I wish each of you a well deserved respite from school. I hope you and yours enjoy the time off and I look forward to seeing you refreshed in April.
I showed this video in a couple classes but didn't have the chance in all of them....If you're interested, it's a video of Coach A's players talking about his high expectations. Remember, if someone has high expectations for you, it's likely because they care.
Make sure you read knowing full well that if you don't, you are cheating yourself out of a wonderful experience.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Friday, March 24, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Character & Peer Editing
The video I showed at the beginning of class can be accessed here. Character is who you are when no one is looking. It is owning your culpability in situations. It is rooting on teammates, not tearing them down. Go UCONN.
In terms of peer editing, I hope you found the exercise useful. A prompt that asks for pros/cons and your position is golden. May we see that on the test in May!!! (And if you didn't read the model essay that I had you print out, you should.)
Be ready for SAS - Round 1 of this 6 weeks. AND READ East of Eden. The choice is yours. (And if you just missed what I did there, you definitely need to get reading.)
Love and Light,
Beltran
P.S. - for your listening pleasure...a song I love. "I'm Amazed" by My Morning Jacket (featuring Jim James from The New Basement Tapes)...
In terms of peer editing, I hope you found the exercise useful. A prompt that asks for pros/cons and your position is golden. May we see that on the test in May!!! (And if you didn't read the model essay that I had you print out, you should.)
Be ready for SAS - Round 1 of this 6 weeks. AND READ East of Eden. The choice is yours. (And if you just missed what I did there, you definitely need to get reading.)
Love and Light,
Beltran
P.S. - for your listening pleasure...a song I love. "I'm Amazed" by My Morning Jacket (featuring Jim James from The New Basement Tapes)...
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Timed Writes in Class and A Song
Thanks for writing today in class. I look forward to seeing what your minds created. FOR CLASS TOMORROW, have the model essay packet printed out - pages 3, 4, 5, and 11 ONLY.
As a heads up for the rest of the week, SAS is on Friday. Make sure you're being kind when it comes to helping everyone achieve success. I don't think looking out for just yourself and your grade is the way to be an "A" student in room 853.
Tomorrow we will be peer editing your essays from today so make sure you have a different color pen to use - purple, red, green, etc.
And for clarification on Interesting Stuff Journals, here's the deal in case you missed it: You are expected to write every day about something you find interesting. That doesn't mean you are writing about what happens to you that day. Though oftentimes your entries will overlap, this assignment is about being awake in the world. Noticing and paying attention. Your brain requires just as much nourishment as the rest of your body (and please, science peeps, I am not looking for a discussion about whether or not that is biologically correct). So write and create and make your Interesting Stuff journal into something Marina Keegan would admire. Make sure YOU DATE YOUR ENTRIES.
My entries from yesterday: "Lisa", "Conversation at Lunch", "Lyrics to Kansas City", "Teachers I've Worked With" and "Before I Forget". It's not rocket science. It just requires actually doing something outside of a class that requires your awareness, attention, and acumen.
Enjoy the day and all it affords,
Beltran
P.S. - You should be reading East of Eden. In fact, you should be finished right about now (especially since I told you in September to read the book...) Make sure you come back to class after Spring break with a text that is OWNED - marked up, post-it "noted", etc. You will need to prove you read to me...that means have the book actually read by MONDAY, APRIL 3rd.
P.P.S. - Check out "Drift Away"...
As a heads up for the rest of the week, SAS is on Friday. Make sure you're being kind when it comes to helping everyone achieve success. I don't think looking out for just yourself and your grade is the way to be an "A" student in room 853.
Tomorrow we will be peer editing your essays from today so make sure you have a different color pen to use - purple, red, green, etc.
And for clarification on Interesting Stuff Journals, here's the deal in case you missed it: You are expected to write every day about something you find interesting. That doesn't mean you are writing about what happens to you that day. Though oftentimes your entries will overlap, this assignment is about being awake in the world. Noticing and paying attention. Your brain requires just as much nourishment as the rest of your body (and please, science peeps, I am not looking for a discussion about whether or not that is biologically correct). So write and create and make your Interesting Stuff journal into something Marina Keegan would admire. Make sure YOU DATE YOUR ENTRIES.
My entries from yesterday: "Lisa", "Conversation at Lunch", "Lyrics to Kansas City", "Teachers I've Worked With" and "Before I Forget". It's not rocket science. It just requires actually doing something outside of a class that requires your awareness, attention, and acumen.
