On Average

Dear Lovelies,

Happy Halloween!!

Today we read the 1971 "I Want a Wife"  (Readings for Writers).  You are to complete a Rhetorical Triangle, know the essay's thesis and Rhetorical Devices/Strategies used, and have answers to Q1-5 "The Facts" pages 590 & 591. Have this for tomorrow. 

Tomorrow - Partner Work on "The Strategies" Q1-5 (page 591)

Friday - Write a Precis for "I Want a Wife" AND answer EITHER Q1 or Q2 ("The Issues") page 591

Make sure you have your book the rest of the week.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Monster Mash" Bobby Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

Take Your Space

Today's TED Talk.

Take your space.

Pay attention.

Lily Myers.

Justin Timberlake..

A lot of Legos.

Bring your Readings for Writers tomorrow. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Mirrors" Justin Timberlake

Monday Musings

Thank you. Lovelies, for writing and sharing today.  I appreciate it and you.

As for stuff you need to know...

Readings For Writers on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday!!!
No SAS Friday - I won't be here.

That's it for now.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "The Middle" Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey

Happy Friday

Thanks for another eye-opening day of SAS.  I learn so much from listening and observing.  Do you?

Have a great weekend and be safe.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "We Are Family" Sister Sledge

"The His'er Problem"

Dear Lovelies -

Thank you for writing today.  It's always fascinating to see how you create.  If for some reason you didn't finish (or you were absent) you can turn in your 2 paragraphs tomorrow.  (The Assignment: Write an Introductory Paragraph following the Precis format and a second paragraph in which you respond to whether or not you agree, disagree or qualify Fadiman's stance on gender-neutral language.)

FYI - We will be going over your Precis writing in class next week. I'll share my example then.

SAS tomorrow and a heads up that YOU WILL NEED THE READINGS FOR WRITERS BOOK NEXT WEDNESDAY 10/31.

Also, you will have 1:1 Counselor Meetings in the Office on Friday 11/17.

Do you even read this far in the blog?  If you do, thanks.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Safety Dance" Men Without Hats

So Much Quality Info

Thanks for listening to me wax poetic about all I learned from Julie Lythcott-Hains' book How To Raise and Adult.  I hope it can help you on your search for a college match. (I copied it onto the bottom of this post.)

Tomorrow make sure you bring your Rhetorical Precis notes (the two handouts from last Wednesday) and bring The Norton Reader.  You'll be using them in class.  And if you didn't do the work from Monday, HAVE IT DONE.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Dancing With Myself" Billy Idol

Fiske Guide to College
Forbes’ America’s Best Colleges
Niche’s College Prowler
The Princeton Review
Colleges That Change Lives (ctcl.org)
***www.alumnifactor.com (Ultimate Outcomes)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Don’t want to see scores: Hampshire College in Amherst, MA

Bard College - option to use Common App or respond to 4/21 essays. If you earn a B+ or higher on each (reviewed by Bard Faculty) you’re in! 2014 acceptance 38%

Tufts University - Medford, MA tests are one element; embrace gap year concept

Joshua Foer

It's important to remember to remember.

Ahh, yes, Joshua Foer.  Rewatch here. 

I wonder what your thoughts are on the TED Talk...but how would I know? 

Don't forget The Norton Reader for tomorrow and Thursday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" Selena

For Paul Erdos...

Thanks for the effort on today's MC.  It's one of my favorite passages because of the subject.  Glorious math...and really - glorious learning.  It's supposed to be fun and engaging and bring you to life. 

Sigh.

A couple quick reminders:  bring The Norton Reader to class on WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY.   You will be using them in small group discussions on Wednesday and group work on Thursday.  Thanks in advance. 

And speaking of "in advance", please have the following done for Wednesday: Create and fill out a Rhetorical Triangle (make sure you can fully discuss each aspect), Define the following words: nimbus, sanguinary, eland, hoi polloi, neologism & lissome, and Create a list of the pros and cons of using gender-neutral language.

