Love and Light to You All

Happy Spring Break, lovelies.  Enjoy the time away and be safe.  I'll see you in April for AP season.

:)

Today's Song: "Take On Me" A-Ha

Multiple Choice Mania

Thank you for working on the mind numbing multiple choice prep we handled today.  It's not fun or easy but necessary.  Most things worth doing are a bit of a struggle (at least when it comes to standardized test prep.)

And our Book Competition launched.  Any book you completed for Deadline #2 (on or off the list) counts for the tally.  You will submit books read on slips of paper that include your name, the book title and the page count.  So...get reading.  Competition goes until the day of the test 5/16.

Plus it's almost Spring Break.  That is good news.

Tomorrow we will enjoy SAS.  Be ready.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Songs: "Shut Up and Dance" (Periods 1-4), "Can't Stop the Feeling" Trolls version (period 5)

Soccer Mom to APES

Dear APES (AP English Students, that is),

Thank you for talking about books today.  Yes, yes, yes.

As such, I was inspired to create a friendly reading competition among classes. I will think on specific details and announce tomorrow but there will be a prize and maybe cute barometers of progress so you can see which class is winning. 

Deadline will be 5/16, the day of the AP test - that I know for sure.

I'll see y'all tomorrow for some test strategy.

It's almost Spring Break!!  Who wants to come pack up my house?

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Songs: "I'm Still Standing" Elton John (periods 1-4) "Shut Up and Dance With Me" (period 5)

Tuesday Truths

Thank you for watching and enjoying the videos from your peers today.  It was fun to see you come together to create something (ha) that did not exist before.  Gratitude for that.

The TED Talk you are to watch can be found here.  Have the transcript annotated by the Tuesday after break. 

And the two Brene Brown animations on blame and empathy are worth rewatching. 

I'll see you tomorrow for Book Talk #2.  If you read multiple books, bring them all and if you don't have the book anymore, bring notes and a willingness to discuss.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Songs:  All over the place from a flashmob in 5th to a musical in 3rd...

It's Kind of All Up To You

As an educator, I strive to teach all of you - and by that I mean all aspects of your human condition - mental, social, emotional, etc.  With that said, the broken system of education gets a reboot in Room 853 and you become the "master" of your "fate" (or so the saying goes...).  You are in charge of whether or not you try, do your work, wholeheartedly attempt growth and step out of your comfort zone.  So...make sure you understand what was announced today.  If you were absent, ask a classmate or me.

MC today that we will use again on Thursday.

Tomorrow, video watching of all the dances and a TED Talk.

Wednesday is our book deadline #2.

Thursday is the MC strategy session so come with questions.

Friday SAS...will you be here??  Let me know.

See y'all tomorrow for learning.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Toad the Wet Sprocket "All I Want"

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!

It was great seeing you dance and come together to create something awesome. Appreciate it.

I’ll be inputting grades this weekend (or maybe even Monday night because I’m busy) so be on the lookout. Any concerns, please talk to me.

Some reminders: Baldwin essay due Monday. Wednesday is Book Deadline #2.

Enjoy the weekend and 12 more weeks!!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: “Beat It”

It's FINALLY Thursday

Hi, Lovelies -

Thanks for the work today.  I expect an essay on the Baldwin prompt on Monday.  Here's the deal: if you are taking the AP Language test in May, PLEASE WRITE YOUR ESSAY IN BLUE INK.  If you're not taking the test in May, you may write it OR type it. 

Tomorrow, periods 2, 3, 4, and 5 are recording their Michael Jackson dance.  Then SAS.  Period 1, you are just doing SAS.

Also, next Wednesday (3/21) is Book Deadline #2.  Come to class with a book (or books) read and be prepared to discuss. 

Have a wonderful rest of your day.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Working My Way Back to You" The Spinners

Trevor Noah and James Baldwin - Who Knew?

Language and identity, people. There it is.

Read and annotate the text you received today and be prepared to discuss it and write on it tomorrow. Your TED Talk transcripts are due tomorrow so make sure you have them.

I’ll see you tomorrow!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: “The Sound of Sunshine” Michael Franti

Block Schedule Day 2

So today is one for the books...Period 1.  What can I say?  WOW.  From 8:09 am to 9:27 am.  Amazing.  I learned so much and hope you did too.

Period 3, we didn't have class since we were at the assembly.  I personally found the final speaker to be the most impactful.  To transform his pain into his activism is something I very much respect. 

And period 5...well, to be honest, I'm typing this at lunch so who knows what is about to happen?  I'll see you soon.

The TED Talk  you are supposed to watch (and rewatch/annotate) is by Cleo Wade.  Enjoy.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Michael Jackson practice

Block Schedule Day 1

Hi, Lovelies,

It feels weird not seeing periods 1, 3 and 5.  But I guess that's something to look forward to tomorrow.  For those of you who were in class today, HERE is the TED Talk link.  (If you'll be in class tomorrow, please hold off and watch with me.)

We also scored the MC from Friday so that was fun...Shout out to period 2 who had a chance to explain the why behind their answers.  Impressive.

Wednesday is a modified schedule as well so heads up.

And annotated TED Talk transcripts will be collected/reviewed on Thursday. 

Have a beautiful day.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "Beat It"

Thursday Chats

Dear Lovelies,

Thank you for dancing, for discussing, for diving into the depths of differing opinions.  I appreciate being able to listen to you talk about an assortment of issues. Here's the video link to the Crash Course video you should watch in its entirety.

Your PPP#5 were due today so I hope you turned them in....tomorrow, I'll be out so you will be taking a practice MC and if there's extra time after you can read or work on items for another class.

I'll see y'all on Monday for BLOCK SCHEDULE (Periods 2, 4 and 6).

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Pocketful of Sunshine" Natasha Bedingfield

P.S. CREATE SOMETHING 2.0 due Monday, May 21st (Happy Birthday MM!)

Argument Day One

Today went well (I thought) in terms of the issues/topics you brought to class.  Tomorrow, in addition to having your completed PPP#5, please have evidence to support your claims.  Be sure to look into opposing viewpoints and consider other perspectives.

We will turn in packets tomorrow and then break into small discussion groups based on the umbrella themes.  (Period 3, we have to finish the initial share out and create thematic groups...)

I'll see y'all tomorrow.

And remember I will be out on Friday so you will be completing a MC.  Bring an independent reading book as well.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Lucky Star" Madonna

TED Talk Tuesday - Philosophy Please

Hiya, Lovelies -

Here's today's TED Talk.  It is such an exercise for the brain - in a good way.  Or at least I think so.  Please rewatch and annotate the transcript.

For tomorrow, have an issue that you feel needs solving.  Truly pick something you care about...We will be discussing your issues and on Thursday offering solutions and ideas.

Your PPP is due on Thursday as well. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Rhythm Nation" Janet Jackson

Monday SAS

Thanks for adjusting to the schedule change up today. MC on Friday as a reminder.

Tomorrow, TED Talk and as a heads up I’ll be asking for your annotated transcripts next TH 3/15.

Keep reading and thinking and paying attention.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: MJ practice

Happy Friday

Hi, Lovelies,

Sorry for a late post. Soccer. Dinner. Life. And just getting home now.

Thanks for the SAS presentations and for all the brain food. Thor’s presentation left me so intrigued and upset all at the same time.

Enjoy the weekend and I’ll see you Monday. Remember that Multiple Choice Monday will happen on Friday 3/9 and another SAS will occur on Monday. Wonky, I know, but I’ll be out Friday the 9th.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: MJ practice

Much Love...

...and Light to you, Lovelies. Sorry I was out. I’ll be back tomorrow for SAS.