College Panel

Tomorrow, the Dream Team. Have questions on the brain so we don't hear crickets. Xoxo

It's A Wrap

...a wrap party that is.  If you're interested, we will be having a wrapping party Thursday at lunch in my class.  Period 3 people can wrap their White Elephant gifts and leave them overnight.  Others of you can bring in items to wrap for your Secret Not Santa.  Totally optional.  You will need to bring in your own supplies as I won't have enough for everybody.  Let me know...

Tomorrow we will watch a TED Talk.  Thursday is the College Panel and Friday is JOY INCARNATE.

Multiple Choice tests due tomorrow.

xoxo

Writing and Inventing

So, on Wednesday have your multiple choice tests ready for submission.  Use the link HERE and HERE for assistance.  You will have all of tomorrow in class to get 'er done.

Weekly Schedule:
Mon/Tues:  MC
Wed:  TED Talk
Thursday:  College Panel featuring Awesome
Friday:  Stuff About Stuff (including food)

xoxo

Stuff About Stuff

Have good stuff to share.
Seriously.
Boyd says hi.

Xoxo

Logic Fallacies

So we watched two videos and got introduced to ten different types of logic fallacies.  (Forgive me if I call them logical fallacies - that sounds better in my brain.)  Below you will find the web addresses to the two videos.  I can't link them because youtube is blocked.  So, cut and paste, baby.

Video 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIb2Jb-KC8
Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiUrSFAIktY
You were also assigned a number so find a real life example of your fallacy.  In addition, create an original example and have fun with it.

In other news, my boyfriend Boyd Varty says ubuntu.

xoxo

p.s. - the RSA short I showed is called The Power of Empathy.

Crushing Hard

Seriously.  I really liked the two TED Talks today.  They showed me a lot, and I hope you as well.  Also, I just did some planning for tomorrow and you're not going to want to miss it.  Who knew English class could be like this???  Come ready with your work and please show up.  See y'all then.

xoxo

Premises of Argument

Since we reviewed the 10 premises of argument, use them to complete your respective assignments.  They will be due on Wednesday so be willing and able to share.

In other news, TED Talk tomorrow and Brain Drain on Thursday.

xoxo

Weekend L.O. for Period 3

Hi there everyone.  Read on if you're in period 3.  If you're not, then you can stop now or proceed due to curiosity....I guess you could do the assignment too if you wanted...

Here's the weekend L.O. that I am expecting on Monday.  As much as I would love to give a meaningless assignment that just wastes time, I feel that is too similar to what you already do - work that is simply a time suck.  So instead, I would like you to write on the following prompt that ties in closely with the issue of truth and trust:

What is a relationship?  What kind of relationship do you believe you and I have, not only as student and teacher, but as fellow human beings?  What can I do to foster a more solid connection with you?

Instead of handwriting this, please type up your essay.  If you do not have access to a printer, feel free to email it to me at ybeltran@sandi.net.

Thank you and have a great weekend.

xoxo

Mandela

Nelson Mandela was just about as heroic as heroic gets. I hope you know his story, and if you don't, that you will take a break from all that important homework and learn it.

Xoxo

An Ode to Food

Comida, not only is your jacket rockstar status but your brain is too. And all of you who showed up today did well. Here's hoping everyone is present tomorrow. Timed Write is on the agenda then Stuff about Stuff on Friday. Build up memory.

As I told period 7 today, get your heart broken consistently. It's in the gaps where we grow and learn. Trust. Be vulnerable. Why not?

And to whoever got my name as their not Secret Mysterious Winter Figure in period 6, my card was full of fake answers. While I appreciate many things, Elmo and vintage mariachi music is not among them. Sorry.

Xoxo

TED

TED Talk was interesting. Period 6, it's called Poverty, Money and Love by Jessica Jackley. Excited for tomorrow's debate. See y'all then. Xoxo

Holiday Wish List

First off, how lame that I haven't posted in forever. Oops. Secondly, fun seeing you again. Honestly. I am lucky to teach you. Now for the good stuff: my holiday list. Feel free to give me the following:

1.  A Starbucks gift card at $5. So take that money and buy a Subway lunch combo and give it to someone who is hungrier than me.  Snap a photo and email it to me.

2.  A book at the bookstore costs about $15.95 then with tax let's call it $20. So take that and head to Von's and buy bread, peanut butter and jelly. Make 12 sandwiches, drive down to the park and hand them out. Snap a photo and email it to me.

