Bye Bye TED

Dear Lovelies,

I hope TED Talk Tuesdays will have a special place in your Memory Palace as you venture forward in the direction of your dreams. 

The last one for Room 853 goes down as James Veitch's TED Talk on spam email. 

Don't forget One Pagers are due tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Rainy Monday

Hi Lovelies -

Thanks for the effort today particularly when the weather is gray and gloomy.  Tomorrow we will watch our last TED Talk of the year, and then on Wednesday we will look at Synthesis Q3 as well as do a little bit of essay overview.  Friday is the last day of the 6 weeks so please make sure you present (and don't forget your One Pagers are due Wednesday as well.)

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

Love and Light,
Beltran

SAS

Knitting.
Music.
Animals.
Athletics.
World Events.
Culture.
Business.

Another great SAS. One more Friday to come...

Good luck tomorrow if you’re taking the practice test. Library between 8:30-9:00, bring paper, pens, and pencils. Don’t forget a snack!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Songs: All over the place!

Last Child in the Woods

Personal aside:  Go outside.  I dare you.  And then don't post about it. 

Here's the link to access the model essays you will be looking at today.  Pay attention to what separates the three anchor papers.  And steal the ideas!

You've Got An Easy Assignment To Complete

Hi Lovelies,

I feel like I keep saying how important it is to check the blog daily and here I am proving how true that statement is.  I've decided not to collect TED Talk Notes on 5/1 and in lieu will be using your TED Talk Chart as the entered grade.  So thank you for turning it in. 

That means that on Wednesday, 5/1, you will simply need to turn in your One Pager on a book from the Book List unless you have already spoken to me about another book.  Also keep in mind that you can submit more than one One Pager and boost your grade. 

In addition to that info, Extra Credit for those of you who signed up for Saturday's Practice Test.  In order to make it more worth your time, I would review the components of a Synthesis Essay from a test prep book.  You're likely familiar with the format especially if you are enrolled in APUSH.

Finally, all of you need to sign up for my Google Classroom Page.  I decided to use it so you can submit your TED Talk Transcripts there and I can archive them in case there are any issues with your final grade.  I will also upload the TED Talk Rubric to the page along with tips and helpful hints. 

In order to join the class page, complete the following steps:
1.  Go to www.classroom.google.com
2.  On the Classroom Page, click ADD + > Join Class.
3.  Enter the Code 1moby3 and click Join.

I'll give you until Friday to join and I'll add it as an easy (hopefully) grade.

Peer Review on Q2 tomorrow and SAS on Friday.  ONLY 2 more chances ever to present an SAS!!!! And only 32 more days of school!!!!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Brain Drain Left Me Drained

Excellent job playing today. The power of whiteboards and competition.

Thank you for the effort and now off to put my feet up.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Monday Quiz Day

Thank you for showing up to take the quiz today.  And thank you also to those of you who let me know ahead of time about your absences.  I'll be working on grading your quizzes this week so stay tuned.

Also, heads up that your TED Talk Charts are due tomorrow.  Either bring in a hard copy or share it with me via Google Docs.  (Thank you to those who already did.)  We will be playing Brain Drain tomorrow so be thinking about your teams...the focus will be on TED Talks and the rhetors along with random common knowledge and trivia like BEYONCE songs.

Wednesday and Thursday we will be working on Q2.  The AP test is in about three weeks, so every little bit of practice helps.  And, of course, Friday is SAS.  I will be speaking to each class individually about what I am looking for in the final 2 slots we have left for SAS.

Gentle reminders regarding the work that will be due on Wednesday 5/1.  Comment below and tell me what's due.  The first 5 comments will earn some sweet treats because why not??

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: The doom of taking a quiz...

Only Two More SAS Days

Lovelies,

Have a great weekend, and a quick shout out to Period 4 for the singing.  That lifted my spirits in ways you'll likely never know.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Since there are only 2 more chances to present (4/26 and 5/3), I'd say focus up.  And if you want to present more than once it will help your grade.

Speaking of grades, vocabulary quiz Monday and don't forget the approaching deadlines for one pagers and such.  I'm not going to be very forgiving about grades especially when I was very clear about what would be expected. 

Ending on a positive note, hope to see you at the dodgeball tournament later.  My kiddos and I will be there supporting our favorite PLHS teacher. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Give Your Heart a Break" by Demi Lovato

College Fair Day & 2010 Q2

For those of you in class today, we are reading and analyzing the 2010 Q2 Model Essays.  On the back of your Banneker Prompt, please score and comment on essays 2A, 2B and 2C. 

Access those essays HERE.

Wonky Day

Y'all I saw pictures of the bungalows.  Insert sad face here.  Then as I was complaining (I know, I know, don't complain...) Becker came over the announcement to say a gas line had been hit.  Whoa.  Thus the chaos begins.

Kudos to period 5 for dealing with the weirdness as we tried to pretend we weren't concerned with a gas line being cut...no big deal, right?  At any rate, we dissected the 2010 Banneker prompt so if you were absent, get notes from a classmate.  And if you listened to my Q2 hacks, finish up the chart I showed you to make.  It can be the difference between a passing score and the alternative.

For those of you in class tomorrow, we will do some more test prep.  If you're going to the College Fair, have fun and enjoy.  See you Friday for SAS.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Freedom" by George Michael

Your TED Talk Should Be a Reflection of Who You Are

Will Stephen's TED Talk is everything a TED Talk should be - funny, smart, and clever.  On a deeper level it stands as an example of the structure a TED Talk should follow.  Rewatch and learn.

Tomorrow we will jump into Q2 Rhetorical Analysis - come ready. 

