Counselor Meeting Day

Not much to say other than I hope you are happy with the classes you chose for next year. But please do remember to ORDER your AP tests if you are planning on taking them.  Use THIS LINK.

Tomorrow have your PPP4 READY TO TURN IN and be prepared to receive PPP5...This week's focus is scifi.  Yay.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Twist and Shout" (The Beatles version)

A Thousand Thoughts

Lots to say...buckle up.

First off, the TED Talk today can be accessed here.  Rewatch, annotate the transcript, take notes, etc.

Secondly, watch this recently posted video from the NRA and then read THIS.  I want you to think about holding opposing viewpoints and stretching your thinking in the direction of what you might not believe.  It's difficult but so necessary.

All of this is to lead up to next week's Argument discussions on Wednesday and Thursday.  In 2004, the Q3 prompt said, "Contemporary life is marked by controversy.  Using appropriate evidence, carefully consider the opposing positions on this controversy and propose a solution or compromise."  You're going to be expected to come to class Wednesday with a controversy you feel is impacting the nation.  We will argue it in class and then on Thursday we will discuss solutions.  Really anticipate what the opposing viewpoints will argue and go from there.

What do you think is a controversy facing this nation?

Tomorrow remember that you have your Counselor meetings.  Thursday your packet is due (and you'll receive #5).  Friday SAS and since I will be out on Friday, March 9th, we are going to do SAS AGAIN on Monday, March 5th.

Thanks for dancing.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Payphone" Maroon 5

Why Be Kind?

I've been wondering on this Multiple Choice Monday about the why behind my actions and yours...why be kind to teachers or students?  Why be thoughtful with feelings and emotions?  Why care at all when it seems as if society is consistently pushing us toward a me versus them attitude?  All I know is that all actions go down to the intention...why do I say good morning or pay attention or return phone calls or go out of my way for others?  To get something in return?  I honestly think I do it because that's what I want returned to me - kindness, thoughtful actions, to be seen and heard...And is that even possible in a power dynamic between student and teacher?  Are you being kind because I am your teacher?  Are you being kind because it's how you want to be treated?

And then the concept of being alone...I asked period 4 if they'd ever felt alone.  Everyone raised their hand in the Heads Down Poll.  So because all of us have felt that, aren't we together in our aloneness??

Welcome to my Mind Palace.  Please have a seat.

At any rate, Multiple Choice today.  13 questions that all centered around reading comprehension. 

Tomorrow, TED Talk, Wednesday Counselor Meeting and Thursday, your packets are due.  Friday, SAS...

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Sugar Sugar" The Archies

What a Day

I think my post title says it all.

Thanks for the SAS and the dancing.

See y’all Monday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

To Be Great is to Be Misunderstood

PPP4 was passed out today, and it is a glorious collection of voices.  Might you find the connection between the past and present?

By next Thursday, please have that packet read, annotated, and analyzed.  What are your thoughts?  How are they connected?  Which piece sparks your interest?

Tomorrow, be ready for SAS.  It's always a fun way to end the week.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Good to be Alive" Andy Grammer

From Time Magazine

I shared a snippet of an article from Time with the later periods, but I just wanted to repost here.  The last paragraph reminds me so much of the Freedom Riders who rode to the South to encourage the African American vote.  History, it seems, is repeating itself.  She often does.

Time Magazine – February 21, 2018

(PARKLAND, Fla.) — Students who survived the Florida school shooting began a journey Tuesday to the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to prevent another massacre, but within hours the gun-friendly Legislature had effectively halted any possibility of banning assault-style rifles like the one used in the attack.

The legislative action further energized the teens as they prepared to confront legislators who have quashed gun-control efforts for decades in a state where 1.3 million people have concealed carry permits.

“They’re voting to have shootings continually happen. These people who voted down the bill haven’t experienced what we did. I want to say to them, ‘It could be you,'” 16-year-old Noah Kaufman said as he made the 400-mile (640-kilometer) trip to Tallahassee.

Three buses carried 100 students who, in the aftermath of the attack that killed 17 people, want to revive the gun-control movement. The teens carried sleeping bags and pillows and hugged their parents as they departed, many wearing burgundy T-shirts in their school colors.

Book Deadline #1

My heart was heavy last week due to the Parkland shooting.  It still is, but today a glimmer of hope with what will actually change the world: YOU.  It is an absolute joy to see a room full of future voters, business owners, artists, athletes, musicians, teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, etc. discussing books they read.  THAT CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING.

I'm not your mom, but I am Mama Bear proud to see so many of you legitimately reading.  Yes, I am biased toward people who read.

Thank you.

Enjoy the rest of your day and make sure your PPP is done for tomorrow.  Some more goodies headed your way.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Upside Down" Jack Johnson

I Am So Sorry...

...for the inconsiderate nature of the school's really bad technology situation.  Here is the LINK.  Shout out to T Dawg.

Also, since I’m here, reminder that our first book deadline is tomorrow. Bring the book(s) you read and be ready to discuss in small and possibly large groups.

Thursday we get PPP4 and Friday is SAS. Let’s look forward to a great week.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: Jess Glynne “Hold My Hand”

Happy Four Day

Dear Lovelies,

Today I have a heavy heart as I think of the students and faculty/staff involved in yesterday's school shooting in Florida.  I played this NPR piece today mainly because it ended with a sobering question.  Listen to it if you were absent or relisten if you want to reconsider.

