Thursday SAS

Per usual I learned a ton and got the chance to consider different things.  Who could ask for more?

Thanks for sharing, all you presenters. 

MC tomorrow!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Mulan

An Unreal Opportunity

Happy American Like Me Reading Day.  As you read, I write and I come to you with an amazing opportunity.  Before I announce, I am fully aware of financial constraints which is why I am offering extra credit and not a grade. 

If you would like TONS of extra credit for the six weeks, simply bring in items for our Red Cross Box.  The more items you bring, the more extra credit you get.

The Red Cross Club is collecting new

• toothbrushes
• toothpaste
• socks (men's socks size 9-11)
• blankets
• flashlights with batteries

If you are able, please consider heading to The Dollar Tree  or Target or even your local grocery store and buy a few of these items to help someone in need.

Before you donate, make sure I know so I can record your extra points.

Thank you for considering!

For tomorrow, be ready for SAS (that means you have emailed me your work as well - even if it's just a picture of your notes).  Friday we will be doing a practice Multiple Choice.  And as a heads up for next week, Monday (EYC and grading/reviewing Friday's MC), TED Talk Tuesday, in class reading, some AP test prep on Thursday and Friday SAS.

Love and Light and let's fill up our Donation Box!

Beltran

Today's Song(s):  Every class got to pick a different tune :)

TED Talk Tuesday

Hi Lovelies -

Hope you got some "food for thought" after watching today's TED Talk.  You can access it HERE though it is via youtube and I am posting via my gmail and who knows what blockades SDUSD has up.  Just google search it is my point.

Tomorrow will prove to be a mellow reading day.  Per usual, if you borrowed a copy of American Like Me please return it by Period 1 so everybody can read.  I'll let y'all check them out on Thursday at the BEGINNING OF LUNCH (early out schedule)

Enjoy the rest of your day and I will see you tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Karma Chameleon" Culture Club

Monday Article

First off, thank you so much for showing up to class prepared.  Listening to you in your groups (and then in whole group) made me wonder and think all sorts of things.  Too much to articulate now.

Show up tomorrow knowing more about William Deresiewicz.  He'll be our TED Talk rhetor.  Also, schedule is a bit different: 

Wednesday - in class reading (return book by 1st period, please)
Thursday - SAS
Friday - MC #7

See y'all tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "I Want You Back" Jackson Five

Friday SAS

On point today, Lovelies.  I learned a ton about all sorts of different things: fashion, baseball, conspiracies, Navy SEALS, and dare I say it?  "The Bachelor"

Have a beautiful weekend and don't forget to READ THE ARTICLE I POSTED YESTERDAY.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Friday I'm in Love" The Cure

Thursday Heads Up

Lovelies,

You are writing as I type.  Thank you for your effort.

Out of respect for your time, I am giving you a heads up in this blog post.  So hopefully you will read it.  I posted yesterday about ikigai and a few of you contacted me - thank you for that.  In addition, I am aware that your deadline for selecting classes is soon.  Right?  So I am making some changes to our regular scheduled programming and it goes a little like this:

Monday: In class Debate on this article.  So read it, annotate it and come to class ready to talk.  If you don't have a printer, take notes in your spiral.  NO EXCUSES.

Tuesday: TED Talk #19

Wednesday: American Like Me reading

Thursday: MC #7 Practice

Friday: SAS (presentations/work emailed to me before Friday)

Important Info:

• Deadline to order AP tests is Friday, March 15th.  Order NOW.  Use this link.  
• 1:1 Counselor Meetings Thursday, March 7th
• Deadline to have Outliers  read is Wednesday, March 13th. (I don't know how to set a reading schedule for this when you can figure it out on your own.)
• 6 weeks ends on March 15th
• Create Something 2.0 is due for presentation after Spring Break on Monday, April 1st

That's it for now.  Remember to submit your SAS before tomorrow if you want credit.

Love and Light,

Beltran

Today's Song: "Twist" by Chubby Checker

Happy Reading Day

Thank you to the Lovelies who showed up to class and read.  I hope the time was well spent.  Before I talk about tomorrow, I wanted to share a few personal thoughts.

Y'all know I am a mama to two very precocious little ladies - one who would rather shoot hoops than sit with a book and one who seems like a guru trapped in the meatsuit of a child.  I want for them the same things I want for each of you - truly.  I want them to know their value and worth separate from accomplishments or appearance and I want them to be healthy (mentally, physically, spiritually) and happy. 

