Joe

Hello, my name is Joe Cataldo. Welcome to my wiki page. Here, I will be posting some of the work I have done in class. If you have any feedback, post a comment below. Please DO NOT edit any files after you download them.

H.O.T. Question Answer 6/1/2016 Out of Issac Newton's laws of motion, his third law has the greatest impact on making a balloon move the way it does. The law states "For every action there is always an opposite and equal reaction." This means that the air being forced out of the balloon causes an opposite reaction. That opposite reaction is the balloon moving forward while the air moves backwards.

My Photo Biography

** Builders Journal ** Answers to the Questions (Daily life and Descriptions of Living Areas) The importance of a great hall in a castle was to be a safe place for the lord and lady to live and rule. A typical great hall was a large one-room area often on the second floor of the castle. Usually great halls had stone pillars or wooden posts. The windows had wooden shudders supported by iron bars. The floor was often wooden. Heating in medieval castles was accomplished by the invention of the fireplace. The fireplace would give heat to the castle both directly and through radiation from the stones, the hearth, and the opposite wall, which was extra thick to absorb the heat when the fire begins to die. Kitchens in medieval castles were often made of wood. They would often have several fireplaces to cook meat. Eating utensils were washed outside in a scullery. Animals were kept nearby. In early castles, the family slept at the upper end of the hall. Each of their bedrooms were separated by a screen or a curtain. If a castle had its great hall on the ground floor, it would have a great chamber over a storeroom for the lord and the lady to sleep. Squints were peepholes that were used by the owner or steward of the castle to watch what was going on below them. There was often water on all floors of the castle. Aside from the well, there was usually a cistern or reservoir on an upper level of the castle that had pipes to carry water to the lower levels. In early castles, the chapel was located nearby the hall, close to the high table and bed chamber. When guests came for dinner, they sat on benches. The castle family sat on a raised chair. The tables that the guests sat at were taken apart after the meal. Four facts about knights:
 * Knights rode on pigs during training.
 * It take 14 years to become a knight.
 * A knight’s full suit of armor weighed 50 lbs.
 * Knight’s lances were measured so that no knights would have a longer lance.

Glossary Allure- A walkway on the top of a castle wall Arch- a curved shape to support a wall Ambry- a chapel to hold sacred items Bailey- a courtyard inside the castle walls Barbican- the gateway defending the drawbridge Battlement- dips in the walls of allures to give cover to archers and make it easier for them to shoot Buttery- a room where wine was despensed Buttress- a brick or stone wall support Curtain Wall- a wall between two towers Keep- a strong main tower Dormer- window in a sloping roof Drawbridge- a bridge over a moat that can be raised or lowered Gallery- long passage or room Garderobe- toilet Gate House- a complex of towers, bridges, and barriers to protect an entrance Great Chamber- the lord’s bedroom Hall- the main room of a castle Moat- a deep trench full of water around a castle Murder Holes- a hole in the ceiling that harmful substances can be dropped onto attackers through Outer Curtain- the wall around the outer ward Outer Ward- the area around the inner curtain Parapet- a low wall around the outer side of the main wall Postern Gate- a less important entryway to a castle Rampart- a steep wall of earth around a castle Turret- a small tower often used for lookout Wicket- a smaller door set into the main door

My report on John Williams

Shut Down Your Screens Week By Joe Cataldo

Have you ever thought about how technology on screens affects our daily lives? Technology is a major part of our lives today. This is why it would be very impractical for A.B. Parker School to participate in shut down our screens week. Also, technology with screens is similar to writing when they are compared by their growth in popularity and the need to have them. In addition to the previous point, screens keep us connected with long distance friends. Finally, devices with screens are essential for education.

One major reason to not join others in shut down our screens week is because screens are like writing. More than 2,000 years ago, “the classical Greek philosopher Socrates complained that the new technology of writing would ‘create forgetfulness in the learner’s soul because they will not use their memories”. Socrates had almost the same opinion about writing as some people do today, only with screens. Writing is currently a colossal part of our lives. Screens can eventually be as popular and needed as writing, but only if we let them.

