Happy Friday

I hope your vacation has been good to you.  I just wanted to quickly post a reminder that your Create Something 2.0 projects are due on Monday.  Because there are so many of you who didn't sign up to present, YOU SHOULD ALL BE READY TO GO.  I might call on you.

Enjoy the last couple days away and I will see you Monday.  47 school days left before finals...but who's counting???

Love and Light,
Beltran

Happy Vacation

Dear Lovelies -

Happy Spring Break to you all.  I hope you have fun and are safe.  Before you get too far into vacation (or maybe you're checking this and it's Sunday night before our return) please understand that on Monday, April 1st, CREATE SOMETHING 2.0 Projects are due.  I think some of you signed up for presentations on Monday but even if you didn't YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO PRESENT.  If you don't present, that gets recorded as a zero.  Boo.

I'll post who signed up next weekend.  Check back then.

Enjoy your break.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Thank You

Good job today on model essays and peer feedback.  I appreciate it.

Tomorrow is the first SAS opportunity of the six weeks so...let's go.  Can't wait.

And happy ALMOST Spring Break!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Ain't No Stopping Us Now"

In Class Essay #1

Thank you for your presence in class today.  It truly is a pleasure to see those of you who not only show up but SHOW UP.  Much respect to period 1 in particular - the "singers" who volunteered were incredible.  I appreciate you and your wholeheartedness. And thank you to the humans who upgraded their airline seats to first class.  The view is much better up here...

Speaking of respect, kudos to some ladies in period 4 who requested the Jonas Brothers song that made people so happy.  Excellent song choice before having to sit and write.

Those essays you churned out will be peer reviewed tomorrow.  If you were absent then you'll have to play catch up.

Don't forget our new SAS format for Friday and Create Something 2.0 sign ups were posted at lunch today.  All of you need to have your work on Monday, April 1st regardless if you're presenting. Also, out of respect for you and your time, below you will find Literary Terms for AP Language.  You will be quizzed on them.  The first quiz will be on Monday, April 22nd. (See what I did there?)

Don't let the volume of the list freak you out, just read it.  You already know most of them.  BREATHE.  And all I will ask is that you define the terms and offer examples.  No tricks.  This should help boost your grade. 

1.  rhetorical question - a question asked in order to have a dramatic effect; EX: You really expect me to study all these words?

HERE YA GO:

allegory, alliteration, allusion, anaphora, antithesis, aphorism, appeals to authority/emotion/logic, apostrophe, assonance, asyndeton, attitude, begging the question, canon, chiasmus, colloquial, conceit, concession, connotation, consonance, critique, deductive reasoning, denotation, dialect, diction, didactic, elegy, epistrophe, epitaph, ethos, eulogy, euphemism, exposition, extended metaphor, fallacy, figurative language, flashback, genre, homily, hyperbole, imagery, inductive reasoning, inference, irony, jargon, juxtaposition, litote, logos, loose sentence, metaphor, metonymy, mood, narrative, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, paradox, parallel structure, pathos, periodic sentence, personification, point of view, prose, realism, rebuttal, rhetoric, rhetorical question, sarcasm, satire, simile, symbolism, synecdoche, syntax, theme, tone, voice

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Year 3000" by the Jonas Brothers

Thursday In Class Work

When you read the Released Essays, please make sure you don't peek and steal a glance at what College Board gave the work.  AFTER you've read the 3 essays AND filled out page 2 of the Peer Review Worksheet, you can look. 

How close did you get to the 1-9 scores?  Anything shock you?

*I'll update this post later so make sure you come back.**

Dr. Duckworth

Angela Duckworth's TED Talk is short and to the point.  About 7 minutes long, it proves you can craft a solid TED Talk in less than 10 minutes.  Sorta like the one you have to create for your final! You have weeks and weeks to think and create your own TED Talk and I can't wait to see and hear what you do.

I'll pass out the rubric at the beginning of May and I will put sign up sheets out then too.  Speaking of sign up sheets, the Create Something 2.0 slots will be posted Wednesday at lunch.  Also, if you're interested in your Grit Score, take the quiz here.

Tomorrow and Thursday we will be working on Essay #1.  If want some heads up tips, you can do a little preview HERE.  Friday is your SAS opportunity.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "High Horse" Kacey Musgrave

So Many Thoughts

Dear Lovelies,

Some of you no doubt have a lot of opinions and thoughts about grades and this class and me and school and life.  All I can say is that each day offers an opportunity to do better.  You have 12 more weeks as a student in Room 853 and then boom.  No more.  Ever.