I want this for you too because a world of broken, lost, fearful people doesn't do any good.  So, if my daughters were picking their senior year classes, I would encourage them with some homemade guacamole (shout out Miss Bobbi - yes, we named our avocado tree).  We'd snack on some grain free chips (Shout out Siete Family Foods - google them my lovelies) and guac and I would listen to them and then offer this advice:

Look at what you prioritize for yourself. 

What do you love?
What are you good at?
What does the world need?
What will get you paid?

The intersection of these 4 answers is your reason for being.

Not all of you love learning in a classroom setting.  Not all of you breathe books.  Not all of you would feel unbalanced without a pen and paper.  And that's okay but don't paint yourself in a corner and sign up for classes that don't fit into your wheelhouse.

I happen to love reading, language, books, learning.  I happen to be good at public speaking, reading a crowd, thinking on the fly, being creative, and seeing things some people miss.  The world needs kindness and empathy.  I make a nice income by educating.

If you don't know what you love, pay attention to what makes you lose track of time.  And if the only answers that pop up are sleeping and mindlessly scrolling the internet, I honestly don't know how to help.  But certainly there's something.

I hope to see you all tomorrow and I hope this simple post has been a reminder that only you have the power to be happy.  If you want to go to college, you will.  There is a school for you. 

Start learning for learning's sake.
Stop chasing grades.
Stop making excuses.
Become the kind of student you know you can be - a student of life who is curious, empathetic and kind. 

Rant over. (By the way, if you are interested in the concept of ikigai, email me.)

If you want to check out a copy of American Like Me, stop by my room tomorrow at NOON.

Bring your notes to class tomorrow.  Assessment Time.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey

Malcolm Gladwell TED Talk

Welcome back, Lovelies.

I hope you had a wonderful day back at school.  I for one was happy to see you all although admittedly, I am a much better Me after I wake up a bit.

Here's the TED Talk for today - number 18 by my tally.  To be clear, it is expected that you rewatch the TED Talk, take quality notes and connect all the dots going all the way back to the first week of school.

Tomorrow we will be reading American Like Me and I AM BEYOND THRILLED.  If you borrowed a book from me, I need them back by Period 1 please.  And per usual, I will allow books to be checked out BUT I am making a change.  If you would like to check out a copy, you may do so during LUNCH on Thursday 2/21.  I want everyone to have an equal chance and the way I was doing it before just wasn't fair.

As for the week ahead: reading tomorrow, in class assessment on your reading Thursday - no need to study and you'll be able to use notes and Friday is SAS.  You need to email me or share your SAS before class on Friday.  If you have questions about that, email me or talk to me. 

I'll see you tomorrow for some reading time.  And how I wish I was loaded with cash so I could serve up some warm croissants and muffins paired with your choice of oj, hot tea, cocoa or coffee.  Someday, y'all.  Someday. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor as featured in Rocky III 

Why Isn't Every Week 4 Days?

Truth.

I hope y'all have enjoyed (and are still enjoying) some time away from school.  In prep for tomorrow, please research Malcolm Gladwell as your rhetor.  His name is one you all know so show up prepped.

See you tomorrow,
Beltran

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi Lovelies,

May each of your days be filled with the positive love and support you deserve.  :)

Thanks for discussing American Like Me and offering up your opinions and insights into America Ferrera's book.  I hope you get the chance to read more over the long weekend.  Remember that I need the books back BEFORE 1st period on WEDNESDAY.  

Enjoy the long weekend and I'll see you for TED Talk Tuesday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

P.S. - I'll post the rhetor and a "Week Ahead" post by Sunday night.

Today's Song: "For Once in My Life" Stevie Wonder

American Like Me Discussion Tomorrow

Hi, Lovelies -

I certainly love teaching you but nothing beats seeing you with books...reading.  I don't say it enough, but thank you.  I hope you're learning something or considering things in a different way.  One of my all-time favorite book characters, dear old Boo Radley, said it best at the end of To Kill A Mockingbird didn't he?

To prep for tomorrow, please have thought out answers to the questions I posted on Monday's second blog post.  You don't need to have essays written, but I am expecting more than some "off the top of your head" answers.

In terms of groups, we will organize based on what essays people have read so be willing to share that.  And looking ahead, start thinking about an essay that resonates with you the most.  I have a couple that spoke to the core of who I am because of content and style, and I am intrigued by what is (or isn't) catching your eye.

Also, Mr. Posternack will be stopping by each of my classes to chat with you about AP Literature.  FYI.  If you have any questions, be ready to ask them.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "This Old Heart of Mine" by The Isley Brothers

TED Talk Tuesday

Dear Lovelies,

Today's TED Talk can be accessed HERE. While I found the rhetor to have some gaps in her logic, I did appreciate her main tenet that we each possess an attribution bias that can lead to internally or externally crafting narratives that cast us as the victim or hero in our stories.