Here's to a positive week full of happiness and joy.  I truly hope each of you will find a reason to authentically smile this week.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Michael Jackson's "PYT"

P.S. If you're interested in the Harvard article I referenced in class, HERE YA GO.  And if the link doesn't work, just google "Harvard's Admissions Process is Unveiled in Federal Court" via The New York Times. It's fascinating.

Happy Friday

Thanks for another fascinating slew of SAS. And a huge shout out to our period 3 artist. I love the henna tattoo!!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: “I’m Coming Out” Diana Ross

The Norton Reader

Honestly it is a trip to see y'all with the textbook for this class.  I haven't used it in years but the Anne Fadiman essay is too good.  Besides, "The His'er Problem"  was originally published in Fadiman's book Ex Libris which I read after it being mentioned in Anne Bogel's I'd Rather Be Reading.  Follow the Instagram if you want to read along and get some new ideas for reads - most of which aren't on the school book list. (@beltranbooks)

Have the Fadiman essay read and annotated (including a completed Rhetorical Triangle) by class NEXT WEDNESDAY 10/24.  We will be having small group discussions and then a large group chat as well.  Be ready.

I would also expect you to look up unfamiliar vocabulary too.

Thanks in advance for that effort and for wholehearted everything when it comes to Room 853.

SAS tomorrow!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: ASAP Rocky's cover of Otis Redding's "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay"

The Ugly Truth About Beauty

Ahhh Dave Barry.  Thank you for writing something 20 years ago that still elicits a response in 2018.  I thought I had selected a text that was going to be mellow.  Lesson learned.

For tomorrow, Lovelies, please have The Norton Reader.  You will be taking your Rhetorical Triangle Worksheet quiz and then using the book for an essay.

Have a great rest of you day and thanks for the great dancing.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Sorry Not Sorry" Demi Lovato (clean version, y'all)

Tuna Fish

Today you met Benjamin Zander, author, composer, and all-around inspiring human being.  In his TED Talk (that you can access here) he theorizes the value of classical music.  He reminds us all to stop "playing" on impulse and to be mindful of who we are "being".

The part that gets me every single time is the anecdote he shares at the end of the talk.  Recounting the survivor of Auschwitz, he cautions us to be mindful of the "last" words we say.  When we lost my mom (quite unexpectedly and quickly), life became a blur.  But one thing I did remember from that challenging time was the last conversation I had with her.

Without going into too much detail, I will say she was wearing a mask so her voice was muffled.  We talked about dinner.  My sister and I were leaving the ICU and before we left and said "I love you", I asked her if I could make some tuna fish. She nodded.

Tuna fish.  Of all the things.  My last conversation.

I hope you can appreciate what Zander is trying to impart.  Take from it what you will and consider it another Lego piece.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Dancing in the Moonlight" King Harvest

Monday Musing

Happy First Day of the 2nd Six Weeks -

I am so curious as to what you will accomplish in these next 6 weeks - how they will unfold and what you will manifest.  Will you open your hands (if they're still closed).  I wonder wonder wonder...

But first, stuff you need to know (and please, spread the word to the people who don't read the blog).

*Quiz on the Rhetorical Triangle and the Questions (that worksheet posted from before).  You will receive a blank template and need to fill it in.  QUIZ ON THURSDAY 10/18. 
*Change on the Textbooks.  Bring The Norton Reader on THURSDAY 10/18.

Ted Talk tomorrow!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Come on Eileen"

Finally Friday

Huge shout outs to GG and EC for letting us borrow the pom poms today.  And thank you all for the Friday dancing.

Have a happy and safe weekend.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" Wham!

Create Something 1.0

It went down. 

Do you have questions?

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Rich Girl" Gwen Stefani

Pssssst....PSAT

I missed a ton of you lovelies today and class was lacking without your presence. 

Those of you who were in class, you submitted a "creative" Rhetorical Triangle to me.  (Using the Rhetorical Triangle Notes I posted earlier, you went through and created a rhetor and included all the answers to the 15 questions on the document.)  See me if you were absent and those instructions don't make sense.

Tomorrow, I am hopeful you will all be back.  We've got a little somethin' somethin' to discuss.  All good, I promise.

SAS returns on Friday as well so be prepared. 

