Lemons

I have a happiness headache because that's just how the Universe works.  I swirl in magic and today is no exception.  After a disappointing start to the day, I was reminded that when life gives you lemons, listen to Sebastian. 

If you were here, you know. 

That's it.

Have a beautiful weekend and if you're headed to prom, be safe. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

P.S. - TED Talks will continue on Monday and at last, we will be back on a "normal" schedule.

Day One is in the Books

I can't out anybody with names but I loved everyone's TED Talks today.  Just the mere act of showing up is difficult, and I wholeheartedly thank all of the Lovelies who presented. 

I offered my compliments in each class but for all of you who didn't get a chance to witness the bowtie and the button down, the sick shoes and style, just know that Room 853 was all about the intersection of purpose and vulnerability.

Kudos to you all.

TED Talks continue tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Retta Rocks

A HUGE thank you to Retta for her ownership of today's classes.  The improv games were equally fun and uncomfortable - the perfect intersection of growth.  I hope periods 2 and 4 had fun.

TED Talks start tomorrow and I cannot wait!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Thank You, Clara

Dear Lovelies,

If you weren’t lucky enough to be in class today, I’m sorry for what you missed. The senior class valedictorian delivered a beautiful and informative presentation on all things college. While I know college isn’t on everyone’s agenda, Clara succinctly organized a “How To” for you. I can’t thank her enough and certainly hope those of you in attendance will ACTUALLY THANK HER.

Your TED Talk transcripts were due this morning at 8am. Fingers crossed you didn’t disappoint. And presentations begin on Thursday!

Another wonderful guest speaker tomorrow for Periods 2&4.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Happy Four Day

Lovelies -

Enjoy your 4 day weekend (or 5 day if you started early).  Stay safe and I'll see Periods 1, 3, and 5 on Tuesday.  The senior class valedictorian will be presenting on all things college and I personally cannot wait.

Love and Light,
Beltran

One More Day

Almost to the long weekend, Lovelies.

I’ll see periods 2 and 4 tomorrow so I look forward to that. Thanks to periods 1, 3 and 5 for a good day...from calories of granola bars to dancing to Post-It Notes.

Enjoy the rain,
Beltran

Time for TED Talk Prep

Lovelies,

Can you believe TED Talks start next Thursday? How the heck can that be true when I just met you?! At any rate, it is true so come to class with open hands. Period 5, also come with Post-It Notes if you want some that are not yellow. All I have is yellow.

Thanks for testing!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Testing Day One

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  It is absolutely no fun administering a test so I can only imagine how tedious it is to take them especially if you had History and my class today.  That being said, tests continue tomorrow. 

Periods 2 and 4 will be taking the Science portion of the standardized test.  And please show up because if you don't, I will have to administer a make-up test to you AND THAT WILL BE NO FUN AND BOOOOOOOOO.

So I shall see y'all tomorrow. 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Block Schedule Next Week

Happy Friday, Lovelies -

Today was a pretty nice day, if I do say so myself.  Thanks for participating.  And, Period 5, we will do your Round II of Post-It Notes next Wednesday since we will be on block schedule.  Speaking of, info below about what the next week holds:

Mon 5/20 - Periods 1, 3, 5 (Science Testing)
Tues 5/21 - Periods 2, 4, 6 (Science Testing)
Wed 5/22 - Periods 1, 3, 5 ( TED Talk Work and Period 5 Post It Notes)
Thu 5/23 - Periods 2, 4, 6 ( Poetry Slam Period 2, TED Talk Work)

Gentle reminder that you will be taking the English and Math portions of the Smarter Balance tests in your History classes.  And TED Talk sign ups are posted in the hallway by my door.  Sign up!

Enjoy the weekend...

Love and Light,
Beltran

Dear Gabe

I'm sorry to hear that your dog is a "little mutt".  That must be difficult.  But seeing as how you just showed me a photo of the dog, I feel less sorry for you because she is absolutely adorable.

So Lovelies, congrats on being done with AP testing season.  You should be proud that you made it. 

Show up tomorrow for some fun!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Yay!!!

Done and done!! Hope it all went well and I’ll see you tomorrow.

Love and Light,
Beltran

All Good Things

Only Love and Light to you all. Have fun taking the test! And if you’re not testing, bring something to read or work on.

#slay

Beltran

T Minus 2 Days

Hope AP Bio went well for those of you who tested. Room 853 had another mellow day with one last day to come before our test.

Show up tomorrow ready to have fun because why not?

Love and Light,
Beltran

A Firefighter Stopped By

During period 5, a firefighter stopped by and it was glorious!  A former student, Kyle is the epitome of a solid human being.  He's actual magic.  And to add further proof to his awesomeness, Winston literally said, "Do we get candy for this?" at which point Kyle produced 5 lollipops.  Swirling in magic, y'all.

HUGE shoutout to all of you who helped clean my room today.  Thus it begins...thus it begins.

Hope APUSH went well and that AP Bio is just as grand.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Bring A Box

Good luck on your tests, Lovelies!!! I’ll be sending you positive energy.

For next week, if you have an empty box, I’ll take it.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Themes in Argument

Dear Lovelies,

In our mini-lesson today, we went over some overarching themes found in Argument - Q3.  After your other AP tests are conquered, I would recommend reviewing quality literature that can serve as evidence under the "umbrella" themes of identity, conflict, journey, etc. 

If you're taking AP Psych tomorrow, good luck and, of course, good luck with APUSH on Friday as well. 

Tomorrow's mini-lesson will center on the one book I know that hits every universal theme found in literature.  Come to class to find out! 

Love and Light,
Beltran

Study Hall Situations

'Tis the testing season. 
Rest.
Hydrate.
Relax.
It will ALL BE MORE THAN FINE.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Monday 5/7

Hi Lovelies -

I won't be in today.  You should complete the last practice Multiple Choice and we will score it tomorrow.  Please leave your work with the substitute. And if you finish early, you have plenty you can do - seems we are entering AP test season. 

See y'all Tuesday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Dear Room 853

Dear Room 853,

Some people will likely think I'm crazy for writing this blog post to you, but today, you and I said goodbye to SAS presentations and soon we will say goodbye to the Lovelies and each other.

I believe in intention and though mine is oftentimes off the mark (too much ego, y'all, too much ego), I can vividly recall moving into this space when I was a new mother.  I showed up with a diaper bag and lots of stress and you wrapped me in your arms and gave me a safe space where I could still be me - separate from the sacrifice of being a mama.

Thank you for giving rise to some great presentations over the past decade and more recently, the last several months.  We've had fun.

Shout out to Jenna for being the last SAS presenter.  You did good.

Love and Light to us all,
Beltran

Q1 Model Essays - 2017

The released model essays for the 2017 Q1 can be found HERE.  All of the released essays can be found HERE.  I'd like you to read each of them and then get into a small group to discuss the strengths of the high/medium scoring ones and the weaknesses of the low scoring one.

Once done with that, go to google classroom and follow the assignment instructions.  

SAS tomorrow and the end of the 5th 6 weeks!!!  You're almost done.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Q1 Synthesis

Okay, Lovelies, let's do this.  For today, look at the 2017 Q1 prompt and sources.  2017 Synthesis  Read them, think about them, consider then.

Tomorrow (or tonight if you want) read the Model Essays paying particular attention to the high and medium scores.  Access them HERE.

I will expect you to read and review at least 3 different years of Q1 tomorrow in class because the more you know...

Love and Light,
Beltran

PS - Shout out Period 2 for choreography and to Period 1 for setting the tone.
PPS - Period 4, we will look at the sources tomorrow unless you want to preview tonight.