We engage in daily fiction and become defensive in critical learning situations such as when our core beliefs and values are questioned. 

Metacognition, or basically thinking about thinking, can prevent a lot of default settings or habituated learning patterns.  The more times you bump into something, the more apparent it is that you still have something to learn.

I'm excited that tomorrow is going to be a READING DAY.  Scream it from the rooftops and come to class ready to read. If you borrowed a copy of the book, I need them all back by 1st period please.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Just One Look" Doris Troy

Second Monday Post - Thursday's Discussion Questions

Lovelies,

Thursday you will all be participating in small group book discussions based on the essays you've read.  I haven't decided if the groups will be self-assigned or assigned by me so stay tuned.  In the meantime, here are the discussion questions you will be using.

To prep, you can go all in and write out answers and support with textual evidence or you can err on the side of minimal effort and just "think" about your answers.  (If only I could include a laughing emoji here.)

• In Outliers, our second mandatory read, author Malcolm Gladwell posits that a person's phenomenal success can (to a certain degree) be a combination of preparedness and opportunity - essentially what we like to call "luck".  In the essays you've read thus far, what is each rhetor's "outlier" moment?
• One of the main reasons I selected this text as a mandatory read is because of its obvious connection to Chimamanda Adichie's TED Talk "The Danger of a Single Story".  Even if you haven't connected per se to an essay, what "single stories" have your found in your reading?
• Oftentimes, the ways stories are told in mainstream media stems directly from who has the power.  What books and movies from your childhood are the ones that "stand out"? What characters are beloved?  What movies resonated with you?
• What do you know about your family's history/immigration story?  What is your origin story?
• Many college application essays include a question that centers around identity.  What makes you you?

See y'all tomorrow.  

Love and Light,

Beltran

Monday Musings

Hello, Lovelies -

Thanks for writing your EYC and participating in the MC practice for today.  If you have any questions, feel free to stop by during Advisory tomorrow or Wednesday.

In other news, if you are interested in signing up for your AP tests, all the info is online on the school website - the home page.  I'm posting a link HERE but in case it doesn't work, just figure it out.  If you need a fee waiver, see Mrs. Denney.

Tomorrow we will be watching the aforementioned (on a previous blog post) TED Talk.  Come to class with your rhetor research done please.  If we have any extra time, you'll be able to read some American Like Me.

NO SAS THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY.  NO NEED TO SUBMIT AN EMAIL PRESENTATION.

I'll see y'all tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

As Promised - A Look Ahead at Our Week

Happy Saturday, Lovelies -

I hope you are enjoying your weekend even though it's a bit cold and gray.

We spoke at the beginning of the semester about a little "heads up" for curriculum so out of respect for your time and all the other things in your life, here's a look at our week. 

Monday: Empty Your Cup #3 (thoughts on American Like Me) and MC #6 Practice
Tuesday: TED Talk Suzanne Duncan  (feel free to set up your Rhetorical Triangle, watch, etc.)
Wednesday:  American Like Me in class reading (if you're already done with the book, bring another one to read or see me for a recommended title)
Thursday: Class discussion based on questions that will be posted on the blog Monday night.

I'm sure you haven't forgotten, but you have a 4 day weekend upcoming.  YAY!

Also, my little one seems to have a cold so on the off chance I have to stay home and take care of her, you'll need to use the blog to stay updated but most of you already do that so no worries. 

Have a great rest of your day. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Fri-YAY

I learned so much today. But the koala presentation...wow.

Do some reading over the weekend and I’ll see y’all Monday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: “Africa” by Toto

***UPDATED*** American Like Me Questions to Consider

Hi again.  I was just rereading the blog post and I confused myself.  Am I asking you to answer the questions just for the first few essays or all of them?  I'd like you to consider them for each essay as you get to them.  Consider it your post-reading reflection of sorts.  

As for the first question of when the essay was written, they were all obviously written in 2017/2018 upon America Ferrera's request.  But since you're making rhetorical triangles that factoid would be included with context.

Finally, a former lovely mentioned she heard some rumblings about the book list when some of y'all were leaving class after I passed out the list.  Remember my advice about acting, saying, doing ALL things as if someone is watching/listening/recording???  You should really listen to my advice.  Someone is always listening and who you are when "no one" is watching, is your CHARACTER.  But thanks for still talking about class after the bell rings and about books no less!
********************************************************************************************

Dear Lovelies,

Thanks for reading today and feeding your mind (and dare I say, soul??).  You should have annotated into your Reading Journal and maybe read a few essays.  Assuming you completed the Introduction, Reshma Saujani, Al Madrigal, and Jenny Zhang please answer the following questions in your notes.