And if you are going to be absent on Thursday, we will be writing on a prompt that I will post tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "My Guy" by Mary Wells

All Over the Place

Honestly I am conflicted as a teacher when it comes to the system I am a part of and the core values and beliefs I hold dear.  Education is beautiful.  Schooling is not.  Agree or disagree as you wish but know that the basic skills you need cannot be found just in a textbook. 

Be good at all you do - not because you are perfect - but because you give it your whole heart.

These are my thoughts after reading some EYCs and watching y'all take MC today.

Tomorrow be ready for a fun TED Talk to help you with yours and Wednesday we will be attacking Rhetorical Analysis essays.  These are generally the most challenging but as usual, your success on them centers around whether or not you can actively read with a mind at work.

See y'all tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Have it All" by Jason Mraz

The Vibe Was Strange All Day and Then Period 5 Showed Up

Happy Friday, Lovelies -

Very few words for my post today - as usual a wonderful, joyous experience of sharing time and space while we have it.

Have a happy weekend be safe.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: All over the place - and a spontaneous dance battle in period 5.  Wow, eAiden, wow.

Model Essays - 2015

Hi Lovelies -

Happy Thursday.  Please access THIS LINK  to read the three model essays for the "Polite Speech" prompt. 

:)

The Value of Polite Speech

Hi Lovelies -

You worked in small groups today to think and write about the 2015 Q3 prompt on the function or value of polite speech.  Tomorrow in class we will be discussing your claims and evidence as well as looking at released model essays. 

Any of you who want to write the essay for practice, feel free.  I can score it for you.

Also, I mentioned how Aug Pie got scared last night after watching "Jeopardy".  If you watch tonight (7:30 on NBC) take a selfie and you can earn some extra credit.  But actually watch for real.  Cheating on that is a bit beyond lame.

And as a reminder, this Friday is our chance to finish CS 2.0 (if needed) and begin our last round EVER of SAS.  Seriously, let that sink in.  SAS ends on 5/3 FOREVER.  :(  The following Friday 5/10 is a Study Hall for the test, 5/17 we are tearing down my room, 5/24 there is no school, 5/31 is block schedule time for TED Talks and 6/7 is the first day of Finals.  And speaking of SAS, I want the best ones ever.  Solid, interesting, thoughtful, maybe even heartwarming so Room 853 can get the last of the good vibes.

See you tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Played different ones so...check the playlist.

TED Talk Tuesday - Review

Hi Lovelies -

I'm typing this as my second period works and chats.  Some notable lines:

"I'm wondering how many words I've misspelled in my life...and I was like whoa."

"Then he said, Dude, don't worry bro."

"J*&b just did something wrong."

"Why are you being so angry?"

Now for the rest of the day:

"I wear these to track meets to protest."

"He fractured my foot."

"You have to use two fingers."

"No need for the attitude, A."

"Calm down, E."

I wish I had been writing down quotes all year.

At any rate, some important info:

Take your Create Something Projects home please.
RETURN MY BOOKS PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
Vocab Quiz on Monday 4/22
Brain Drain Game #1 Tues 4/23 (TED Talk Chart due)
AP Practice Exam on Saturday 4/27

Tomorrow we will be writing and working in groups so be ready.  A little different than before.

Enjoy the rest of the day and to my period 5 Lovelies, I hope your day gets better if it's been a little bleh. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Right Here Right Now" by Jesus Jones

Lots of Monday Info

Lovelies -

Read up.

Bring all of your TED Talk notes to class tomorrow.  Instead of watching a TED Talk, we will be reviewing the TED Talks we've already seen in order to have them as quality evidence for the AP essays.

You have a Vocabulary Quiz on Monday the 22nd so be ready.

And if you want to take the practice test on Saturday, April 27th, make sure to sign up via the google doc (previously posted) by Wednesday the 24th. If there are any issues, let me know and I can help. 

I have about 15 free AP test prep books for the taking.  I'll have them out at at the beginning of lunch TOMORROW if you want one.

And finally, A JUNIOR LEVEL ASSEMBLY TOMORROW in the BIG GYM during ADVISORY.  Make sure you go.

See y'all tomorrow,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers

PS - Can't wait to dance with Period 4 tomorrow!!!

On the Train to Nowhere

Dear Lovelies,

27 classes until the AP Language Exam and I couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off our work for the next few weeks than with a wonderful week of Create Something 2.0.  In all truth, presentations are a rollercoaster of ups and downs but it never fails to impress me, the talent and intelligence that gets overlooked in a typical classroom.  Maybe our class isn't what you like or enjoy, but I do know that all of you will look back on your days at PL and remember - good or bad - our time together.

We're going to end this shared experience in June so open your hands and embrace what's left before it's too late.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Dancing's Not a Crime" by Panic at the Disco

Candy Cane Shanks and Strange Room 853 Mojo

Dear Lovelies -

I am convinced Room 853 knows she's nearing the end because the funniest/strangest things keep happening.  Create Something continues to be a rollercoaster ride and I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. 

Unfortunately, we hit the tougher part of the year with systematic AP test prep and general stress levels rise.  Just stay calm and know it all goes as it must. If you are taking the AP Language exam, you will be ready.

Have a great afternoon and I'll see y'all tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: The Clash "Rock the Casbah"

Create Something 2.0

The fun continued today from avocado face masks to live performances to websites, merchandise, insightful forward thinking ideas with disposable cameras to a new club that will offer free SAT and ACT tutoring.

I think I forget (and a lot of teachers forget) how there is such a distinct difference between school and education.  I hope seeing and hearing from your peers reminds you of the difference.

Today will go down in the books because of so many things.  But mostly, "Where did Isaac go?" Wow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: Avril L. and Skater Boy (I know, not spelled like that)

Day 2 of CS 2.0

Another fascinating day. Thanks for that.

Remember to sign up for the practice AP test. See yesterday’s blog post.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: “Meet in the Middle” Diamond Rio