TED Talk Tuesday Spooktacular

Happy Halloween, Lovelies.

Be safe out there if you do go "out there" and have fun.

Today's TED Talk, delivered by comedian Maz Jobrani, approaches stereotyping from a humorous angle.  Rewatch and annotate the transcript as usual.

Tomorrow have your Chavez precis and an annotated text.  We will do a little learning on how to write an essay.  I promise you some writing time after a mini-lesson.  I have also allocated writing time on Thursday.  Paper due FRIDAY.

Thanks for all your effort.  I appreciate you.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Zac Brown Band "Chicken Fried"

Cesar Chavez

The fact that Cesar Chavez left school in the 7th grade astonishes me.  His words are being read by college bound students and were chosen to be a part of the 2015 exam.  WOW.

Today in class (after some country music!) you worked on annotating and examining the Chavez text.  By Wednesday, have a rhetorical precis written as well as have the text "Adler-ed" up.  We will be discussing it in class and starting to write a Rhetorical Analysis essay. 

If you are interested in what a "6" looks like per AP, find Q2 model essays by googling "AP Language Free Response Model Essays 2015".  It will help with your own writing.

I'll see y'all tomorrow for a TED Talk.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Alright" Darius Rucker

Really Great SAS Today

Dear Lovelies,

Thank you for your effort today.  Everyone's presentation from period 1 through period 5 was engaging and interesting and thoughtful.  I very much appreciate that. 

Thank you also for remembering the presentation format.  Saying good morning/good afternoon, having a visual, explaining your topic well (including what it is, why you picked it and your SOURCE), asking if there are any questions and saying "Thank You" instead of "So, yeah" or "Umm...".

For class on Monday please have background information on Cesar Chavez.  To be clear, that means using the questions from the Rhetorical Triangle worksheet (the column that has 6 questions about the "Speaker") and having the answers. 

We will be annotating a text from Chavez so you need to show up ready.

Have a great and happy weekend.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Bryan Adams "Summer of '69"

Bruno Mars Lives in My Mind Palace

"Welcome", Bruno says while adjusting his gold sparkly jacket.  "Welcome to the Sassy Syntax Room."

Ahhhhhhh!

Sorry if you think using Joshua Foer's suggestions to create a room devoted entirely to syntax is ridiculous, but it works.  It really does.  Especially if you are planning on taking the AP test in May or even if you are hoping to become a better, more mindful writer.

Things to consider with today's lesson:  periodic vs. loose sentences, what is syntax (sentence construction and word order), and how does the sentence arrangement contribute to meaning and effect?  How does the sentence arrangement help the rhetor achieve his/her purpose?

To be clear, what we are attempting to do here in AP Language is to outfit your "toolbox" with different devices and techniques should you choose to use them in your own writing.  On the AP test, identifying and analyzing these devices and syntactical choices has nothing to do with your own writing ability.  Some among us are naturally gifted writers, but most of us are just trying to improve.

If you are interested in the whole of MLK's Letter, you can access it here.  It really is a beautiful piece of writing that sadly remains timely in light of racial strife present still in 2017. 

Tomorrow we will be enjoying SAS so be prepared especially in classes where everyone has already presented.

As a heads up, on Monday, you will be expected to have background information on Cesar Chavez.  We will reading a piece by him and annotating like APES (AP English students).  You will also be attempting your first rhetorical analysis essay that will be due Friday 11/3.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: excerpt from Superbowl Halftime Show featuring Bruno Mars and Queen B

So Happy Together

Seeing that horrible accident on the 8 this morning really affected me.  I don't know who the man was who died on the freeway, but seeing his lone shoe with the laces askew made me wake up in a way.  He put on his shoes as we all did today and never once did he think about it being his last day. 

Thanks (especially to period 1) for being patient with my rattled self.  And thanks to Maddie for the song.  I appreciate you writing and working on analysis in class.  The work is never done.

Tomorrow, know how tall Bruno Mars is.  For real.  And be ready to feed your brain.