Enjoy the day and all it affords,
Beltran
P.S. - You should be reading East of Eden. In fact, you should be finished right about now (especially since I told you in September to read the book...) Make sure you come back to class after Spring break with a text that is OWNED - marked up, post-it "noted", etc. You will need to prove you read to me...that means have the book actually read by MONDAY, APRIL 3rd.
P.P.S. - Check out "Drift Away"...
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Model Essays Tomorrow
Make sure you have your model essays and notes for class tomorrow. Rewatch today's TED Talk by Dan Pallotta. "The Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong".
Enjoy your day and go listen to some of The New Basement Tapes. You won't regret it.
MARCUS MUMFORD.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Enjoy your day and go listen to some of The New Basement Tapes. You won't regret it.
MARCUS MUMFORD.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Monday, March 20, 2017
Model Essay
Happy Monday! Make sure that by Wednesday you have the ins and outs of the model essay understood. We will discuss briefly in class before writing a practice essay together.
Work on your journals, open your hands, open your minds and make the last 12 weeks you have in our class count.
Here's to truth and strength, Prince in a red hat, and love, love, love,
Beltran
Work on your journals, open your hands, open your minds and make the last 12 weeks you have in our class count.
Here's to truth and strength, Prince in a red hat, and love, love, love,
Beltran
Sunday, March 19, 2017
A Few Good Things and A Reminder that Broken People...
First off, Happy Sunday. I hope you all are enjoying the kind of day you deserve. One of my former students and I were just texting setting up a coffee date to catch up. She reminded me of a post I published on another site, and I thought I would share it here. Read if you'd like or not...
Secondly, did you see Maria Popova's weekly Brainpickings digest? Is she spying on our class?
And finally, grades aren't posted yet but they will be before the end of the night.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Monday, February 22, 2016
My Kind of Fashion
I'm not into name brands. In fact, I think less is more when it comes to fashion...do I really need to see your logo all up in my face? I like the classics - a guy in blue jeans and a white t-shirt always does me in...add a dimple or two and a guitar. Well...
I prefer the color black. I like solids instead of patterns, and I think a tasteful pair of diamond studs is utter perfection. And if I had to pick, platinum all the way. Come to think of it, the 4 c's in diamonds (cut, clarity, color and carat) are a pretty good standard for life.
Cut - Are you fashioned from quality that taught you the difference between right and wrong?
Clarity - Are you clear and transparent to others? No ulterior motives and angles?
Color - Are you radiating a pureness of light and love? Or are you cloaked in darkness - cloudy and muddled?
Carat - Are you a heavyweight in this world - making your time here on earth not only worth it for you but for others?
My kind of fashion is simple, direct and understated. My kind of people are too. The people closest to me aren't showy or braggy, duplicitous or underhanded. That's why I trust them. They're certainly not flawless but they are kind and kind people are my jam.
So to the kindness I received today - from the Jamba at lunch to the simple acknowledgement that I exist like "Hello", thank you. That's my kind of fashion.
Secondly, did you see Maria Popova's weekly Brainpickings digest? Is she spying on our class?
And finally, grades aren't posted yet but they will be before the end of the night.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Monday, February 22, 2016
My Kind of Fashion
I'm not into name brands. In fact, I think less is more when it comes to fashion...do I really need to see your logo all up in my face? I like the classics - a guy in blue jeans and a white t-shirt always does me in...add a dimple or two and a guitar. Well...
I prefer the color black. I like solids instead of patterns, and I think a tasteful pair of diamond studs is utter perfection. And if I had to pick, platinum all the way. Come to think of it, the 4 c's in diamonds (cut, clarity, color and carat) are a pretty good standard for life.
Cut - Are you fashioned from quality that taught you the difference between right and wrong?
Clarity - Are you clear and transparent to others? No ulterior motives and angles?
Color - Are you radiating a pureness of light and love? Or are you cloaked in darkness - cloudy and muddled?
Carat - Are you a heavyweight in this world - making your time here on earth not only worth it for you but for others?
My kind of fashion is simple, direct and understated. My kind of people are too. The people closest to me aren't showy or braggy, duplicitous or underhanded. That's why I trust them. They're certainly not flawless but they are kind and kind people are my jam.
So to the kindness I received today - from the Jamba at lunch to the simple acknowledgement that I exist like "Hello", thank you. That's my kind of fashion.
Friday, March 17, 2017
The End of the 6 Weeks
What a way for the 6 weeks to end - great SAS presentations, quality questions, many, many things learned. I will be calculating your grades this weekend. Those of you interested should know participation and Interesting Stuff Journals are the 2 main draws. Any questions about grades can be asked in person on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend!