3.  I love scarves so take the money for one and invest it in a nice money market fund and allow compound interest to become your best friend.

4.  I have two little kids who idolize their mommy's students. So the next time you see us, get down to their level, smile, and say hi. Priceless.

5.  And last but not least, I am a mom and I know how tough it is to be a good one. So if you have a parent figure in your life, hug them for real and don't ask for anything in return. Just say , "I love you."

I literally have everything I need.

Prepare yourself for the debate Wednesday. Email with questions.

Xoxo

#Beltran#7thPeriod

Dear APES,

If you are reading this and you are not in 7th period, please bring a quote regarding the rise of consumer consumption of organic potatoes.  You don't have to type it - just jot it down.

If you are in 7th period, bring your crafts.  The question is to debate or not to debate.  And the answer is...............assembly tomorrow.  Majority rules.  See ya in the PAC.  Debate for periods 6 and 7 will be on Thursday.

xoxo

TUCKER RULES.

Argument

FIVE DAYS UNTIL BREAK!!!  Woot woot.

Sorry.  Here's the scoop:

Today in class you were presented with the video debate between William Lane Craig and Sam Harris at The University of Notre Dame (you can find it on youtube to watch the whole thing).  Your job is to watch the debate - as little or as much of it as you choose - and come to class Wednesday with your position.  Do you defend, challenge of qualify the topic:  "Are the foundations of moral values natural or supernatural?"  In other words. "Does good come from God?".  

Your job is to gather evidence to support your position and be prepared to argue your views in class.

****PLEASE NOTE that I am NOT participating in the debate, and my personal views WILL NOT BE SHARED.  I'm simply the facilitator of the argument.

Remember that you should support your position with appropriate evidence from your
1) reading,
2) observations,
3) or experience.

Divorce emotion from this and lead with a cool, calm, collected mind.  Maintain your credibility and support your case.

EXCITED!!!!

xoxo

P.S. - TED Talks tomorrow as usual but I'll show a couple to help your brain

New Brain Drain Categories

I'll be out tomorrow, lovelies, and you know why.  :)

So, enjoy the TED Talk and some time to independently read if you want to feed your brain...

For Wednesday, prepare yourself for another round of Brain Drain.  New categories in addition to the old ones from last week are below:

Book Titles That Start with M
Supreme Court Justices (Past and Present)
Major Magazine Publications

Just a few to add.  Have a great afternoon, day, moment, life!
xoxo

Second Period

It's amazing to me how awesome second period did today. So impressive, and a need to publicly write that so everyone can see.  Good for you. Special shout out to CL who is rockin' and rollin' despite a booted foot.  Thanks for such a great job...

Reminder that you should positively impact the world and tweet out some of the brain food we digested today. Use every Friday to combat the ridiculousness that is out there.

Enjoy your weekend and I'll see ya Monday.

Xoxo

Brain Drain Was So Much Fun

Gosh that was fun.  Period 4 takes the cake for the longest going round.  Category:  books.  It lasted for almost ten minutes with 9 people representing their teams. Thanks for the enthusiasm and preparedness.  Granted some of you were more prepared than others but...

Enjoy your night.  Be safe if you're going out, and remember that tomorrow you are expected to have Stuff About Stuff to share.

See ya then...
xoxo

Brain Drain Tomorrow

Be ready to be given teams and to compete tomorrow.  The 15 categories I've given you will also be interlaced with some fun categories too.  Come ready to play.  :)

xoxo

The Danger of a Single Story

I hope y'all enjoyed the videos today - all very timely, insightful, and needed. I particularly love Chimamanda Adiche's talk on the danger of a single story. It is our jobs as human beings to see multiple perspectives, to educate ourselves against the "flattened experience" and to be out of our circle thingys so we can realize that we are all more alike than different. It's a good lesson to remember.  And as I was taught today, sometimes all it takes is one person to stand up and say, "enough".

What we used to whisper in the back of class is now being typed online. We edit ourselves and present a facade to the world in the name of connection. Use your social media for good. I'm @yrbeltran. Just sayin'.

See you tomorrow for MC#1.