If you haven't read these yet, answer the questions when you do.

For each of the essays, consider the Rhetorical Triangle (and DRAW ONE - these notes will save you when it comes time for a quizzity quiz.) 

Specifically, consider the "exigence" (all the circumstances surrounding the writing - and a FAVORITE buzz word for the AP Language test/SAT/ACT).  

• When was the essay written?
• What were the personal and historical circumstances of the time?
• Who is the rhetor?  Did you research beyond just reading? At the very least google them so you know what they look like and what they're up to.
• What tone/style does each entry possess?  (I thought Al Madrigal's piece was like an extended joke whereas Jenny Zhang's leaned more toward a commentary on the American Dream.)
• Who do you think the intended audience is for the book?

Since you know how I don't appreciate disrespecting people or their time, heads up that you'll need to jot down answers to the questions above for each of the essays you read.  Just make it a habit to add to your Reading Journal.  

More reading time next Wednesday.  And if you want to check out the book, stop by right after 5th.  the best time to check out a book would be over the weekend (and we have a 4 day weekend coming up next week so...)

Thanks again for reading.

And the first SAS is tomorrow!

Love and Light,

Beltran

Today's Song: "Party in the USA" Miley Cyrus

American Like Me

Hi Lovelies -

Thanks for participating the in Q&A today regarding classes.  I hope the senior insight was helpful.  Keep in mind that you need to register online by February 24th and your Counseling Office day will be Thursday, March 7th.

We set up a reading journal today for American Like Me and got a jump on reading.  Plan on in class time to devour the book tomorrow and on the following Wednesdays: 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, and 3/6.  Maybe make a playlist for books??

First SAS of the semester will be on Friday.  5-4-3-2-1 on that opportunity.

Enjoy the rest of your day and I'll see you tomorrow in class.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" Paul Anka

P.S. - If you want to check out a copy of American Like Me, please see me at the end of period 5 and return the book by Period 1 the next day or after the weekend.  It's a class set.  :)

Post PAC

Hi Lovelies -

Hope you are beginning to think about next year's schedule.  Tomorrow in class we will be discussing senior classes so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.  We will also be previewing American Like Me.  Some of you have already started reading it, but I want you to come to class with your answer to the following question:  What does it mean to be American to you?  I don't expect an essay but I certainly expect more than "Oh, the answer's in my head."  In fact, have your response written on an index card or half sheet of paper and I'll take it at the door.  An "entrance slip" if you will.

See y'all then.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: the wind outside the PAC

Meet Me in the PAC Tomorrow...

...I'll be the one in black.  :)

Check in with me before the presentations please.

Wednesday we will return to class and watch our TED Talk and then Thursday we will start our reading of American Like Me. Or maybe no TED Talk and just diving right in to the essays on what it means to be American.

By the way, Run For Cover Bookstore down in OB (4912 Voltaire St.) has an entire shelf dedicated to our book list.  I know spending money on books is a luxury but if you have the means, supporting a local independent bookstore is pretty much the cat's meow. Also, brainstorm: comment if you would be interested in winning a gift certificate/gift card for there. 

Wishing you a glorious rest of your day.  I'll see y'all tomorrow in the PAC.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Le Freak" CHIC

It's Raining

Happy Saturday, Lovelies -

I just hopped on to say hi and to wish you all a happy rainy weekend day away from school.  I am currently taking a break from reading your Holiday Letters.  In line with sympathetic joy, I am so hopeful that all of your goals come true.  Happy, whole people make the world a better place.

I started my morning off with the chopping off of my hair.  Just felt like it.  And I am convinced there is some sort of allergen in my room because my eyes have been red and itchy all week but magically, they clear up by the time I am halfway home.  So, don't be surprised if you see me Monday with less hair, some eye drops and my glasses.  :)

Enjoy the rest of your day and know I am beaming you all some standard issue love and light.

Beltran (future inhabitant of Magical Bungalow B6)

P.S. - In case I failed to mention it, I'll have a table of FREE stuff every Wednesday (unless cancelled) at noon.  I'm Marie Kondo-ing my classroom.   

Friday Roundup

Dear Lovelies,

Great job today with your letters.  I can't wait to read them all.  A couple announcements as you head into the weekend:

• My room number next year will be B6.  I know.
• RYLA is looking for applicants.  Check this link out. Mrs. Hedges in Room 202 has more info.  It's a great camp.
• Also, Ms. Cooper in the LIBRARY has 140 copies of Cracking the AP Language.  First come first serve for check out.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love and Light,

Beltran

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