I Won Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorable Mention!

Ok, I realize I am two days late with this, but Monday was a rough day and American Idol was on last night so surely you can't expect it to be done during all that. Anyway, I thought this was an appropriate title because it not only describes Lauren Snapp, who has won all these awards, but it also summarizes my life as well. We are into our fourth week now, and it seems like our fourth day. I don't know if I've ever had two classes at the same time as good as these (1st and 3rd). I'm generally already burnt out by this point in the semester, but every day has been fun thus far. Hopefully that will continue. So, whether you realize it or not, we actually have done quite a bit of stuff thus far. What do you guys think about the first four weeks of class? Has it been what you expected? Is it better or worse than expected? What am I doing right so far? In what areas do I need to improve (I know my ADD, but anything else)? What about the activities and the little life lessons I mix in every now and then? Have any of them meant anything to you or am I just wasting my time? Be honest. I like constructive criticism.
I hope some of you will take, or have taken, the time to watch a little bit of the State of the Union address. I think it is important that we view issues from all angles (think koala bear), whether we agree or disagree with the President. How do you think President Obama has done thus far? After viewing his address, what do you think his goals are for the upcoming year? Are they realistic goals or are they "pie in the sky" type stuff? I really would like to take a day and discuss some of this stuff in class (if I can get Dylan off Seth's lap long enough). I guess I'll wait and see how the responses turn out, (and see if I can get Niya to stay awake two days in a row), before I make that commitment. Well, surely I have given you enough to discuss over the next couple of days. I'll try and check for posts as quick as I can and get them approved so you can respond to each other.

You stay classy Ramseytopia,

Czar Ramsey out!!

Blah, Blah, Blog...

Well it's a new year and it's finally time for my first blog of the new school year. All my classes seem to be pretty good and I have enjoyed having you all thus far. So what has stood out to you so far in this class? Have there been any discussions or activities that really interested you? What about the 9/11 activity on Friday? Did you think the debate was worth the time or was it just pointless? I felt like a lot of good discussion took place. I was actually proud of the way you all handled yourselves, I almost thought some of you were actually adults for a moment (Peter, Antonio, Allison, etc...) . Heck, we even got Matt Cruise to get his head off of his desk for more than five minutes on Friday (we weren't so lucky on Monday). I liked Joel's article on terrorism and it turned out to be a point of discussion in all my other classes. I will post a link to it when he emails it to me, if that ever happens. It was fairly quite during discussions in 3rd period Monday, but I'm not sure if that's because it was Monday or the fact that Meaghen was absent. I did lecture so well in 3rd that Cris Cox got a nose bleed. I crammed so much information into his brain and he learned so much that it overwhelmed him. Heck, it was so awesome that I even had Dr. Love begging everyone to be quite so he could hear me lecture. That's how real teachers do it.

Czar Ramsey out!!

More to come!

Ok, so maybe I'm taking the easy way out but it's 10:49 and I am too tired to do my complete post tonight. I'll get you all started by asking what you thought of the videos? I, for one, was really pleased with the time and effort you all put into this project. What were some of your favorite moments from the videos? I have a whole bunch of quotes and other tidbits to put on here but I'm not going to take the time to do it all tonight. I guess I'll leave it at this for now, but I will be back with further updates tomorrow!

Czar Ramsey out!

Economics Changed My Life!

Alright 2nd block, my other classes have done a pretty good job so far responding to the blog so I hope you can do the same. So how has class been going so far? We've done a couple of different things thus far and I hope you have learned something from them. What do you think about Sim City so far? We've played it twice and will play it for a third time tomorrow. Do you see the relevance of this simulation to Economics? It really does incorporate many of the concepts we discuss in class within the simulation. If you don't see the relevance now, hopefully you will by the end of the nine weeks. Well, I don't have much else for today so I'll keep it short for today. You stay classy 2nd period! By the way, I can see why Coach Overbay hated to give up this class; you all are a great class!

Czar Ramsey out!

I am not self-centered, I am just awesome!

I have had a few accusations the past week and a half of being self centered. This is the farthest thing from the truth, and if I know one thing it is the truth. I don't know if I have told a lie my entire life, so the truth just comes naturally to me. Anyway, how has the first week and a half of class been thus far? I am excited about all three of my classes this semester and I hope you all feel the same. What do you think about the activities we have done so far (Lost, koala bear, ketchup on a spoon, etc...)? Have you learned anything from this or has it been a complete waste of time? How did people not caring or participating in the LOST game make you feel? It can be frustrating when you care about something and no one else does. I hope you see the value of order and organization and the need for government. If this doesn't prove my point then I don't know what will! Well, I will leave it short today and I will close with a couple of quotes from the game!

Czar Ramsey out!!!



Quotes:

• "How you gonna make fire with a flashlight?" - someone in first block
• "Good God, thank you Eleanor!" - someone in first block apparently mistaking Eleanor for God
• "with syrup you can just rub it on your neck..." - thanks for the insight in 1st block
• "Suck it up and have a better immune system!" - I think Cody in 1st said this
• "Raise your hand if you love TuPac"
• "SHUT UP!!!! I raised my HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND!" -Jill
• "can I phone a friend?"
• "Cover yourself in maple syrup and stab a squirrel." - Jeremy's plan for food!
• "We just built a telephone to call you so give us the answers"

The Jerk

Well, we will give this a try again. I really don't know why I didn't do this last nine weeks but I'll attempt it with you guys. If this is the most homework you guys receive you really shouldn't have any complaints. So, we are through with our first week of class. How do you think it is going so far? My first period claims that I am a jerk but I don't think that's the case. We took a couple of days to play the survival game last week. Do you see the significance of that activity as it relates to our class? What are some things you learned or at least thought about pertaining to government through this game? Was it a complete waste of time? I hope I have made my point regarding the importance of government through this activity. Anyway, I look forward to a great nine weeks and I look forward to hearing from you all.