Be safe.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: The Turtles "So Happy Together"

P.S. Post #2 of the Day

Be Weird. 

And Post-Its.

PLEASE.

Go Cubs.

Ted Talk Tuesday - A Two For One

Thank you for your attention this ridiculously hot day.  Make sure you stay hydrated, especially you lovelies, period 5!

We watched two TED Talks, the first by Tom Thum and the second by the incomparable Reggie Watts.  Rewatch and annotate the transcripts.  You should have 8 total TED Talks as of today.  Also, please don't forget to add the talks to your TED Talk chart.  See a classmate if you have no idea what I am talking about.

The next week and a half we will be entering the land of Rhetorical Analysis so I'm going to expect you to have your copy of the 6 pages I posted last Friday as well as the first set of devices you were given for the Rhetorical Devices Project.  To prepare for class, you will also want the Rhetorical Triangle document (the one with the triangle at the top and the columns of questions below...this was also previously posted on the bliggity blog). 

I will be handing out a couple more documents tomorrow in class.  And for you planners out there, you will be doing research this weekend on both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez.  If you want a head start, you can begin researching these 2 rhetors now.  Next Monday you will be annotating a new text and by next Wednesday you will have to have devices identified and explained.  We will be writing on Wednesday and Thursday of next week with a "paper" due Friday 11/3.  (As in November when I hope to the heavens we will have Fall weather!)

SAS resumes this Friday so make sure you are prepared. 

What else?  Oh, yes, one more thing.  I need Post-It Notes.  Like A LOT.   Pads of Post-Its PLEASE.  Donations welcome. 

Love and Light,
Beltran (an office supply addict with a plan)

Today's Song: "Feel It Still" Portugal the Man

Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Happy Monday, lovelies.  Thank you for your presence in class and your effort on today's M/C.  I gave you a couple deadlines and book titles, so make sure you know to read Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers by Monday, December 4th and read Strunk & White's The Elements of Style.  I told you how to access that last one online.  Cough cough.

As far as MC goes, Strategy #1 is below:

 Exam Strategy 1

 * Scan the number of questions and divide the number by two. For example, if there are 54 questions, and you have 60 minutes to finish, you should be around question 27 after 30 minutes.

 * Divide the time by the number of passages. For example, if you have four passages to read and one hour to complete the exam, you should allot 15 minutes to each passage.

 * YOU must take responsibility for managing YOUR time on the exam.

I'll see y'all tomorrow for TED Talk Tuesday...

Love and Light,

Beltran

Today's Song: Corrine Bailey's "Put Your Records On"

P.S. - If you made a Spotify playlist for the blackout poetry, would you email me so I can listen to the songs??

Fun Friday

Although today was sad in the sense that we had to bid farewell to Ms. Meier, your work on the Blackout Poetry was great to see.  I think it says a lot that when you are given the freedom to choose, you can create meaningful work that matters.  Authentic learning is fun.  Period. 

You did an awesome job...and I will remember this day's class for a long time.  (Perhaps part of that has to do with the dancing like Napoleon...if you want to relive the dance, check out the scene HERE.)

Next week we will continue the journey.

Love and Light and Go Cubs forever,
Beltran

Today's Song: I don't know what to call it...but if you were here, Vote for Pedro!

Lyrics and Such - Dia Dos

Thanks for the work today, lovelies.  If you need to reference Ms. Meier's powerpoint, please access it HERE.  I'd ask you to let me know if the link doesn't work, but I cannot lie.  I will be offline; it's October baseball and against all odds, the Cubbies are still playing.  I have a feeling this is the last time I will be watching them play for a while so...

Come to class tomorrow with your blackout poetry and your precis.  You will be participating in a Gallery Walk of sorts and then presenting your work.

We can't wait!!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Let's Dance" David Bowie

Song Lyrics and Such

Thanks for the attention to Ms. Meier today. You should appear in class tomorrow with your lyrics annotated and your singer researched.

Every song has a story (and likely a story behind the story).