Another reason to not shut down our screens is because they keep us connected. According to Keith Hampton, (an associate professor at the school of communication and information at Rutgers) “Neither living alone nor using social media is socially isolating. Based on a representative survey of 2,500 Americans… those who had used social media had more close confidants.” Other surveys had similar results. These studies show us that cellphones, social media, etc. help us communicate with anyone, and in the most convenient ways possible.

Are you still skeptical about not participating in shut down your screens week? If you think that we don’t need electronic devices with screens simply because generations before us did not have screens, then you may want to consider how technology has evolved into a major part of our lives. This has happened even in our education system. Computers, smart boards, tablets, and even more screen equipped devises are essential to our learning process. For example, we wouldn’t be able to access our class wiki, search the web, complete projects using Microsoft™ programs, and more. An example of this would be using Google for research. “The Internet contains the world’s best writing, images, and ideas; and Google lets us find the relevant pieces instantly.”

In conclusion, Parker school should not participate in shut down our schools week. We need our screens for our education and to stay connected. You should think about how technology affects your life, and why we need it.

My Resume

Joe Cataldo


 * Involvements: **
 * Band/ Select Band (Saxophone) (2.5 Years)
 * Karate (Through Baileys Karate) (3 years) (Purple Belt)
 * Basketball (Through CYB)
 * Vice President of Student Council
 * Enrichment (Grades 3-6)
 * Safety Patrol
 * Chorus
 * Actor in Parker 6th Grade Musical __The Lion King. (__Scar)
 * Ski Club
 * Flag Football (through J.M. McDonald) (2 years)
 * Lit. Circle
 * Qualified For Accelerated Math
 * Actor in CYB Summer Drama Program (3 Years)


 * Achievements/ Awards: **
 * Gold Medal for Kata in Karate Tournament
 * Silver Medals for Sparring in Karate Tournaments
 * Sportsmanship Award For CYB Basketball
 * Only Undefeated Team In 2016 CYB Basketball
 * 5th Place in Music at The Parks Statewide Competition (Elementary Bands)
 * 1st Place in Music in The Parks Statewide Competition (Elementary Bands)
 * 2 Outstanding Ratings in NYSSMA
 * Highest Academic Achiever for Grades 3-5
 * Top Accelerated Reader Grades 2-5


 * Future Involvements (7th Grade): **
 * Accelerated Math
 * Band
 * Chorus
 * Cross Country/Track
 * Basketball
 * Karate
 * M.A.S.H. Camp
 * Drama Club
 * Spanish
 * Ski Club
 * Soccer

My Report on African Lions ** African Lions ** ** By Joe Cataldo ** Introduction How much do you know about African Lions? They are fascinating creatures that reside in the grasslands and savannas of India and Africa, and prey on large animals. Lions are very popular in literature. Also, there are several interesting things about lions that you may not know. Habitat Lions are currently most commonly found in savannahs, grasslands, woodlands and dense bush areas that are located in the regions marked in red on the map below. They live in groups called prides that usually consist of three males, a dozen females, and the cubs. In ancient times, lions actually ranged far into Asia and Europe and could even be found in Greece and the Balkan Penninsula. Lion fossils have been found in Germany, Italy, and Northern Asia. However, due to poisoning and hunting by humans it is now rare to find lions outside of protected areas. Due to human destruction of lion habitats, lions have disappeared from Asia, with the exception of a lion sanctuary in India. Diet Lions, like all living things, lions need to eat and drink in order to survive. They typically prey on zebras, antelope, wildebeest, buffalo, and other large animals. Contrary to what many people may think, male lions actually do not hunt. They simply move the prey closer to the lionesses (females) so they can do the real killing. The lionesses move together in a group until they are very close to their prey. They then jump on their prey and bite the nape of the victims neck or throat.The animal will then die. After the kill is completed, the lions begin to squabble over the animal carcass. The adult lions get the most meat, folowed by the cubs. The cubs usually begin to help with the hunting after they turn a year old. Sometimes, if given the opportunity, lions will hunt on their own. Also, they will occasionally steal kills from hyenas and wild dogs.