Love and Light and Learning More Each Day,
Beltran
p.s. - There is an ACLU Internship Opportunity. If you're interested, see me on Monday for info...
Enjoy your weekend!
Love and Light and Learning More Each Day,
Beltran
p.s. - There is an ACLU Internship Opportunity. If you're interested, see me on Monday for info...
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Peter Singer Discussion
It was very eye-opening listening to you discuss Singer's solution to world poverty. Thank you for your effort.
Please come to class on Monday with a printed copy of the 3A sample response off of College Board. It's pages 16-18. We will be reading it and using it in class on Monday. Please share this request with those of your peers who don't read the blog and help each other out with printing and such.
Tomorrow we will have the last round of SAS for the 6 weeks. Also, bring your Interesting Stuff Journals to class (periods 4 and 6 ONLY). Thank you.
And a little Maya Angelou wisdom for those of you who are decades ahead of your peers...It's the wish that drives my days and a wish I have for the best and brightest among the Class of 2018.
Please come to class on Monday with a printed copy of the 3A sample response off of College Board. It's pages 16-18. We will be reading it and using it in class on Monday. Please share this request with those of your peers who don't read the blog and help each other out with printing and such.
Tomorrow we will have the last round of SAS for the 6 weeks. Also, bring your Interesting Stuff Journals to class (periods 4 and 6 ONLY). Thank you.
And a little Maya Angelou wisdom for those of you who are decades ahead of your peers...It's the wish that drives my days and a wish I have for the best and brightest among the Class of 2018.
"My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness."
Dr. Maya Angelou
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Did You Notice The Date?
I did, and again, my life is a beautiful swirl of synchronicity. Dear Shakespeare wrote in his play Julius Caesar, "beware the ides of March". (March 15th for those of you who don't know.)
Brutus, Caesar's beloved and trusted friend, kills Caesar - literally backstabs him - in Act III, scene i.
But Caesar was warned and did not heed the call because he trusted Brutus, believed in him, poured all his hope into him. Nobody listened to the soothsayer..."He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass."
That's pretty interesting if you ask me...today is March 15th.
To the 5%.
xoxo
"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one..."
Brutus, Caesar's beloved and trusted friend, kills Caesar - literally backstabs him - in Act III, scene i.
But Caesar was warned and did not heed the call because he trusted Brutus, believed in him, poured all his hope into him. Nobody listened to the soothsayer..."He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass."
That's pretty interesting if you ask me...today is March 15th.
To the 5%.
xoxo
"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one..."
- Who is it in the press that calls on me? 100
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music,
Cry 'Caesar!' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear.
- Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.
- Caesar. What man is that?
- Brutus. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.105
- Caesar. Set him before me; let me see his face.
- Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar.
- Caesar. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again.
- Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March.
- Caesar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.
Argument Round 1 Tomorrow
Dedicated to Beslie Buran:
Please be prepared to engage in a discussion about the 2005 AP Question 3 prompt. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
xoxo
Please be prepared to engage in a discussion about the 2005 AP Question 3 prompt. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
xoxo
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The Crevices of Life
Thank you for your presence in class today as we watched Amy Krouse Rosenthal's TED Talk. Any of you so inclined can reread her New York Times article that I read in class. There is a link to her obituary as well.
So it goes, dear readers.
So it goes.
See you on the flipside.
Beltran
So it goes, dear readers.
So it goes.
See you on the flipside.
Beltran
Monday, March 13, 2017
The Amber of This Moment
Read!!!
I'll be looking through the journals I collected tonight and I will let you know what I decide for the 6 weeks test. (I only collected periods 3, 4, and 5.)
We're launching into Argument in case you're wondering so be on the lookout for your voices.
Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow,
Beltran
I'll be looking through the journals I collected tonight and I will let you know what I decide for the 6 weeks test. (I only collected periods 3, 4, and 5.)
We're launching into Argument in case you're wondering so be on the lookout for your voices.
Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow,
Beltran
Friday, March 10, 2017
Radical Acts of Empathy
Dear Lovelies,
Happy Friday. How did Jordan do? Was it fabulous???? I hope you had a good day at school and were able to enjoy your hours of learning. I certainly missed my normal Friday full of laughter and feeding my brain, but I'm sure you survived.
Jazmin inspired me with her SAS yesterday and I got to thinking of generating a book list for those of you who are interested in further feeding your brain and prepping for the AP Language test...and for life, if you ask me. There's nothing scarier than an empty mind and an empty soul...