Tomorrow Ms. Meier will lead you in the work for the project. It will be presented Friday in lieu of SAS.

Friday will also be Ms. Meier's last day in Room 853 so...

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets"

P. S. If the Cubs lose let me sulk in peace.
P.P.S. - Box of free stuff on the table with class trays. Take what you want for the rest shall be donated.

TED Talk Tuesday *UPDATED*

***Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell needs to be read by December 4th. Read at your own pace! Copies in the library.. ***


Joshua Foer's TED Talk was viewed today. I hope you heard what he said about the importance of remembering. It matters. And goes far beyond memorizing facts for tests.

Be Cicero...topic to topic, not word for word.

Tomorrow have your 2 copies of your song following the format Ms. Meier showed you. It should prove to be a fun day as we are both excited to see what songs you pick.

Sadly, Ms. Meier's last day will be Friday so make sure you bring your best effort to class for her.

See y'all tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Free Fallin' " Tom Petty

P.S. I said I would email period 1 but there's a Cubs game on. I won't be online tonight.

Kudos to You

Hi, Lovelies -

Thank you for your attention to Ms. Meier today as she did her lesson on annotating with the excerpt from Pride and Prejudice.  Access to the powerpoint can be accessed HERE.  Make sure to look at it if you were absent or you just want to review.

As a "student" in the back, it was GREAT to hear some new voices especially in period 1.  YES.  And as a "student" in the back, it was awesome to see that a majority of you had annotated the devices document posted Friday and had flashcards.  If you weren't prepared, make sure you show up prepared tomorrow.

If you liked the Austen excerpt, check her out.  She was a rockstar writer and super snarky in her snappy syntax.  Everything is recycled and repurposed so Emma and the movie "Clueless" and Pride and Prejudice and the movie "Bridget Jones Diary" are the same story.  Also, keep in mind that AP Central looooooooves Jane Austen.  (By the way, anyone pick up on the connection between Austen as a pop culture icon and another rhetor who was all about pop culture??)

Anyhoo, show up tomorrow for TED Talk Tuesday with your precis or "fancy thinking" on the Austen piece.  Ms. Meier expects it in the class tray.

On Wednesday, you need to show up with 2 copies of APPROPRIATE song lyrics.  One copy should be the regular one that has stanzas/chunks.  The second copy should have NO line breaks on it.  If this doesn't make sense, ask in class tomorrow, okay?

This week we won't be hosting SAS (it will resume on the 27th) but you will be presenting a little something something based on Wednesday's lesson regarding song lyrics.

I think I've blathered on long enough.  BUT SUPER PROUD OF WHAT I SAW TODAY.  AP STUDENTS YOU ARE BECOMING.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "All By Myself" Celine Dion and (for Period 4 & 5) the dance scene from "Pride and Prejudice"

12 More Weeks - A Long Post

The first grading period is officially done which means you have about 12 more weeks before your first semester as a junior is finished.  Whoa. 

Time definitely flies when you're...

...aiming for the stars...
...clenching your fists...
...reading with a renewed passion...
...still acting like you're in 10th grade...
...building with your legos...
...staring vacantly into a bin of pieces you've yet to put together...

I could go on, but I will simply say thank you to owners of open (and opening) hands.  I see you. 

In an effort to get you started on the right foot for class on Monday, please print THIS.  It's a 6 page document with tons of devices organized in categories.  I know most of you know that I expect more than just printing it, but to help the rest of y'all out, let me be explicit.

1.  Print (or copy) the document.
2.  Read through the document with a pen or pencil (no highlighters, remember?) and annotate any terms you don't know.
3.  Make flashcards and start learning them.  (The best way to do this is to write out the terms, define them with the official dictionary definition, rewrite it in your own words and create some sort of example that you'll remember...the sillier the better.)
4.  Review them in chunks and keep the list/flashcards handy when you're reading new texts.

And while I'm on the subject of how to complete the Monday requirements, let me reiterate the expectations for annotating and SAS.