Xoxo

Brain Drain Game 1

Brain Drain Game #1 will be next Thursday.  Be ready and don't forget, period 2, that I added a 15th category:  U.S. Presidents.  Also, tomorrow be READy with quality Stuff about Stuff.  Don't feed my brain junk food - because as good as it is, it sure ain't gonna last.

xoxo

For My Potatoes

Brain

Drain

Tomorrow.

You don't even know.

xoxo

Maybe I'm A Little Afraid of Being Wrong

Why hello there.  Where the heck have you been?  Sorry I've been absent for so long - nothing much to say so....Just reading through your letters and I am finding a common refrain - fear, afraid, scared, worried, what if I'm wrong?  I get it.  So here's the tightrope walking between parenthood and teacher status - love is the same no matter what.  I get disappointed, angry, frustrated, upset with my IRL (in real life) kids but I always love them.  Same goes for you.  Mama love is fierce, and I have the distinct advantage of knowing so.  If you mess up, do something "wrong", have bad manners, etc., I will call you out for that and pause...pause to remind myself of the beauty you are all you have to offer.  Pause to remind myself you are JUST KIDS and I am the adult here - stuck in between all the ages I've ever been (zero to 37).  But let's get real...you have to get over your fear.  Know you are loved no matter what but that isn't an excuse to lose your mind, take from others without contributing anything. Walk into your fear, your wrongness, your I'm not smart like they are.  You're not.  So learn.  Read.  Become better.  I dare you.

"The rhythms of life provide consistency; the best ones also offer connection." ~Kim John Payne

L.O. - Pick a word.  Write on it.

xoxo

Weekend L.O.

Hi, lovelies -

Thanks for your efforts at recasting today.  Go get the books I mentioned if you can.  It's worth it.  For this weekend, practice your precis writing with THIS article.  Read it, annotate it, laugh, and then write a precis.

Y'all have a great weekend!!
xoxo

Ramblings

So, tomorrow we will recast some sentences with last week's timed write. Come prepared to think...over the weekend, your L.O. will be to write a précis on an article I'll announce in class. See y'all tomorrow. Xoxo

And to my seniors who still read the blog (my lunch bunch, my original tot, my wizard rocker, my guitar teacher, burrito buddy, juice box sipper, etc.), here's my Personal Statement:

I'm a reformed hugger. What I mean by that is this: I didn't use to like, appreciate or even want hugs. I was strong, protected by armor, and kept my peeps at arm's length. Literally. Then last year happened - a randomly generated schedule that placed some of your paths in my orbit.  A couple of you appeared at lunch within the first week.  You sat on the other side of the room, I sat behind my desk.  Then some more of you appeared, like the weird dots before your eyes when you get up too fast.  You two crossed the room at the end of 4th period and parked yourselves a smidge closer to me.

And before I knew it, you were always there.

And I liked it.

Now I love it, and my heart quivers at the thought of you not being there next year. How did this happen?  How did you inch into my heart and make lunch THE best time of the day?  Why do I naturally cut my burritos in half and wait for the "Beltraaaaaaaan" at the door?  Why do I love the non Poli Sci days and the times when Calc class is just cancelled?  Well, here it is.  Because I love you.

A love that isn't capitalized or bolded.  Just one that's covering me in stretchmarks.

L.O.

Pds. 2, 4, and 6 - Have your boxes.
Pd. 3 - Shark Tank it up
Pd. 7 - I'm good at...

Excited for tomorrow.  Have the precis on The Ugly Truth About Beauty by Thursday.

xoxo

Rhetorical Precis

For your L.O., reread and annotate "The Ugly Truth About Beauty" by Dave Barry.  Come to class on Wednesday with your notes and a copy of the article.  If you can't print it, email me before 3pm tomorrow.  Write your best attempt at a precis following the format we reviewed in class.

xoxo

Open House

Tonight is Open House.  Fun.  I'm excited to meet the other important people in your lives.

As a heads up for tomorrow, we will be embracing Timed Write #2.  (Insert woot woot)  So, come to class ON TIME, with a dark blue pen, and notebook paper.  I'll hand you the prompt at the door and you can write right away.  Your work will be due at the end of class, and I'll start grading them this weekend.

xoxo

Hope You Read The Blog!

So, here's the deal...to see if you are reading this here bloggity blog - have a printed out copy of Drew Dudley's TED Talk transcript with you in class tomorrow.  Super necessary.  You'll feel weird without it.