I also collected PPP2 and passed out PPP3 so turn one in/grab one next week if you were absent.

Hope you make some time for good things this weekend.

I'll see y'all Tuesday.

Love and Light,
Beltran

P.S. - On Wednesday 2/21, we have the FIRST book deadline.  Bring whatever you've read (and if you've read multiple books, pick one) so we can discuss. 

Today's Song: "My Guy" Mary Wells

Happy Valentine's Day

Dear Lovelies,

I wish you all love.  Just love. 

With that said, thank you for your discussion today and for the glorious opportunity to read.  I'm working on This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp.  Sad, but really good in case you're looking for another book.

Tomorrow PPP2 is due and you will be given PPP3.  I'm excited.

Love and Light as always,
Beltran

Today's Song: "I Can't Help Myself" The Four Tops

P.S. - Period 5, meet me in the PAC. 

TED Talk Tuesday

Hi Lovelies,

Thanks for watching today's TED Talk.  Always a pleasure exposing you, being an alarm, etc.

Tomorrow, make sure you are prepared for a class discussion on the 2016 Q3 prompt from Oscar Wilde.  And make sure YOU HAVE YOUR BOOKS.  I hope to have some time for independent reading.

I'll see you tomorrow!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "My Girl" The Temptations

2016 Argument

Hi Lovelies,

Today you learned about "unpacking" the text/prompt.  You should have left the intro to the 2016 Argument prompt I shared in class (or email it to me later/give it to me tomorrow).  You should be prepared to DISCUSS this prompt on Wednesday in a class discussion.  Feel free to check out the model essays on College Board and see what the "6" and the "8" did to attack this...And look up Oscar Wilde.  He's a worthy rhetor.

Tomorrow, some TED Talk love and then Wednesday, our chat.  Keep reading and looking forward to our long weekend.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: The Supremes "Back in My Arms Again"

It's a Pleasure Seeing You Read

I just want to thank those of you who are reading.  I see you, and I am so proud of you.

Thanks for a great SAS day, too.  I wish you a wonderful weekend, and if you weren't in class or already forgot, look up RYLA and consider applying for the April conference.  Applications are due to Mrs. Hedges in Room 202A by Thursday.  And remember you can use Cloud Library via the SD Public Library to read e-books off of the list including Long Way Down.  Once enough of you read it, we can have a class discussion.  Maybe some extra credit???

Much love and light,
Beltran

Today's Song: MJ Practice

SAS Tomorrow

PPP 2 passed out today. Due next Thursday.

SAS tomorrow. Cannot wait!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: “Talking About A Revolution” Tracy Chapman

They Say, I Say

We entered into Argument today.

Whoa.

I'm super proud of you all...even if you didn't speak.  Nonverbal expressions of power and dominance and all.  (Shout out Amy Cuddy!)

Tomorrow you need to have your first PPP done (researched, rhetorical triangle(d) and annotated).  We will review it briefly and then you will get PPP 2.

Have a good rest of your day.

And again, thank you.

Love and Light,
Beltran

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

*UPDATED* Posting from my Phone - Forgive Me

*UPDATED*

Lovelies,

I’ll have to link up the Jason Reynold’s video and 2012 Amy Cuddy TED Talk later. But I wanted to say thanks for watching and considering.

Tomorrow some stuff.

And what a joy to see some of y’all reading!!!!!!!!!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: “This Old Heart of Mine” The Isley Brothers

Multiple Choice Monday

First off, Happy Monday.  I hope you had a fabulous weekend full of good things. 

Today in class, I announced 3 books to choose from for all the classes.  1984, The Hate U Give, and East of Eden.  I am also very much pushing for Jason Reynolds' Long Way Down.  It is soooooo good and you would very much love it.

By Friday, have a "mandatory" book chosen for the April 25 deadline.  And as a reminder, the first book deadline is 2/21, the second is 3/21 and the last is 5/23.  Keep in mind that if you choose East of Eden, it counts a 2 books.

Let's READ!!!

As for Multiple Choice, HERE is the document I showed in class on the 8 types of MC Questions.  Feel free to print a copy for yourself. 

Tomorrow is a TED Talk and Wednesday we will enter into a little "They Say/I Say" Argument practice.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" Stevie Wonder

Friday!!!

Thanks for a wonderful Second Semester SAS kickoff. It was great learning about everything from pigs to treadmills to golf.

Over the weekend, read, work on your PPP (due Thursday) and enjoy.

I’ll see y’all Monday!

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today’s Song: MJ practice

February First

Today you were introduced to your first triple P (Power to the Packet Packet).  Any guesses as to why these rhetors were chosen??  Just wondering.

At any rate, your job is to research, read/annotate and own the rhetoric presented today.  If any happen to catch your interest, Jason Reynolds is an author on your book list as is Angie Thomas.  Their back stories as writers are pretty interesting so use your resources to make some connections on this first day of February (cough cough).

I will do my part in prepping the mandatory book(s) for the different classes. Each period is focused on a different way to read but rest assured, all roads lead to the same place.  Tomorrow, be prepared for your first SAS of the second semester.  I can't wait.

If you're going to the Unity Game, have fun and shout outs to all the coaches, cheerleaders and players.  What a wonderful thing.

Love and Light,
Beltran

Today's Song: "Here I Go Again" Whitesnake