I reviewed grades and expectations for the next six weeks so if you were absent, please see a classmate and they can fill you in.  If something doesn't make sense, please ask.

Tomorrow we will watch our TED Talk and I will review expectations for the final.  I will also share the rubric (yes, rubric) with you.

Wednesday and Thursday we are working on an in class essay.  Friday is SAS.

I ALSO WOULD LIKE MY COPIES OF LONG WAY DOWN, OUTLIERS, TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS and AMERICAN LIKE ME back.  

Rhetor for tomorrow is Angela Duckworth.

Have a beautiful day.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" Marvin Gaye

Sunday

One more class of grades but I’ll finish tomorrow.

Please gear up for the next 6 weeks particularly those of you who want to end the semester with “A”. But then again what is an “A”?

See y’all tomorrow,
Beltran

I’ll Write More Later...

...but for now just a thank you and heads up to check back before Monday.

Happy Weekend,
Beltran

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Dear Lovelies,

Thank you for the discussion today. 

If you'd like to go down the most fantastic rabbit hole of knowledge, feel free to check out this link.  We are all interconnected and our existence is the result of other people's decisions. Every choice has consequences.  Luck, preparedness, opportunity.  I just can't stop thinking about who we come from and what makes us who we are.

Tomorrow is the last SAS of the 6 weeks.  Can't wait.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "I Think We're Alone Now"

Outliers

Hi Lovelies,

Here is the article I referenced today.  From the Chicago Tribune, I think the reporter does a solid job of pointing out how our culture perpetuates prestige. Read it and consider what you think.

Thanks also for the Outliers discussion. We will continue tomorrow so if you didn't SPEAK, there is still TOMORROW.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Better Now"

TED Talk Tuesday

Afternoon, Lovelies -

Last TED Talk of the six weeks.  Woo hoo!  58 more school days.  How is that even possible when it feels like I just printed out rosters for the classes and you were all just a bunch of names? Wow.  At any rate, access the TED Talk HERE.

I think Daniel Pink argues some interesting claims and I mostly enjoy his perspective because I struggle daily with motivation - whether it be avoiding the snooze button on my alarm or eating food that is healthy for me, even motivating myself to write every day and practice gratitude.  It ain't easy. I also struggle daily with my participation in a system that is obviously (based on feedback today) not working for a lot of you.  I think J put it best in my period 2 - students are the products, teachers are the workers. 

Be sure to rewatch the TED Talk and take some quality notes.

In terms of discussion for tomorrow, just show up having read the book.  Do come with at least one thing/issue you found interesting/discussion worthy.  Let's start there.

See y'all tomorrow (or not).

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Love on Top" Beyonce

Multiple Choice Monday

Hi Lovelies,

Below is the "homework" you are expected to complete.  It connects to our Multiple Choice passage from today.  I know you have a lot to do since Outliers needs to be read by Wednesday so I am giving you until MONDAY 3/18 to complete this.  

I have high standards for the work I expect you to do with this piece and I am going to hold you to them because I know you can reach them.  Do not half "butt" this work.  (Since it's due Monday 3/18, it will count as the first significant grade for the new grading period but I hope you are more motivated by the deliberate practice than you are by the carrot I am dangling for you to chase.)

This is good stuff and good for you too. 

You should have started most of this, but I am posting all of the steps and including a delicious link.  

Multiple Choice Deliberate Practice

1.       Read through the passage AND the questions once and annotate (that means define) every unknown  vocabulary word.  

2.       Read through the passage again and annotate for understanding. 

3.       What is the rhetor’s main point in paragraph 1, 2, etc.? (8 total)

4.       How does paragraph 2 connect to paragraph 1? How does paragraph 3 connect to paragraph 2? (continue through to how paragraph 8 connects to paragraph 7)

5.       What is the rhetor’s “big picture” purpose and main point in the passage as a whole?

6.       Did the rhetor convince you? Interest you? Lead you to disagree strongly? How did the rhetor achieve an effect on you as the reader? (Nowhere in this is room for your like or dislike of the text. Your job as a thoughtful consumer is to THINK about what the rhetor’s purpose is and how they are using rhetorical devices/strategies/tools to achieve it [their purpose].)

7.       After accessing the link on the blog and reading the article (Go down the rabbit hole if you want to but at the very least) answer this: Who is the rhetor of this passage and what impact do you think he/she had on their intended audience?