When you get any text (be it in class or for homework or on a test) the first thing you do is draw the Rhetorical Triangle.  After that, scan the text looking for characteristics (think the 5 Canons).  Pay attention to where the text is from (magazine, newspaper, website, etc.) and when it was written (context).  Obviously read it with a pen/pencil in hand (Adler it up) looking for devices, shifts, tone, point of view, etc. (Have you memorized the Rhetorical Triangle worksheet that has all those questions on it?) Reread if necessary for comprehension AND THEN DO YOUR RESEARCH.  Write down your findings on the text. 

All this is what you should do if you're an AP student.  That = prepared for class.  So whenever I write, say, mime, or sing "Be prepared for class," that's what I mean.

As for SAS, do not waste anyone's time showing up unprepared.  Do not ask asinine questions for the sake of hearing your own voice.  Do not start your presentation informally.  Do not end your presentations with "Uhh, yeah," or "So, yeah."  Do not forget your visual.

(Did you notice all the negativity? Ick...let's try that again.)

As for SAS, show up prepared.  Ask quality questions.  Start your presentations with a greeting and your name.  End your presentations with "thank you".  Have a visual.

(That's better.)

A thousand thanks for the quality SAS presentations Ms. Meier and I got to hear today. We are both waiting to follow that new blog that needs to be created...cough cough. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "All Star" Smash Mouth & a random afternoon class selection

Full Circle

I'm just as guilty as the next meatsuit when it comes to the example Brene Brown mentions in her TED Talk "The Power of Vulnerability".  Remember it?  The one where you cling to the one "area of improvement" your boss mentions and forget all about the thousand other things you're doing right.

Yep.  That's pretty much me.

Try as I might, I replay over and over the one negative part of my day or the one silly thing I said or the one thing I could have done better.

And then the universe decides to send me a wink...a little swirl of magic to remind me that in order to stand in the light you have to look for it.  Maybe even walk over and flip the switch.  Perhaps light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

Thank you for the honest evaluations.  A few were not what I would have given you, but most were right on point.

I'll see you tomorrow for SAS!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Under Pressure" Queen (those lyrics!)

Wise Words from a Junior

(Before I forget, here's the link to Ms. Meier's powerpoint.  Hope it works.  You should check it out and add it to your mind palace.)

Today (depending on which class you're in), we discussed our Klosterman annotations and wrote a precis for the introduction.  If you didn't finish the precis, have it ready to turn in tomorrow.

Since Ms. Meier taught some of the periods, I had the chance to finish reading emails and writing on the Zander inspired question I posed:  Who are you being as a student in Room 853?

One kiddo wrote something so beautiful and haunting that it needs to be shared.

"Why aim for anything less than the stars?"

So true.  

What's the point of half heartedly doing something?

What's the point of being "good enough"?

Why does the concept "bare minimum" even exist as an option for us?

Like Klosterman, I, too, sense a shift throughout the day.  And my only wish is that all of my students could be flies on the wall and see what I see, hear what I hear, read what I read (in terms of emails and writings).  Perhaps then they would all be able to understand that as a conductor, I am only as good as the players in my orchestra.

Tomorrow you reflect on what you deserve for the first 6 weeks.  

If you're prone to feeding that big green monster of envy, be forewarned.  Tomorrow, you will look yourself in the eye and own what kind of a student you actually are.  

Love and Light,

Beltran

Today's Songs: "Ants Marching" Dave Matthews Band (periods 1 and 2) & "Friends" Theme Song "I'll Be There for You" The Rembrandts

TED Talk Tuesday

Benjamin Zander.

My word. It's amazing to me how any subject can be engaging if the rhetor knows how to weave a tale. Today's TED Talk is one that makes me think and reconsider my views on all genres of music - not just classical. If you were absent, just search up Zander.  TED. The Transformative Power of Classical Music.

Rewatch.
Annotate the transcript.
Own the piece.

For periods 4 and 5, send an email with your answer to the question I posed. Periods 1-3, I'll be reading your responses tonight.

