Week Eleven

Hi Guys,

Wow, has the time flown by. I have a few lame excuses for not doing a better job of keeping up on the blog, etc.:

1) I just finished the Mesa State Math and Science Summer Institute. Basically that means I have had 8 hours of class each day for the past two weeks followed by hours of homework. I have a new appreciation for you guys!

2) Jasmine turned 4 on August 1st. Planning and executing the birthday party were as difficult as the class!

Anyway, we are still on "moderation mode" with the blog until we can get a secure sign up sheet (when we get back into class), so just post your comments and I will pass them along each day. I know it takes most of the fun out of it, but at least we can still keep each other posted on what we are doing.

I hope everyone is having a great summer and is beginning to get just the tiniest bit excited about getting back to school. It took me until last week to get that little itch. Hopefully you all have it!

Oh, and you should have the #10's done by this Saturday.

Adios,

Cookie

Week Eight

Hey Guys,

It appears we have some people pirating the website. I'm not exactly sure how they found our site, but the comments are getting progressively worse. Definitely do not give out any personal information on the sight as I have no idea who these people are. It's sad that there are people like that out there.

Anyway, in the future I can get a list of registered users and we can block anybody from seeing the blog or making a comment that is not in our class, but I didn't foresee this. If for some reason I have to freeze the blog site just e-mail me when you complete your assignments.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer (it sounds like you are!). I have had a wonderful time overall and certainly have learned a lot in the classes I have been taking.

Let me know when you finish the #9's.

Cookie

Week Seveno

Hello All,

Yes, I am very late in setting up my Week Seven posting. You have to understand, though, that the Tour de France started on Saturday and it isn't going to just watch itself! It needs me there. Every moment. Plus, I started a new class with a rather sadistic teacher who thinks that homework is like dessert or something crazy like that! Anyway, I have had a very pressing schedule.

Oh, and guess who is in my class? Ms. Brumback. Who's that you ask? Your new science teacher. While I can't give her my complete approval as she doesn't own a road bike (just a mountain bike), I know you will all like her. She's an MGMS/PHS graduate and was teaching at the high school in Rifle before coming here. It looks like she will also be coaching basketball and volleyball, and I hear she is quite a soccer player.

You will be happy to know, though, that I have been riding by most of your houses a couple of times a week (but probably way too early for you to be up) and thinking of the good ol' days when everyone got up and was working before 7 a.m. Ahhh...

Remember that all of the #8's are due by this Saturday.

Okay, back to my homework. Watch the Tour. It's on Versus. Team Discovery needs your help.

Cookie

p.s. George Hincapie is currently in 4th place!
p.p.s. The Tour. Watch it.

Week Six

Wow! Time is slipping by so fast this summer. Sorry for the late post. I am rushing to get to a lunch appointment on time, so I won't be able to respond to all of the individual comments, but I did read them all.

I hope everyone has a terrific 4th of July. I haven't determined whether I'm going to the Fruita fireworks on the 3rd, or the GJ ones on the 4th, but I hope to see familiar faces wherever I go!

Oh, and #7's are due by this Saturday, so keep plodding away on the math!

Adios,

Mr. Cookie

Week Five

Hello Everyone!

Like most of you, I have been crazy busy lately. I was fortunate enough to miss Country Jam, but I made up for it with a few long bike rides and a great escape to Ouray. Has anyone been to the mining tour there (the Bachelor/Syracuse mine)? It is so cool! You actually ride a tram 1800' back into the mountain and listen to the tour there.

I'm back into classes so I won't be able to respond as easily this next week, but I do want everyone to know that I have read your comments and done a lot of laughing along the way. It's good to see that our big family hasn't changed.

Anyway, we actually had a pretty high participation this week. I heard from a lot of people via my e-mail. We'll need to find an easier blog site next year as many people are having trouble signing in each time.

Okay, so, your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to do the #6's from each page.

Have fun, and keep in touch.

Cookie

Mathletes of the World, Unite! - Week Four

Hello All,

We did pretty well this past week. Would someone let me know where the following people are:

CJ
Meet Virginia
Cole
Matt
Tyler
Ryun
James

No doubt they are off enjoying their summer in some tropical paradise, but in the off chance they are just slacking, let them know to check in.

If you didn't track the whole blog last week, you need to check our class' new homepage:

www.geocities.com/darrenacook

There are plenty of links, a listing of the current assignment, and some challenge problems you can do for extra credit. I'll have an aide keep it current next year so you can stay informed about homework assignments, etc.

This next week I am off to Denver for a conference on the politics of education (it's sure to be mind numbing) so I may not check in as often. Moa, please tell your parents that I would have been happy to help your family move if I didn't have previous obligations. :-) Honestly, I'm sure your excited to not have such a commute each day. Plus, Palisade is a wonderful town.

Oh, and speaking of slackers, you guys need to get your reading done and start participating on OB1's blog. We have some good debates going there, and you're missing out. If you don't have the address it's:

mgmsh7.blogspot.com

Have a great week, guys. Keep me informed of what's going on in your life, and I will do the same.

Cookie

p.s. Tux - I don't even know what to say about your dream. I would never make you choose between your two great loves: math and softball.

Homework Fun - Week Threeo

Hi Guys,

I hope I didn't throw anyone with my "Spanglish" title. In English it would read "Homework Fun - Week Three." Just to bring everyone up to date with my happenings, my internet is down at home so I have to walk BLOCKS to the public library just to get my e-mail. Man, will I ever have a story to tell my kids... Anyway, I am scheduled to have Qwest come and install internet service this next Thursday (thanks for the suggestion German).

