Pure excitement

I was sure of 2 things that would happen this week.  First, Apolo Anton Ohno would win Dancing with the Stars.  He did.  Second, the blog would reach 3,000 comments.  It did.  And both of these events happened on the same night, and almost the same time. 
3000!!  This is just fantastic.  I never thought it would pass 2000.  Now I know 3500 will not happen, but how high will it reach in 2 weeks time?  Who will be the last person to comment on a great year of blogging?  But more important: who was #3,000??

Brandon of Period 2
Way to go!

 

One Quarter of 10,000

What’s of 10,000?  What about or 100 times 25?  That would be the number of comments now on the blog.  Yep, 2500 comments.  The big winner? 

Ivey of Period 4

We did make it to 2500, so show me 3000!  Sorry to Ryan, Josh, Kris, and everyone else who said, “I will be #2500!”  There is still #3000.  I’m broke, so Homework Passes are in store for Ivey, but more importantly she has the title of “Comment number 2500.”

 

Holding my breath

I watched the blog closely after school yesterday.  The comment count was 1997.  Then 1998, followed quickly by 1999.  I waited.  I waited some more.  Who will #2000 be?  I wouldn’t find out until I got home.  There were 20 comments waiting for me.  So who was lucky #2000?  That would be. . .

WES of period 3!

Wes was comment #2000.  Wow, 2000 comments since we started this blog in August.  That’s amazing.  I didn’t think we would hit 2000 all year.  We had 500 comments in less than month.  Will we make 2500?  What about 3000?  I’m running out of money with all the gift card prizes!  Keep up the great work everyone.

 

What a Celebration!

Today we celebrated Pi day.  We had a pi-repeating contest and we learned a surprising fact about a can of tennis balls.  And not to mention TONS OF FOOD!!  Congrats to Nathan of 3rd period for knowing pi to 54 places!  Special recognition to Michelle of 4th with 45 pi places and Thomas of 5th with 31 pi places.  It was fun.  The benchmarks were moved to our next class meeting so we could keep the tables in groups.  Benchmark 38 on the area of a regular polygon and benchmark 39 on identifying quadrilaterals.  Be sure to take the practice benchmarks on Moodle.
Coming up:

• Benchmarks 38 and 39 on Tues/Wed (20/21)
• Polygon Test on Monday (3/26)

 

Happy π Day!

While we will have our Pi celebration this coming Monday so that we don’t lose a precious block period, today is officially π day.  Wish everyone around you a “Happy π day!”
There are a TON of pi related sites out there on the internets, but I thought I’d share a few of my favorite.  It’s the best one because there are several other links to fun and exciting things about pi, including how to calculate pi by throwing frozen hot dogs!

How to Celebrate Pi Day – WikiHow 

And on Monday, we will have a competition to see who can memorize pi to the most places.  Start practicing!

3.1415926535897932384
626433832795028841971
693993751058209749445
923078164062862089986
2803482534211706

Update: You have to watch this clip. No, it’s not me. I’m not that creative.

 

Recent benchmarks

I finally got the most recent benchmarks (#34-37 on polygons) graded and added to the the grade report.  We will spend some more time with interior and exterior angles of polygons over the next few days.  I have also added class percents to the benchmark summary spreadsheet.  Please take the time to use Moodle and practice the benchmarks before we re-take them on Monday. 

Next Wednesday is Pi day, where everyone in our nation celebrates the wonderful number called Pi (π).  We will be having a party on Monday, March 19.  The only requirement is that whatever you bring has to be round.  I will supply the paper products (round plates, round cups, round napkins?, etc).  And remember, Pi day is all about sharing!
Posting for Points Question:
What is the difference between these two formulas (besides the fact the one of them is divided by n).  What are they used for?

and ?

This website might provide some help.  Plus it’s really interactive.

Update:  Too many of you are putting for the second equation .   This is the WRONG FORMULA!!  These “users of the wrong formula” will not get any points!

 

Benchmark Exam

Today we took the benchmark exam… yep, another test.  This is to see where we are at as individuals, as a school, and as a district.  It was pretty fun.
I also distributed our Moodle passwords, as well as bonus passes for 70% or higher on benchmarks.  Your homework is to log onto Moodle and read the Moodle Rules.  You must follow these rules if you want to participate in Moodle.  Go ahead and explore, too.  If you want to start adding vocabulary or homework questions, feel free to do so.  the best ones make it to the global dictionary!
Coming up:

• Benchmark 25-28 Retakes Monday (2/26)

Update:  We will be in library Monday for Moodle, but report to class first!

Posting for Points Question:
Well, it’s not really a question.  Awhile back I posted an entry called “Name the Domain.”  A domain is the name for a specific website like hotmath.com.  My current domain for the website is web.mac.com/jkfjelstrom/iWeb/ElDHomepage/Welcome.html.  I would like something a bit shorter.  Help me out.  What would be a catchy domain name for my website?  It needs to be easy and preferably something to do with Math.  There is a special prize for the winner.

 

#1,000

On Tuesday, January 23, this blog received comment #1,000 since we started in August.  That’s ONE THOUSAND comments by you, the students.  Congrats to Ivey of period 4 who has the honors of being the 1000th commentor (as well as her $10 gift!).  Honorable mention goes to Wes of period 3 with a just as notable comment #999.  Can we make it to 2000 by June?

Also, I added a chat widget in the right side bar.  If I’m online, use it to drop me a line (or leave me a message).  It is totally private, so no one else will see your message.  Just let me know who you are. 

Keep it up Miners!

One last thing- you have to see El D’s “Fiddler on the Roof”.  What a fantastic production.  Congratulate the cast and crew on a job well done.

 

First Semester: Done

Our first semester is now finished.  Final grades are up, and we are off for 3 weeks.  Take that time to celebrate the holidays with your family and enjoy the time off.  The website and blog will be going through some minor changes, so stay tuned. 
Also, a big thanks to all of you.  This blog keeps growing.  I’m now the #2 hit when you search for Geometry Blog.  We hit 874 comments this semester.  My goal is to get 1000 comments next semester.  Thanks again to everyone. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

First Podcast

Actually, not a podcast, but a screencast.  This is something I’ve been wanting to do all semester, but just never got to it.  Let me know what you think.
This is the YouTube version, but there is a better version on the Geometry Website.  If you use iTunes, you can click “Subscribe” on the Geometry site and have them automatically downloaded when a new one comes out.  I plan on doing these for each of the benchmarks next semester.  And if you’re nerdy lucky enough to have a video iPod (maybe this Christmas?), these should fit on there just fine.  Enjoy.