Think tonight about his arrangement and style - what rhetorical devices/strategies did he use and WHY???  Come to class prepared.  And those of you who weren't prepared today (cough cough, class period ___ and kiddos in period ___ who had to leave), SHOW UP TOMORROW.  I'M USING ALL CAPS.  IT MUST BE SERIOUS.

xoxo

I love potatoes.

To You

Dear You,
I saw your little brother today, literally yelled him name as he walked down Newport, and his sweet smile made me think of you. Such a reminder of who I used to be in my high school days - fulfilling a role I thought I had to play, hanging on to people and friendships because it was what I did - a "creature of habit".

As I raise my own two little warriors in a world saturated with a lot of opinions and not enough thought, I think of how I feel like a mother to you as well.  Wanting to protect, love, nurture, guide, and teach.

But at the end of the day, you're going to be just fine.  Authentic, vulnerable, and covered, my friend, in stretch marks.

Adore you.

Xoxo,
Beltran

AND TO MY APES:  what are you doing this weekend?  Figuring out what types of sentences are out there? Reading the new issue of Time - delish, by the way?  Drinking sweet tea and saving hummingbirds? (I heart you Little Sid e.e. Sunhillow). Reading?  Writing?  Dancing?  I'll see y'all soon and we will just keep on learning.

Wow

Wow to infinity for what you brought today. Good, very good.

Tomorrow we will feed our brains even more so come ready.

PERIODS 6&7:  we have the opportunity to attend some spoken word poetry in the PAC. Meet me there ASAP. Check in and make sure I see you for attendance.

Xoxo

Big shout outs to M, F, R, and T in period 6, A in period 4, All of period 2 and my little potatoes in period 7. Kinda just falling in love more and more each day.

Tomorrow...

...tomorrow have something to say, y'all. Don't just say something. Consider the 5 canons and keep conscious, mindful, thoughtful choices at the forefront of your mind. Remember Harriet Rubin's quote. #unleash

Xoxo

Giving an A

That Benjamin Zander!  Your letters are amazing. Period 7, I'll clue you in Monday since we were in the PAC. Enjoy figuring out how to "bring it" for this weekend's L.O.  Email me with questions. Again, period 7, no need to worry. I'll show you Monday. And you, too, Sergio, since you were presenting. Good job, by the way.  :)

See y'all next week. Have a great weekend.
Xoxo

P.S. - Holden and Madi S., your letters made me laugh out loud!  Yours too, NM.

READ

READREADREADREADREADREADREADREADREADREADREADREADREADREAD.

AP all day, everyday

Hey there APEs. Although the class make up is changing a bit to accommodate the 36 cap, some of y'all are still bringing it no matter what. It's all invented, this world of measurement, so why not connect 9 dots and give you an "A". I'm supposed to be reading your essays and all I want to do is eat ice cream and go to sleep. Ahhhhh!  Tomorrow we will discuss what you did with the 2010 prompt. I'll give you some ways to ease into writing the AP way and we will see what happens.

Shout outs to the class pet Bunty (period 7!) and to the headband wearing FS who I thought I lost. So sad.  And to C, E, I, D and the rest of you who dominated the 9 dots.

See y'all tomorrow.
Xoxo

P.S. - nice job on the teacher track meet, A.  It was fun. :)

Today

Today, in a word?  Tightrope.  Just thought I'd share.

Today, for the TED Talk?  Delicious.

Your L.O.?  Explore, rewatch, consume, prepare. Come tomorrow ready to chat.

Xoxo

To the clappers

You know who I'm talking to!  What a great day of presentations and nerdfighters and shades of meaning. We even got JM to smile!  I saw it. And my apologies to Mr. Irby. That hashtag has got to get rolling. #irby looks waaaay better.

Tomorrow (after my heart breaks a little in the morning), we will consume just the most stupendous TED Talk. Fasten your seat belts...(allusion to a a great movie and actress...any guesses?)

Period 7, sigh.

And R and T...Cal Poly Nerds unite.

Could I possibly be more vague?

To Japan, to those mini in stature but magnificent in depth, to lightbulbs, to giraffes, to casting spells, only ten days and being so over the moon.

Xoxo

And if you read this, wear red tomorrow. Just saying...

Friday the 13th

What a day...connotation, shades of meaning, paint cards and freak outs. Just show up on Monday. No shame.