I did finish the GT class last week, so expect a high level of instruction this next year. In fact, it is going to approach perfection. Just wait. You'll see. :)

On a more serious note, we only had about 50% participation this past week so if you happen to see (or e-mail) other students in the class, remind them to log on and tell me they are continuing to progress on their homework.

Goodbyeo Studentos,

Mr. Cookie

Week Two Homework Fun!

Hello Everyone!

It's time to start a new thread as we are ready to begin the next assignment (problem #3 from all the assignments). The biggest problems I have heard about have been to do with solving systems of linear equations using the substitution method, so here is an example for everyone:

2x + 3y = 11
3x + y = 6

In the substitution method you need to isolate one of the variables in one of the equations. In this system, it would be easiest to isolate the "y" in the second equation by subtracting "3x" from both sides making it:

y=-3x + 6

Then, in the first equation, substitute (hence the name, the substitution method) in a "-3x+ 6" everywhere you see a "y". The first equation should now read:

2x + 3(-3x+6) = 11

Using the distributive property:

2x + -9x + 18 = 11

Simplify:

-7x + 18 = 11

Subtract 18 from both sides:

-7x = -7

Divide by negative 7 on both sides

x=1

Now substitue 1 for x in either equation (I'll choose the second one):

3(1) + y = 6

or

3 + y = 6

Subtract three from both sides:

y = 3

So the solution, by using the substitution method, is x=1 and y=3 or the point (1,3).

I hope that helps. Call me if you need me to walk you through another problem.

I finally got my bike rack installed and got a swing set for the girls in the back yard thinking that would give them something to do... Jasmine is convinced she is too young to swing on her own and needs pushed each time. I have totally failed at teaching her how to swing on her own. In my own defense, she is a pretty resistant student.

Goodbyeo Studentos,

Mr. Cookie

Week One Finale

Hey Guys,

Here's who I show still not checking in for this week:

Abbs
CJ
Meet Virginia
Cole
H Squared
Orion
Averio
Matt
Tyler
Ryun
James
Nikka

Remember to make your comments in the newest posting. I have stopped looking back in the older ones. Plus, as Liberty mentioned, it's a little tedious scrolling all the way down. However, on my mom's computer it saves your spot. I'm not sure why.

Anyway, Lexi and I went to Cinderella at the Cabaret last night. She was in Heaven. She got a picture with Cinderella and Prince Charming and only had to cover her eyes once (when they were kissing). I'll try to scan the picture and post it later.

For those of you who have read The Giver, it mentions that Rosemary is The Giver's daughter and it alludes that Gabriel and Jonas are possibly brothers (based on the fact they all have pale eyes). I wondered if they are all related? Also, what did you think of the parents' reaction when Jonas asked them if they loved him? One last one, how do you feel about some people having the power to lie in that society (specifically about release)? Is it better not to know sometimes? Do you think people in a position of power over you (i.e. your parents, your teachers, etc.) lied to you, but rationalized that it was for your own good? Remember in the Matrix when the guy said he wished he had never taken the pill to pull him out of the matrix? So, is ignorance bliss, or is it better to know the truth? I love novels that make you think!

I'm switching cable and internet providers, so I will be in and out of contact until the 6th of June. If you post a comment and don't get a response, give me a call.

Mr. Cookie

5/25/07 Update - Still Week One

Hey Guys,

Well, today I'm officially finished with school. It was a little sad saying goodbye to all the teachers and watching the people come in to rip out the carpet. I guess we are going to have yellow tile on one side of the hall and green on the other with a white stripe down the middle to remind us all which side of the hall to walk on. German, what is your take on the merits of green, yellow, white, and red as colors to decorate the school?

Because of all the negative comments about the plainness of my room, I am planning on painting one of my walls another color and adding some posters (still cycling, sorry). I also have to finish a grant proposal by next week to get some more equipment for the room so I will be busy.

I already miss you guys, especially the 8th graders I see logging on the blog because I know I won't have them next year. Make sure you include your e-mail address in your profile so I can say hello throughout the summer and next year.

I rode up the Monument today after I got off work and someone honked at me and almost ran me over. I don't know for sure, but I suspect it was the O'Banion's clan or maybe Olevia Shafer's mom. Hard to say.

Anyway, thanks for the occasional math comment (although the other comments are very amusing - it was big of you, Maddie, to admit you were lying). To answer your question on the (8a-4a^2)-(7a^3-a) you DO NOT use the FOIL method, that is only for multiplying binomials, not adding or subtracting. Just add the opposite of everything inside the parentheses (using the distributive property) and then collect like terms. So it would be 8a - 4a^2 - 7a^3+a which then simplifies to -7a^3-4a^2+9a when you put them in order from highest to lowest degree (the only like terms were the a's).

Anyway, I show two people having done the Week One assignment so far (all the problem #2's) - Maddie and Neigh. You still have a week left, so good job! I will be busy tomorrow installing a new bike rack (a birthday present from me to me) and then doing some riding. Please tell the O'Banion's and Shafer's to stop scaring me.

Mr. Cookie

Introduction and Week 1

Hi,

I hope your summer is going well! I know by this time you must already be getting bored, so check in and let me know when you finish your first set of problems. Remember, we did the first set of problems during class, so just do problem #2 from each worksheet by June 2, 2007. REMEMBER, YOU MUST SHOW ALL OF YOUR WORK.

Let me know how you are doing both on your assignment and in your life. If you have any questions list them on the blog and either one of your classmates or I will get back to you with suggestions.

Remember, if we have more than 90% average weekly participation we will start the year with a pizza party and a movie of your choice (PGish).

Mr. Cookie