Depiction In Literature

Lions are popular animals to appear in books and movies. There are many non-fiction books about lions and other big cats. Also, you can find a number of books and movies about lions that are completely fictional.

The most popular production involving lions and other animals is by far, Disney’s __The Lion King__. In this movie, lions are portrayed as strong and wise, yet very curious and playful as cubs. They are also shown as leaders to other animals, as they rule “the pride lands,” which are the lion’s fictional kingdom. In real life, lions are often looked upon by humans as strong, courageous, and brave. Lions are also at the top of the food chain, therefore, are greatly respected and feared by lesser creatures. Other Interesting Facts

There are many interesting facts pertaining to lions that you may not have known of. Some of the most intriguing things about lions are as follows:The scientific name for the African Lion is //panthera leo,// andLions are the only species of big cats to travel in groups. Those groups are known as prides.

Another fact about about lions is that the male lion is the only member of the big cat family to have a mane. Their roar can be heard from up to 4.9 miles away. Also, all lions have a tuft of black hair at the end of their tail, and inside that hair is a tough patch of skin. You may not know that most lions can run at a speed of up to about 50mph. One more fact is that all of the female lions in a pride are related.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lions are amazing animals from Africa that are at the top of the food chain, popular in movies and books, and very interesting in ways that many people do not know. Maybe after reading this, you will learn even more about lions.

Sources


 * Grolier Databases
 * National Geographic

My Coat Of Arms Writing

** My Coat Of Arms ** The reason that I used the colors green and red for the background of my coat of arms design was because they each have meaning behind them. I chose red because it symbolizes eagerness to serve, and many members of my family have served in the U.S. military. I chose green because it represents freedom and joy, which can also be aligned with my family. There is also meaning behind the six symbols on my coat of arms. The antelope symbolizes wisdom and peace, which are qualities of my family. The naked arm represents people who believe in hard work. The bull shows bravery, and many of my relatives proved their bravery by serving in the military. The Lozenge symbolizes honesty and truth. The snail represents perseverance in hard times. The sword is a symbol for both military honor and freedom. By   Joe

My Essay On The Great Depression

** How People Were Affected By the Great Depression **

Have you ever thought about how you would be affected if you were in the great depression? What if you had barely enough money to get by, if that? Many people were greatly affected by it, for example: having to go without everyday supplies, not being able to grow and sell crops to make money, and having to conserve energy and gas to save money. Robert J. Hastings and his family were affected by the great depression because “With no dependable income,” they had to “cut back on everything possible… the evening paper… the city water” and “the ice and milk delivery.” They had to go without nearly everything they paid for, just to save what money they could. A group of people that were affected by the great depression were all of the farmers. They were affected because during the great depression a series of dust storms hit, called the dust bowl. One farmer said “It hasn’t rained enough to grow wheat in three years.” With the massive drought, the farmers couldn’t grow crops, so they couldn’t make money to buy seeds, or feed their families. One final person who was affected by the great depression was Robert J. Hastings’ mom. Because of the stock market crash which started the great depression, most people had little or no money. In order to save what money that she and her family had, Robert J. Hastings’ mom was always “Keeping the electric bill to $1.00 a month and the gas bill to $1.00 a month in June July and August.” In conclusion, most or all people that lived through the great depression heavily affected by it. Some of the people that were affected by it were the farmers, Robert J. Hastings, and his mom. How would you have faced all the challenges of the great depression?