Tomorrow have your annotated Klosterman text. AND LOOK UP THE RHETOR PLEASE.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Sir Duke" Stevie Wonder

Did You Manage?

Of course you did! The magic that happens in Room 853 is dependent upon you - your energy, your joy, your choices. Sorry I had to miss...life.

I'll be back tomorrow ready to share another TED Talk and Lego pieces.

See y'all soon.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: You tell me!!

Rockin' SAS Today

Thanks for such a great SAS day. I love seeing personalities and hearing your voices. Thanks for the work.

Make sure you're reflecting on your 6 weeks grade. Are you this class' version of an "A" student? Are you exceptional? Above average? Average? Interesting points to ponder since you're "A" quality human beings but you're not assessing your humanity here.

Have a happy weekend and be safe.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "I'm Amazed" by My Morning Jacket and "All -Star" by Smash Mouth for our special surprise guest.

Love on Top

what is stronger
than the human heart
which shatters over and over
and still lives

~rupi kaur, page 109

Like Meena Alexander, rupi kaur's writing is reflective of her human condition.  With relative ease, Alexander and kaur both string words together to construct beauty and meaning.  At first glance, both are just stories - just poems.  But upon further examination they are our stories of heartache, our stories of loss, our stories of fear,  our stories of change.  (See what I did there?)

Tomorrow you are expected to have your rhetorical precis for Fault Lines.  That will be turned in when you arrive to class.

I hope to see some of your people tonight at Open House.  It runs from 6-8pm!  (And, y'all Grey's Anatomy is on...life is all about difficult choices.)

Anyhoo, read and write and dance and live and learn.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Beyonce's "Love on Top" with a little "Halo" and slo mo dancing for some classes...

the sun and her flowers

Page 109

My world just exploded.

There are no coincidences.

Oh.

My.

Word.

Fault Lines

Today we got the opportunity to dance, connect and read a fabulous piece from Meena Alexander.  Any of you absent can grab a hard copy tomorrow.

Make sure you examine the rhetorical devices in the piece and consider how the fractured self is represented in not only Alexander's stylistic and rhetorical choices but in her arrangement of the piece as well.

I got to be a student in periods 4 and 5 today since Ms. Meier took the reins, and I have to say, I had fun thinking and discussing.  So shout out to the groups that let me join them.  Thank you.

Tomorrow, have the text annotated.  You will be working in groups to flesh out a rhetorical precis.  And just as you wouldn't show up to a party undressed, don't show up to class unprepared.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Songs (depending on class period): MKTO "Classic" or The Beatles "Yellow Submarine"

P.S. - Rupi Kaur's new book came out yesterday...Sigh.

Picasso Wasn't Picasso Until He Became Picasso *UPDATED*

Today's TED Talk by Sir Kenneth Robinson resonates deeply with me as a lifelong learner and teacher. I am so biased when it comes to education.  I went to a pretty ordinary middle school in Texas that had extraordinary teachers and a very progressive and innovative approach to learning.  In 6th grade I was selected to be a part of a new class called "Autonomous Learners" taught by veteran teacher Vicky Murry.  It was to be a class composed of multiple grades (6th, 7th, 8th) and the curriculum was guided by our teacher but what we got to learn was up to us.  Basically Independent Study with no fear of grades or such nonsense.

In that class I studied everything from authors to artists to scientists to engineering to math to whatever sparked my curiosity.  It's when I fell in love with language and probably why I became a teacher.

It was magical.

Then I went to teach in typical schools with my atypical approach.

And here we are.

Consider what Robinson says...Consider what Annie Dillard says in The Writing Life.  "How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives."

How are you spending your days?  Chasing your dreams or chasing your tail (my cat Rosabelle does this consistently and while cute for her furry self, not so cute for us humans.)

Think of the countless hours Prince spent playing music, creating music, living music.  Think of Picasso and his art.  Think of Pulisic and his foot skills.  Think of your packets.

This is water.  This is water.  This is water.