Access THIS LINK.

NOW, go back and answer the 16 questions.  

Thanks for all the effort.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "All 4 Love" Color Me Badd

Friday SAS

Happy Weekend, Lovelies -

I absolutely enjoyed the SAS today.  Every class had something beyond phenomenal happen.  And while I am proud of each presenter, I must say that I was particularly overjoyed at some of the new voices I heard in Period 2.  I think we often forget how scary presenting can be and we teachers (yes, myself included) start to think that a lack of presenting is indicative of a disinterest in class or a lack of concern for an education.  I'm proud of the people who presented, and I hope they know that they are seen, heard and valued.

As a preview for next week, there's some big stuff.  The 6 weeks ends on Friday so I will be posting a checklist you will need to submit to me by Thursday.  (Look for this on a Monday or Tuesday blog post.) It will be a part of the first assessment. 

Monday we will be working on MC.
Tuesday is our TED Talk.
Wednesday is the Outliers deadline.  If you show up, I will assume you read the WHOLE book. Don't disappoint.  We will be having class discussions/activities on Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday is the final SAS for the first 6 weeks.


Have a great weekend and get some reading done.  AND SIGN UP FOR YOUR AP TESTS IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THEM.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Ask Cameron :)

 

Thursday Meeting Success

Lovelies,

Thank you for meeting with your counselors today.  I hope you used your time wisely and are happy with your future schedule.

Tomorrow is SAS so please make sure you've sent me your work or shown it to me.  I look forward to learning and opening my own hands to what you have to offer. I usually walk away with a lot more knowledge. 

Sorry to period 5 for having to leave early.  I'm sure you managed. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Nada

Counselor Meetings Tomorrow and Other Info

Happy Wednesday, Lovelies -

As you know, y'all are headed to the Counselor's Office tomorrow to select your Senior Year Classes.  Head Counselor Brandl sent the message below.  Make sure you read it and take care of your business.

Also, I need back any books you still have from Semester 1.  I only have 16 copies of Tiny Beautiful Things and I started with over 40.  If you're holding on to a copy of that or frankly any other book from months ago PLEASE RETURN MY BOOKS. 

from Mrs. Brandl:

"We look forward to meeting with junior class the next couple of days!

Please help us remind the students that if they are electing to take Mesa College classes they MUST complete the necessary steps.

1. Go online to Mesa College  LINK HERE
2. They will receive an email confirmation with their CSID #. This is very important! They must write this number on their . . .
3. Completed Yellow form. We need two copies of the yellow form, for Fall and Spring= with their CSID #, and signatures front and back!

The Fall 2019 Application is live now!

Getting these form back in a timely manner has been a huge issue for us. We appreciate your help!!!"

Love and Light,

Beltran

P.S. - Have independent work for after your meeting tomorrow.

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

TED Talk Tuesday - Guest Post by Aja

"What's kickin' little chickin?  Don't forget to brush and floss.  That's very important.  I have floss in my backpack." - Aja 

Here's the TED Talk from today compliments of the lovely Brene Brown. 

Bring back my books before period 1.

See you then.

"Shoot, I never thought about this.  Gosh. Toodles." - Aja

Today's Song: "Drift Away" Dobie Gray

Throwing it Back

Lovelies -

Thank you for a fabulous Monday.  It was a nice day. 

For tomorrow, we are going back to the beginning. 

Who was our original TED Talk rhetor?  Remember her? 

We'll be watching her second talk tomorrow so make sure you re-research her and even watch the TED Talk ahead of time if it helps with your notes.

Wednesday we're reading American Like Me (please bring back my books before period 1) and Thursday is Counselor Meeting Day.  I'd bring  extra work since once you're done, we will be having a Study Hall.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line

Hi Lovelies

Happy Sunday Everyone -

Sorry I wasn't there Friday but I'm sure you survived.  :)

You should have done your Multiple Choice (except Period 5 which attended the Poetry Symposium).  That means the week ahead looks a little like this...

Monday - EYC and grading Multiple Choice (Period 5: EYC and taking the MC)
Tuesday - TED Talk (I'll post the rhetor tomorrow but she should be familiar)
Wednesday - last in class reading day for American Like Me (how far along are you??? Comment below but I won't publish...just for me.)
Thursday - Counselor Meetings to lock in your Senior Year Schedule (You'll have a Study Hall when you return to class so bring work)
Friday - SAS (please email me your work by Thursday)

Love and Light,
Beltran