By: Joe

We are thinking about the inter-connectivity of the sea and land The picture displayed in class shows how sea and land animals are connected and rely on each other. With the depletion of fish happening throughout the world, we can use the diagram to see what the effect would be if there were no fish.

The Manorial System

There are seven main parts to the manorial system: The Castle The Manor House Vassal's Fief The Mill Serf's House The Church Farming The fief, also known as the manor of the middle ages was similar to a large farm. On this farm, the lord. lady, serfs, and villeins all worked alongside each other. Together, they made and grew the things that they needed to survive. They also were required to give a portion of their crops to their king. Around 200 A.D., The Europeans began to use water and wind mills. They got the idea to do so from the Arabs. Using the mill, the Medieval Europeans were able to make bread, corn, wheat, barley, and rye. Making these crops was a key piece to survival. The king or lord of a Manor would build a castle to defend and oversee his land, and to have a safe home for his family and servants. There were seven levels to the castle,including: the turret, the wardrobe, and the lords bedroom.

Questions about Feudalism

1. Is feudalism a fair system? Why or why not? No,feudalism was not a fair system. Some people in higher social classes get everything they want. Some people in lower social classes end up with almost nothing.

2. What was your role in our activity? How did you feel in your role? In our activity, I was a serf. I ended up feeling... alright. As a serf I only ended up with two M&Ms, but our queen was surprisingly generous, so I got about twenty M&Ms.

3. Do you think serfs ever tried to revolt? Why or why not? Yes, I think that at some point the serfs did revolt. The serfs must have realized that feudalism was unfair. In our activity, the serfs tried to revolt over M&Ms. If we tried to revolt over chocolate, then you could only imagine what it was like for actual serfs in the middle ages.

My report for the International Fair (You must download to see)

My Slowing Down The Action writing piece

Slowing Down the Action

My team was down by one point. I could tell by the faces of my fellow players that we were going to lose. There were only nine seconds on the clock. The score was thirty seven to thirty six. I quickly realized that there was no defender on me. Max passed me the ball, and I went for the impossible. I turned toward the hoop. I felt weightless as I sprinted down the court. I could sense the tension building up between the players, the coaches, and the crowd. This shot would mean everything for my team. Once I saw the foul line beneath me, I slowed down. I could see the hoop above me. I turned slightly, launching the ball up through the air. The loud crack of the ball hitting the backboard echoed throughout the court. The ball bounced onto the rim and began to circle around. Three seconds left. The ball kept going. Two. One. It finally passed through the net. The buzzer sounded. The crowd was roaring in excitement. We had won.

My obituary for David Bowie We are writing obituaries for David Bowie. The world has recently lost a great man with incredible talent. David Bowie passed away last night (1/10/2016) at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer. He had an amazing career. He acted in 28 movies. Bowie also wrote sang the songs “changes”, “Fame”, “Heroes”, “Modern Love”, and many more. A great many artists were heavily inspired by Bowie. He released several albums too, including “Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” and “Black Star”. He left behind his wife Iman and their two children Duncan and Alexandria. David Bowie and his artistic legacy will be widely remembered across the globe.



By Joe

My essay on Malala Yousafzai Malala The Powerful

What if someday you were performing your usual morning routine, but then a group of people wearing balaclavas and carrying huge guns told you to not go to school? Would you risk going to school with the possible result of being shot? The poem, In Darkest Hours, describes someone very courageous, like Malala Yousafzai. She stood up to the Taliban and went to school even though she could be shot- or worse.

The poem, In Darkest Hours, describes someone like Malala, a person who carries “…mountains on their back in the darkest night”. The poet is explaining that in difficult times, some people stand up and are courageous, like Malala. She proved that she was one of those people by speaking out against the Taliban when she knew she could be heavily punished for doing so.

Another reason why Malala is like the person described by the poem is because “…she had a powerful weapon: her own voice.” She was courageous because she used that weapon to help Pakistani girls obtain an education even though she could have been shot, flogged, killed, etc.