Czar out!

P.S. Some of my favorite quotes from the past week!

• "We should do this activity outside to make it more realistic" -Moses Greene
• "...at least our pockets will be purified" - not sure who said it!
• "Who is the weakest link, they have to be up front?" -Andrea Keesecker laying down the law in first period
• "Let's just get drunk and catch stuff on fire!" -someone from 2nd block coming up with ideas for the rum and the matches.
• "Bear Grilles dug a hole...in the snow!" -another 2nd block quote
• "Raise your hand if you love Jesus!" -Damien Goforth trying to get people to vote with him. It was pretty slick.
• "We need to ditch the matches and just snuggle." -a suggestion from someone in 3rd block.
• "It's only a fifth....and I'm not sharing!" -not sure who, but third block once again.
• "I'm trying to get point....I'm just making noise!" -at least Michelle Bunting is honest!
• "Do fish come to maple syrup?" -a mind boggling question from my 3rd block, I think it was Taylor Pruitt.
• "Start a giant forest fire...people will come." -Brandon Marquis' suggestion for getting rescued.
• "What are we going to do with a razor, shave a bear?" -3rd block, unknown.
• "They aren't Jesus snowshoes...you can't walk on water." -a nice observation from someone in 3rd block.

Better Late Than Never!!!

I am sure I am going to hear about this on Monday. I'm sorry I didn't get this posted sooner, I haven't been feeling good this weekend. Anyway, I guess I'll give you till Wednesday to respond. I have like 22 comments to moderate so don't freak out if you don't see your comment yet. Ok, well I really enjoyed class on Friday! I thought all three of my classes did an excellent job. Zach even asked a good question for once!! I thought 3rd block turned out to be very good, with Rena taking over the teaching duties for the period. I thought she did an excellent job and handled herself extremely well considering the tough questions that were asked of her. I found it extremely interesting to hear things from her unique perspective. That is exactly the type of thing I want going on in my classroom and is a perfect example of what I talked about on the 2nd day of school regarding open-mindedness. What was your take on class for Thursday and Friday? What did you think of the video? What about the discussions that resulted? Anyone want to share their hope for 50 years from now? How would the 40 passengers of Flight 93 want us to respond to our current situation? Do we owe those 40 passengers anything or do we simply accept their sacrifice and move on? Do the Vols have any shot against Florida this weekend? Check out the poll for more on that!! See you all tomorrow!

Czar out!

Obama or McCain

I didn't remind you guys in class today (2nd Block) to respond to the blog. Even though I did mention it in class on Thursday, I will give you until Tuesday to respond. I thought you all did a fantastic job debating in class today. You conducted yourselves like adults, probably more so than many of our politicians. I think these types of discussions are extremely important, even if you don't agree with everything that is being said. Just because we disagree about an issue, we don't have the right to treat each other like trash. I think that is a big problem in government today, this whole us versus them phenomenon that seems to be growing stronger and stronger. In the end, like both Obama and McCain stated, we all fly under the same flag. That being said, how do you all feel about the discussion today? Did anything discussed particullarly interest you? Are there any topics you wanted to talk about that we missed? Once again, let me say that I am extremely proud of how you conducted yourselves today, and that makes me much more likely to try fun and informative things in the future. Until next time, you stay classy Science Hill!

Czar Ramsey out!

Rocky Top, You'll Always Be.....

Alright, so football season is right around the corner. Let me go ahead and predict that the Vols will go 15-0 this season and win the national championship. I am not worried about the overhyped Florida Gator's quarterback one bit. Speaking of hype, a lot of it has been going on this week regarding the race for the Presidency. The field is set and it's going to be a slugfest until November. So how do you all feel about the Presidential nominees? I know we have known who the participants will be for a while, but it seems like the race turned up a notch this past week. Any reaction to the Vice Presidential candidates? Did either candidate seperate himself from the other in your mind this week. If you don't have any idea, go to a major news site and read an article or two from this past week. I'm sure you will get caught up in a hurry. Anyway, I hope everything went well with the sub on Friday and I will see you all on Tuesday. Enjoy your long weekend and GO VOLS!

Czar Ramsey out!

Welcome 2 Sim City

Alright! You guys got to try out Sim City today. This is the first time I have been able to try this in the classroom so I am anxious to see how it goes. Hopefully by the end of this nine weeks, you will see the merit of this simulation. What did you all think of the activity so far? Do you see the relevance of this simulation to what we are studying? If you don't see a connection right now, I think you will eventually. I know we didn't get a whole lot of time today, but we should be able to dive right into it next week. I am anxious to see how you all do. Changing the subject just a bit, how do you think class is going thus far? Do you have any suggestions of things I could be doing or subjects you would like me to teach? I appreciate any feedback you all are willing to give. Well, I guess I will leave it at this for now. Until next time, you stay classy Science Hill!

Czar Ramsey out