On December 11th, you will present your CREATE SOMETHING projects.  The goal?  A creation born from an "original idea that [has] value".

If you want to rewatch the music video of George Harrison's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, feel free.  And here is a great read from The New York Times that ran after Prince's tragic death in 2016.

I'll see you tomorrow for some learning.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

The Day Today

I'm just a kinder person as the day goes on. 

By lunch, I remember that this class is not the end all be all, so apologies if I come off as if English is the most important thing in your life.  I know it isn't, but neither is History or Math or Bio.  I do know, though, that if you aren't keeping up with the work you're going to have a heck of a time catching up. 

So decide. 

Please.

As for today, we wrote (Empty Your Cup), we quizzed (rhetorical devices), we read a Rupi Kaur piece, we got introduced to the precis.  (What's that rhetorical device when you purposefully omit a conjunction??)

As for tonight, read some Milk and Honey, watch the 60 Minutes segment on the soccer player from last night, study your devices and the precis format, and dance party it up to your favorite song.

Tomorrow is another day.  Another day to do better. 

After all, "when we know better, we do better."

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Smokey Robinson "I Second That Emotion"

Happy October

Hi, lovelies -

I hope each of you is enjoying a beautiful and peaceful day.  Happy October 1st.

I just wanted to drop by and give you a bit of a heads up regarding your grades for the first 6 weeks.  The "grading" period ends on Friday the 13th (so very fitting) and I wanted you to start thinking about what you honestly think you deserve. 

Last year I learned a lot about the chasm between delusion and reality when my then juniors (now seniors) did grade reflections and some of the slackiest slackers of students self-assigned A's.  I was angry and disappointed and basically incredulous.  In an effort to spare my heart this go 'round, look at the checklist below and consider whether or not you meet all the minimums.  Let's say you don't.  YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE YOURSELF AN "A".  

If you do meet the "bare minimum", then consider what that means.  Minimum as in "good enough"?  I know I'm not a student anymore (at least not the same as you) but I don't think you can claim to be an "A" student in Room 853 unless you've done your absolute best AND it's also good by academic standards (i.e., high quality, non-BS work).

For example, let's say you have emailed me the minimum number of times...now think about the QUALITY of those emails. 

Let's say you have annotated all the TED Talk transcripts...now think about how they compare to Ms. Meier's or mine.

Let's say you took the Multiple Choice Diagnostic and you got less than 6 or 7 correct. 

Stuff like that.

Also consider what the ever sagacious (do you know that word?) Maya Angelou says about our behavior.  According to her, we teach people how to treat us.  I know I make a thousand mistakes a day, but it's usually because I'm not thinking or I haven't had a chance to "be still and know".  So, please.  I implore you to stop and pause and really think before you assign yourself a grade that we both know you don't deserve quite yet.

Consider:

• TED Talks - rewatching videos, taking quality notes, annotating transcripts
• Class annotations of various texts (How To Mark a Book, Passports to Understanding, Stability in Motion...)
• Class Participation (how many times have you commented on the blog?, how many times have you volunteered to present?, how often do you ask/answer questions in class?, how often do you contribute to class discussions?)
• Emails (I asked for an email by Friday of Week 1 and then I asked for a bare minimum of 2 emails/week after our Recalibration Day on TH 9/14...Have you met or exceeded that expectation?) And just so you know, this is an area where most of you fall incredibly short either because you don't email at all, not enough, or the content is lacking.  Think of this category as if I asked you to turn in a piece of writing twice a week.  Have you?  Is it good?  
• Work (Did you write a piece on "how you see"?, did you complete the Rhetorical Devices Project adhering to the expectations that included a MLA formatted list of your 24 devices, did you write a 2016 haiku?, do you have your AP test prep book?)
• Do you know the 5 Canons, the Rhetorical Triangle and its discussion questions, the first round of 23 rhetorical devices?

Now reflect and honestly answer the following question:  What grade are you self-assigning for the first 6 weeks and why?

Hasta Manana,

Beltran