So, if you are inclined, take a lookie loo at the list below and read if you want. Or not. These are some of my favorites and they represent a literary canon that is quite reflective of my personal bias as an educated woman of color. Most of these books and authors were introduced to me by teachers and professors and/or former teachers/professors in my life.
Happy Reading!
Beltran
p.s. - I won't be asking if you read any of these for a grade but for those of you interested in prepping for the exam, I will quote a Cal student who scored a 5 on the exam a couple years ago. "There is no systematic way to prepare for this test other than to read." (A few test prep books wouldn't hurt either but the real work is on your shoulders for we can't turn the class into a dungeon of doom...)
Happy Friday. How did Jordan do? Was it fabulous???? I hope you had a good day at school and were able to enjoy your hours of learning. I certainly missed my normal Friday full of laughter and feeding my brain, but I'm sure you survived.
Jazmin inspired me with her SAS yesterday and I got to thinking of generating a book list for those of you who are interested in further feeding your brain and prepping for the AP Language test...and for life, if you ask me. There's nothing scarier than an empty mind and an empty soul...
So, if you are inclined, take a lookie loo at the list below and read if you want. Or not. These are some of my favorites and they represent a literary canon that is quite reflective of my personal bias as an educated woman of color. Most of these books and authors were introduced to me by teachers and professors and/or former teachers/professors in my life.
Happy Reading!
Beltran
p.s. - I won't be asking if you read any of these for a grade but for those of you interested in prepping for the exam, I will quote a Cal student who scored a 5 on the exam a couple years ago. "There is no systematic way to prepare for this test other than to read." (A few test prep books wouldn't hurt either but the real work is on your shoulders for we can't turn the class into a dungeon of doom...)
A
Feed Your Brain/Feed Your Soul Book List
AKA
Engaging in Radical Acts of Empathy
Toni Morrison – any novel
Zora Neale Hurston – Their Eyes Were Watching God
Richard Wright – Native
Son
Rudolfo Anaya – Bless
Me Ultima
Sandra Cisneros – The
House on Mango Street
Ha Jin – Waiting
Lorraine Hansberry – A Raisin in the Sun (a play)
Khaled Hosseini – A
Thousand Splendid Suns
Gish Jen – Typical
American
Jane Smiley – A
Thousand Acres
Joyce Carol Oates – We Were the Mulvaneys
Amy Tan – The
Joy Luck Club
Barbara Kingsolver – any novel though I’m partial to The Poisonwood Bible, The Bean Trees and Prodigal Summer
Alice Walker – The
Color Purple
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Tomorrow
Thanks for a great day as usual. You are a lovely crew.
For tomorrow, make sure you know what's up. Periods 2, 3, and 4 --- you will be taking a practice Multiple Choice. When you are finished with it, turn it in to the class tray and then read or work on something else. Be respectful (obviously) of each other and the substitute.
Periods 5 and 6, MEET the sub in the PAC. He/She will have a sign that says "Beltran" on it so be sure to check in so they can take attendance. Enjoy the Poetry Symposium and cheer on Jordan who will be presenting. GO, JORDAN!! We love you.
I'll see y'all on Monday and will be wishing you a beautiful and happy weekend.
xoxo,
Beltran
For tomorrow, make sure you know what's up. Periods 2, 3, and 4 --- you will be taking a practice Multiple Choice. When you are finished with it, turn it in to the class tray and then read or work on something else. Be respectful (obviously) of each other and the substitute.
Periods 5 and 6, MEET the sub in the PAC. He/She will have a sign that says "Beltran" on it so be sure to check in so they can take attendance. Enjoy the Poetry Symposium and cheer on Jordan who will be presenting. GO, JORDAN!! We love you.
I'll see y'all on Monday and will be wishing you a beautiful and happy weekend.
xoxo,
Beltran
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Oh My Gravy
I truly felt my heart break open a little more today as I watched you present your Oliver Sacks pieces. I don't think I have played a significant role in the magnificence you are (you have parents, other adults, experiences, etc. to thank for that) but I am honored to have you as students. You know who you are. You must.
Thank you so much for the courage and the bravery and the effort and the just being. I am shattered in the best possible way.
Tomorrow, periods 2, 3, and 4 will have SAS. BE READY. Periods 5 and 6 will be working on a practice MC.
I will not be at school Friday (sad face or happy face depending on who you are) so periods 2, 3, and 4 will be doing practice MC and periods 5, 6 you will be in the PAC. GO JORDAN!!!
Again, thank you to those of you who are allowing me to see you. I really do thank you.
Love,
Beltran
p.s. Lovely lunch today too.
