September 8, 2009

[Pete]

September 8, 2009

Do you know who will be in the classrom with your child?

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10582301...ptember-8-2009


"President Obama’s Address to Students Across America September 8, 2009
PreK-6 Menu of Classroom Activities: President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
Produced by Teaching Ambassador Fellows, U.S. Department of Education
September 8, 2009

Before the Speech:
• Teachers can build background knowledge about the President of the United States and his speech by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama and motivate students by asking the following questions:
Who is the President of the United States?
What do you think it takes to be President?
To whom do you think the President is going to be speaking?
Why do you think he wants to speak to you?........"

How long before each child will be required to have the little red book?

[glebo]

Hmmmm, they voted to keep religion out of school, the pledge of allegiance....but allow politics?!?

[Richard]

I have no issues with these activities - typical foreshadowing, predicting, observing, recording, analyzing, reporting type activities for schools.

Context may be important - in this case, why education is important to students and how their education will help them achieve their goals - as indicated in the Secretary of Education's letter to principals from the Department of Education's web-site:

Dear Principal:

In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 — the first day of school for many children across America — he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.

Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.

This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's school children about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong. I encourage you, your teachers, and students to join me in watching the President deliver this address on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. It will be broadcast live on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov 12:00 noon eastern standard time.

In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. We are also staging a student video contest on education. Details of the video contest will be available on our website www.ed.gov in the coming weeks.

On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank our educators who do society's most important work by preparing our children for work and for life. No other task is more critical to our economic future and our social progress. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to continue improving the quality of public education we provide all of our children.

Sincerely,

Arne Duncan

http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html

And so it goes...

Richard's $.02

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Richard

Context may be important - in this case, why education is important to students and how their education will help them achieve their goals...

IMO, a worthy goal that will go completely unachieved without enduring and full parental/guardian reinforcement. Those that haven't received that already are likely to continue going without, regardless of the President's broadcast.

[ZonieDiver]

Like Richard, I have no problem with this type of activity. As a teacher, I appreciate notice such as this, so that I might prepare classroom activities to augment/supplement/reinforce/clarify etc.

He is, despite my extreme differences with him in regard to policies/attitudes, the President of the United States. Ask yourself, "If this had been done by President Bush, would I have a problem with it?" I wouldn't.

Razor is correct. Of more importance is how the parent or guardian approaches such things. How aware do they make their child(ren) of such things? Do they discuss politics, policies, history, economics, government around the dinner table. Hell, do they even eat dinner together at all - ever?

Parents should enquire as to what their child's teacher is doing in regard to this program. How will the teacher approach it? (I know how I would. Unfortunately, I also know how my evening school colleague will approach it.)

[Praetorian]

Thanks for pointing this out....

[Dozer523]

As long as he doesn't try to read along! We remember how well that went the last time a new President tried to "read with me"

[Richard]

As long as he doesn't try to read along! We remember how well that went the last time a new President tried to "read with me"

Maybe that's why he's doing it three days earlier this time!

Richard

[GratefulCitizen]

Originally Posted by Pete

September 8, 2009

Do you know who will be in the classrom with your child?

Yup.
The pastor's wife and the deacon's wife.
They are the teachers.

My kids won't get targeted at home, either.
Don't have cable tv.
Don't have at-home internet access.

Originally Posted by Pete

How long before each child will be required to have the little red book?

If they're gov't issue, my kids will draw bulls-eyes on them and use them for target practice.

My kids' school gives them each a children's Bible at the end of the year.
Oddly enough, the color is usually red.

I make no apologies for indoctrinating my own children.
The fertile shall inherit the earth.

[Richard]

The fertile shall inherit the earth.

Sounds like a quote from either Mao's Little Red Book, the Catholic Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Koran.

Richard

[GratefulCitizen]

Originally Posted by Richard

Sounds like a quote from either Mao's Little Red Book, the Catholic Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Koran.

Richard

The allusion was deliberate.
It figures that you would catch it.

Herein lies the motive for going after kids through the public indoctrination system: the fertility gap.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editor...l?id=110008831

[incarcerated]

I expect the thing to go something like this:
(watch to the whole thing: the important stuff is at the end.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwG5M...eature=related

[18DWife]

My boys will not be involved in this period
I guess their 4 day will be extended

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by Dozer523

As long as he doesn't try to read along! We remember how well that went the last time a new President tried to "read with me"

Originally Posted by Richard

Maybe that's why he's doing it three days earlier this time!

IIRC, critics of Bush the Younger subsequently alleged that his presence at an elementary school on that awful day was "proof" that his presidency was a failure. Gotta love those double standards.

[FWIW, my two cents are that any president, regardless of the motivation, who encourages students e to take their education seriously is doing a good deed.]

[echoes]

If I can go out on a limb here, and ask a simple question???

Does anyone else think it rather strange that:

"President Obama’s Address to Students Across America September 8, 2009
PreK-6 Menu of Classroom Activities: President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
Produced by Teaching Ambassador Fellows, U.S. Department of Education
September 8, 2009

Before the Speech:
• Teachers can build background knowledge about the President of the United States and his speech by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama and motivate students by asking the following questions:

Who is the President of the United States?

What do you think it takes to be President?

To whom do you think the President is going to be speaking?

Why do you think he wants to speak to you?........"

This seems a little "1984" to me...but I am most likely wrong, and just not educated enough to read it for what it is???
Holly