Xoxo

P.S. - #urby. Seriously!

Snapshots

I've never been really good at taking pictures.  My husband or my sister always seem to get the best shots so they usually take on that role at family functions or gatherings.  But I've come to find that I'm pretty good at shots of candid moments - when your head is thrown back in real laughter, when you're engrossed in a book, when you don't know anyone is watching. These snapshots are a moment in time, and just like time, they arise, abide, and dissolve.  My mind is on those of you whose schedules will be changed due to class sizes needing to be at 36. What goes into deciding who gets to stay?  Or move to another section?  Or leave to American Literature?

Because I stopped today on my way to my car, I know the answer to those questions.

All I can say is that a lot of things in life are like snapshots - just little glimpses into what was at one moment and is no longer. So a "bad" picture might just be a poor angle and a "good" picture might just be sweet lighting. No matter what, it's just a bit of who you REALLY are.

I know most of you won't understand what I'm trying to say, but just listen:  you are capable of greatness whether or not you're in my class. Period.

I HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW!
Xoxo,
Beltran

Friday is Almost Here

Thanks so much, little tater tots, for writing your hearts out today.  (I assume you did...I'll start reading tonight.)  It's always interesting to see what comes out of this first timed write.  We'll do a little learning with it on Monday so for tomorrow, come to class with an open mind.  :)

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few." ~ Shunryu Suzuki

xoxo

Timed Write Tomorrow

Be ready for a timed write tomorrow.  Have notebook paper and a dark blue pen.  No essays in pencil will be scored.

Today was fun (from my perspective) and I hope you learned a little something.  That good ol' rhetorical triangle is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Do any of you read this blog?  If you do, post a comment (I'll see them, no one else will.) I'd be interested in knowing...and be mindful of what you comment since I'll honestly read them.

xoxo

TED Talk Tuesday

So, we watched our first TED Talk - Brene Brown's "The Power of Vulnerability". Lots of goodies in that one. Create your rhetorical triangle, rewatch the video a thousand times, or at least once more, and come to class ready to discuss. You can find it at ted.com.

Period 3, feel free to watch it but I won't hold you to the same expectations as other classes since y'all had the assembly to attend.

My spirit animal is the pointer dog. No doubt. Energetic, loyal, intelligent, and enthusiastic about what they do. Whoa.

Also, in unrelated news, I ate the most glorious INO burger. It was delicious. Also, sweet bomb dropping, Ty.  :)

Monday, Monday

Grade level assembly - period 3.  Meet me there and check in.

We reviewed the Rhetorical Triangle today and I mentioned some blogs you should check out.

- www.happyolks.com
- www.aumroom.wordpress.com
- www.anniemurphypaul.com/blog
- www.freckledfaultyandfancyfree.blogspot.com

Prepare to have a book with you in class STARTING TOMORROW.  Email me if you need suggestions.

I'm loving what some of you are showing.  Stay off twitter.  Timed Write #1 on Thursday.  Have paper and a dark blue pen.  NO ESSAYS IN PENCIL ARE ACCEPTED.

xoxo

#trolling

I loved today but that's my conditioned state. And Twitter's getting interesting...thanks for class. See you Monday with your assignments.

Xoxo

Some of Y'all Brought It

Thank you for what you showed me today. One of you volunteered to switch schedules. I guess that leaves schedule changes up to chance. I hope to see all of you tomorrow....

Books I announced today are as follows:  Wild by Cheryl Strayed, The True Secret of Writing by Natalie Goldberg, How Children Succeed by Paul Tough and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Read them (or not). I recommend them.

Also, get a book to read by Monday - anything really. I just want to see you READING.

Tomorrow be ready to learn something fan-freakin'-tastic.

Xoxo

P.S.  I still love you, JV, ZR, MM, Tot Shaw, AC, DH, ML, MP, HK, EA, AB you fan girl you, I could go on and on and on...thanks for making lunch a time my heart sings. Xoxo

Six Word Memoir

You got your books today.  Fun.
I explained the 6 word memoir assignment.  Good.
Get yours ready and deliver it tomorrow.

I am so excited...I cannot wait.

xoxo

"I really hope they bring it."  ~ Beltran

Year 16

"The language we use creates our reality."

Here's to year 16 and some new APES...

xoxo

P.S. - homework for tonight...start thinking about who you want to be this year, in this class...six words to say it all.