Thank you so much for the courage and the bravery and the effort and the just being. I am shattered in the best possible way.
Tomorrow, periods 2, 3, and 4 will have SAS. BE READY. Periods 5 and 6 will be working on a practice MC.
I will not be at school Friday (sad face or happy face depending on who you are) so periods 2, 3, and 4 will be doing practice MC and periods 5, 6 you will be in the PAC. GO JORDAN!!!
Again, thank you to those of you who are allowing me to see you. I really do thank you.
Love,
Beltran
p.s. Lovely lunch today too.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Brene Brown - Round 2
Thank you for watching the TED Talk from Brene Brown. Her research is quite fascinating..."Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." Look around the world as we know it and see if you find value in her claim.
Consider her point that empathy is the antidote to shame...and how do we foster empathy? Starts with an "r" and ends in an "ing"...
I'll see y'all tomorrow with your Oliver Sacks visuals. I will expect you to share them in small groups and then we will accept volunteers for large group share out.
Kudos to LB in period 3 for starting the flashmob...and to WH and CC for the jousting. Never a dull moment...
I feel like writing a love letter to you all...Perhaps I will.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Consider her point that empathy is the antidote to shame...and how do we foster empathy? Starts with an "r" and ends in an "ing"...
I'll see y'all tomorrow with your Oliver Sacks visuals. I will expect you to share them in small groups and then we will accept volunteers for large group share out.
Kudos to LB in period 3 for starting the flashmob...and to WH and CC for the jousting. Never a dull moment...
I feel like writing a love letter to you all...Perhaps I will.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Monday, March 6, 2017
Shawshank - From the Vault
http://thecluebus.blogspot.com/2015/12/daily-journal-93-shawshank_22.html?m=0
Everything is Connected
Today.
Essay 4.
Visuals due Wednesday.
Ice cream in period 3? Whaaat?
Maya Angelou, days away, sentences that crack you wide open.
I'll see y'all tomorrow for some TED Talk Tuesday.
Love and Light (and La La Land),
Beltran
Essay 4.
Visuals due Wednesday.
Ice cream in period 3? Whaaat?
Maya Angelou, days away, sentences that crack you wide open.
I'll see y'all tomorrow for some TED Talk Tuesday.
Love and Light (and La La Land),
Beltran
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Friday, March 3, 2017
Happy SAS Day
Period 2, you guys rocked your SAS today and that is so, so, so appreciated. And period 6, no words. Just carrots. The rest of y'all did great too. Always an interesting day. I really do love listening to you and learning about new things.
If you could, in addition to reading the 2 essays I posted yesterday, PLEASE PRINT out Sacks' last essay. We'll be reading it together in class. I apologize for not being able to have copies for you. The copy machines have been broken the past couple days. :(
I wish you all a happy weekend!
xoxo,
Beltran
p.s. - Be careful reading those big books...
If you could, in addition to reading the 2 essays I posted yesterday, PLEASE PRINT out Sacks' last essay. We'll be reading it together in class. I apologize for not being able to have copies for you. The copy machines have been broken the past couple days. :(
I wish you all a happy weekend!
xoxo,
Beltran
p.s. - Be careful reading those big books...
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Oliver Sacks - Essay 2 Mishearings, Essay 3 My Periodic Table
For your reading pleasure, lovelies. Read and annotate and OWN these 2 essays by Monday.
Tomorrow is SAS so be ready to feed our brains. Can't wait.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Gentle Reminder Below:
Advanced Placement Exams will be held May 1-19. Exams must be ordered and paid for in advance. Registration is open now and closes March 20th. Late registration for an additional fee will close April 13th. NO EXAMS WILL BE ORDERED AFTER April 13th.
Tomorrow is SAS so be ready to feed our brains. Can't wait.
Love and Light,
Beltran
Gentle Reminder Below:
AP EXAMS
Advanced Placement Exams will be held May 1-19. Exams must be ordered and paid for in advance. Registration is open now and closes March 20th. Late registration for an additional fee will close April 13th. NO EXAMS WILL BE ORDERED AFTER April 13th.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Annotate Like You...
Work on that Sacks piece that I handed out in class. (If you were absent, it's called My Own Life, New York Times, February 19, 2015) We will be looking at the rhetorical aspects of it in class as well as doing a little writing.
Friday is SAS. (Yay)
And your counseling sheets need to be signed and returned to your counselor by March 14th.
Love and Light and riding the waves...
Beltran
Friday is SAS. (Yay)
And your counseling sheets need to be signed and returned to your counselor by March 14th.
Love and Light and riding the waves...
Beltran
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