A third and final reason why Malala is very courageous and fits the description of the person in the poem is that she wasn’t just an ordinary girl. “She was also a courageous fighter in the struggle to help girls in Pakistan go to school.” She proved her bravery, like the one described by the poem, by defying the Taliban even though they were a nasty piece of work.

In conclusion, Malala Yousafzai fits the description of the courageous person on the poem. She stood up for her own rights and the rights of the people around her by speaking out and defying the Taliban. If you had to deal with the Taliban or something similar, would you take the risk standing up for your rights?

By Joe

My PowerPoint presentation on math definitions (You must download to see)

My Odysseus narrative writing Odysseus and the Charodacton

After the last adventure Odysseus and his men had, their ship was damaged and they were in serious need of food and water. “Sir! There are some islands up ahead!” yelled Tomosokos. “Good work. Take us to that woodland island straight ahead.” replied Odysseus. “Full speed ahead!” commanded Tomosokos.

“Tie up the ship.” “Tomosokos I need you to take four other men and do your best to repair the ship. The rest of us will look for food and water.” ordered Odysseus. He and his men searched for an hour until they found trees and other plants that were growing edible fruit and grain. They started collecting the food when one of the men, Telobachos said “Do you hear that?” “Yeah. It’s like a distant rustling in the leaves.” whispered Odysseus “Wait. Halt.” He told the men. “Something’s moving, and it’s not one of us.” said Telobachos. Out of the trees came a huge monster. It was a charodacton. It looked like a thirty foot tall orange and black tiger, but it had five snakes for heads. It was silent except for a slight hiss when it moved and a huge roar when it killed something. With a huge roar it crushed two men under its paw. The five snakes each aimed at a man, and opened their mouth. Then fire shot out and the men burned to death.

The charodacton lunged at Odysseus. He dodged to the side and the Charodacton crashed into a few trees. “Run!” yelled Odysseus. The charodacton pursued them throughout the forest. “I have an idea!” yelled one of the men “When it tries to pounce on you, dodge to the side. It can’t stop and turn well.” “Good idea, I think you’re correct.”Replied Odysseus. One man tried it and the Charodacton ran right past. Another man tried that method, but the Charodacton had learned its lesson. Instead of flying past, the monster stopped in its tracks and ate the man. “Well, it looks like we can’t outsmart it. So we will have to fight It.” said Odysseus. “Charge!” He yelled. All of the remaining men unsheathed their weapons and ran to slay the monster. Odysseus climbed up a tree, and then he jumped off and onto the Charodacton’s back. He took his sword and stabbed it right in the neck where the snakes came out. The five heads tried to snap at him, but the Charodacton collapsed on the ground and stopped moving. “That’s a tough monster it will only stay down for a few minutes. Now, let’s go.” Announced Odysseus. They all ran back to the ship.

“Hurry, before that thing follows us!” Odysseus told his men. Right after he said that, the Chaodacton jumped from the trees and the five snakes shot fire in his direction. The ship came into view. Odysseus yelled to Tomosokos and his four men “Go! Get the ship ready!” “Yes Sir.” Tomosokos responded. The Charodacton trampled the man in back with its huge tiger paws. Odysseus and the remaining men leaped onto the ship just as it left the bay.

“That was a close one.” Said Tomosokos. “Yeah” replied Odysseus. “Let’s try to get home, if Poseidon doesn’t send us towards even more monsters."

By Joe

A list of books that I have read this school year

Loot Baseball Saved Us Three Years and Eight Months The Lightning Thief The Sea Of Monsters The Titans Curse The Battle Of The Labyrinth The Last Olympian The Lost Hero The Son Of Neptune The Mark Of Athena The House Of Hades The Blood Of Olympus Everest Everest II Listen To The Wind Zeus Poseidon Hephaestus The Fault In Our Stars Eyewitnesses To WWII Human Anatomy 