Is it almost 3 o'clock?  I've gotta go check my email...(hint hint)

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Cyndi Lauper

TED Talk Tuesday - You Can Call Me Sir

Happy Tuesday.

Hope you got something out of the glory that is Sir Kenneth Robinson.  Rewatch HERE. 

And for the love of all that is good, go find something you're good at...and do it.  I think the world needs more creativity.

Speaking of creativity, good luck on the PSAT.  Wink wink.  I'm sure you'll do great.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Poison" Bel Biv Devoe

Lots of Info - Please Read

Happy Monday, Lovelies -

I hope you had a nice weekend and are enjoying a new week of possibilities.  "Tis the season for head colds, sore throats, and lethargy but I promise two things: 1) daily lemon water will keep you healthy and 2) you can do hard things.  Just attack each task one thing at a time.

Take the next.  Right.  Step.

That being said, here are a few items for you to take care of:

• Please print yourself a copy of THIS or if you don't have a printer, take quality notes on it into your English notebook.  You will need to know this information like the back of your hand as it pertains to the Rhetorical Triangle. HAVE THIS DONE FOR CLASS ON WEDNESDAY.
• I need you to EMAIL me your 1st 6 Weeks Grade Request by Wednesday 10/10.  If you don't email me your request by 3pm Wednesday I will assign you a 70.  Because that would be "below average" work in my eyes.   
• You will need your book Readings for Writers in class (next week) on WEDNESDAY, October 17th.
• You will need your book The Norton Reader in class (next week) on THURSDAY, October 18th. 
• PSAT is this Wednesday.  If you're testing, A-K in the Library, L-Z in the Small Gym.  Good luck! Make sure you check the blog that day to see what you missed.

TED Talk Tuesday tomorrow so come ready to learn.  

Have a happy rest of your day.

Love and Light,

Beltran

Today's Song: "Havana" Camila Cabello

Friday FAST

Dear Lovelies,

Thanks for the effort on the FAST Assessment.  I appreciate you getting the work done. 

Hope you all have a happy and healthy weekend.  I'll see you Monday for some MC.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "ABC" Jackson 5

Soft Opening

Dear Lovelies -

Discussion today.

Opened my eyes.

Speaking of open...Open House tonight.  6pm.

Thanks for today.

And see y'all tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Hey Ya" Outkast

Gratitude

Thank you for the projects and for presenting today.  And thank you to those of you who acknowledged mistakes.

I'm excited that tomorrow we get to engage in our first book discussion.  If you have a copy of LWD please bring it.  If it's one of my copies, for sure bring it back.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Move Your Feet" from Trolls

My Current Thinking & Adichie

Exceptions always prove the rule.  Think about that - when you stand out for anything really, it's because the "average" is doing something else.  In Room 853 there are no grades for a reason.  Mainly there are "pretty" A's and "authentic" A's and you all know the difference - how some of you have gorgeous GPAs but chase grades - or worse, cheat, copy homework, share test answers.  But then there are some of you who blast those typical teen stereotypes to smithereens.  I speak to the exceptions right now when I say, "Thank you, lovelies, for doing your work on time as expected.  You are wholehearted and appreciated and seen."

For those of you who forgot to check the blog, do your work, turn it in, etc. mistakes that don't get acknowledged or fixed become habits.  And habits become character.  And character is WHO YOU ARE.

Who are you being?

Use the time you have been gifted in our classroom to learn and grow because life is coming at you fast.

-TED Talk from today HERE.
-Projects due TOMORROW.
-LWD discussion THURSDAY.
-SAS Friday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Put Your Records On" Corinne Bailey Rae

Gentle Reminder and Happy Monday

Happy Monday, Lovelies -

Don't forget that your Long Way Down discussion questions (posted last week) are due typed by 3pm.  Email them to ybeltran@sandi.net

Thanks for working today on MC #2.  I appreciate your effort.

Enjoy the rest of your day and keep in mind TED Talk tomorrow, project due Wednesday and LWD Discussion on Thursday.  Make sure you bring in any copies of the book that belong to me. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Love on Top" Beyonce