the young soldiers would fight," said Abuela. "But the young soldiers won!" she said. "So, that's what we celebrate on Cinco de Mayo!" said Carlos. Carlos couldn't sleep that night. He thought about the soldiers. He thought about learning the dance. "I can be brave, too," he said. Miss Lopez showed Carlos the steps. He stepped on Maria's foot. He tripped and slipped. "Don't worry," said Maria. "You'll get better." Carlos felt he would never learn. But he didn't give up. His father gave him a surprise on the morning of the festival. "Real cowboy boots!" Carlos said. There were so many things to see. Carlos and Maria stopped to watch a puppet show. The crowd was clapping. "I hope they clap for us," said Carlos. They saw rows of shining cars. "Let's look at the hot rods!" he said. "Hurry, Carlos!" said Maria. "We just have time to put on our costumes." It was time for their dance. Carlos looked at the big crowd. His heart pounded. "You can do it," whispered Maria. Then the music started. People began to clap in time to the music. Carlos stomped his feet in his new cowboy boots. Suddenly, the music stopped. It was over. He hadn't tripped once. The crowd cheered and clapped. Abuela's cheer was the loudest!

What I Can Do Evaluate Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter to your paper. 1. The following activities can be done during the rainy season EXCEPT _ A. flying kites B. watching TV C. reading books D. aerobic dancing 2. When is the most appropriate time to go on a family outing? A. wet season B. dry season C. cold season D. rainy season 3. Which food is best to eat during summer? A. lomi B. halo-halo C. hot coffee D. chicken soup 4. Which activity is suitable to do in a wet season? A. swimming B. drying fish C. staying indoors D. taking your pet dog for a walk 5. Which of the following materials is appropriate to bring regardless of the season? A. shades B. wide hat C. umbrella D. thick clothes

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