This quotation from Shakespeare's play "As You Like It" comes to mind when thinking of Obama's planned address to the nation's school children this Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. The speech has not even been given, and yet there is already a nationwide and perhaps worldwide hullabaloo. What's your take on the issue? In the meantime, I have posted four resources to check out. Two are activities sponsored by the government to get school children engaged in the speech, and the third is an editorial from the New York Times blogger column, "Opinator," and as of today, Sept. 5, noon, had 144 posted 
responses. Lo and behold, even the White House has a Facebook site set up to converse about the speech, and I posted that link, or click on the image "White House Live."The speech has engaged a country in dialogue and dispute. Weigh in before or after the speech, and let us know what you think about the issue. How is the discussion surrounding the speech both educational and perhaps counterproductive to education for those who oppose the open airing? Recall this is not the first time that a US President has made a speech to the school-aged children, but it seems to be the first-time there has been such a world-wide fuss. How has the Internet contributed to this stream of response? I have also posted information about various ways to access the speech online.
Menu of Classroom Activities, President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
(Grades 7-12): http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7-12.pdf
Menu of Classroom Activities President Obama’s Address to Students (Grades Prek-6):
http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/prek-6.pdf
Weekend Opinonator: Obama Goes Back to School:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/weekend-opinionator-obama-goes-back-to-school/
Menu of Classroom Activities, President Obama’s Address to Students Across America
(Grades 7-12): http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7-12.pdf
Menu of Classroom Activities President Obama’s Address to Students (Grades Prek-6):
http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/prek-6.pdf
Weekend Opinonator: Obama Goes Back to School:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/weekend-opinionator-obama-goes-back-to-school/
And for Facebook online voyagers, check out this WhiteHouse Live on Facebook for more discussion. http://apps.facebook.com/whitehouselive/
Information on When and How to Watch:
When: Tuesday, September 8th, at 12:00 PM (EDT)
How to Watch: The President's message will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov/live, and broadcast live on C-Span; for school districts hoping to access the satellite feed, it will be available beginning at 11:00 AM (EDT) using the following coordinates:* Galaxy 28/Transponder 17, Slot C (9 MHz)* Uplink Frequency 14344.5 Horizontal* Downlink Frequency 12044.5 Vertical
Obama image from: Barack Obama Speaking at Philadelphia's ConstitutionCenter, March 18, 2008
I just found this link online to a Bill O'Reilly 8/9/09 article in Parade Magazine, What President Obama Can Teach America's Kids, and thought I would add the link to present a viewpoint of a conservative Republican who supports Obama's reaching out to America's school children.
Photo by Erin Patrice O'Brien For PARADE
9 comments:
This issue has interested me since it first came to the front of the news early last week. I honestly cannot see how the president (any president) speaking to the students of America about the importance of education and staying in school can be a bad thing. I like President Obama, but even if I didn't, I wouldn't let my that cloud my understanding of what he is trying to accomplish with this speech. Two presidents before Obama (Regan and Bush Sr.) did similar speeches directed at school children, and I don't think that the same outraged followed. The debate about the "indoctrination" of students and forbiding the students to watch the speech is puzzling to me. The loud detracters of the speech are basically saying that we can't trust the American youth to look at a speech and make a decision about how they feel about it. It's like they don't believe that students can think for themselves...and that is my worry; that forbiding children to watch this speech, digest it's points, and then make an informed decison about how they feel about it's contents could be just as damaging to the way kids think...we want them to be informed, yet not letting them see the speech is the perfect way for them to stay ignorant. Then the political analyisis wonder why 18-25 year olds rarely vote, or care about the political world. Not allowing children to watch the President's speech sends just as strong a message to American youth as letting it be played does.
I don't understand why this is such a big deal. To me,it's quite simple. I think that every student should have to opportunity to listen to what the President wants to tell them. This is a good example of prejudice in politics. There is such a deep line in the sand between the republicans and democrats. There are so many real issues at hand and yet THIS is a debate. I liked what Bill O'Reilly said about the positive things that our kids can learn from Obama. In simple terms, he didn't have a lot of opportunity, he didn't have the most stable childhood. But, look at what he chose to do with his life. He chose to become a positive person and make an impact on his community and now his nation. So, let the kids hear him. He isn't another politician who talks the talk. He has walked the walk as well.
I'm glad that this was posted, otherwise I would have no idea of the President's latest agenda! I think it's wonderful that Obama is taking initiative to speak to America's youth. His pure being, as referenced in O'Reily's article as well is, is a role model to America's youth. Obama's chosen path in life should be publicized to children. I work in an urban school where there is a high minority population, where there are many single mom families, and where finances are an issue. Student who typically are not engaged in anything at school stop to hear what the president has to say. The President is someone who many American children can relate to on many levels. I think that states such as Texas are up in arms because they are a conservative state. If this was a conservative President I bet that there wouldn't be such a controversy. Everyone knows that the Republican party lacks leadership, is loosing popularity as their old (often time religious) values are unwavering even though they don't make sense in current times, and take any chance to criticize their democratic counterpart.
I think it is wonderful that President Obama took the time to address our youth. Students at my school watched the speech and came to their own opinions and judgements about it. I can't understand why this was so controversial. He is encouraging and motivating students to take on responsibility for their education and actions. In todays society many students have lost that sense of responsibility and all of the pressures have been put on the teachers, parents, and support staff. I say it is about time that students realize that they have an impact on the outcome of their success and choices and a responsibility to take their education seriously in order to help contribute to society and better themselves.
I also think it is wonderful that President Obama took time out of his busy schedule to speak to the students of America. He is a positive role model for all, whose message is refreshing during a time when many students want instant gratification for little or no effort. His speech was uplifting, motivating and inspiring and I think our youth need to be reminded that hard work, determination and reaction/action towards failures can help them to achieve their goals.
I'm glad that this was posted, otherwise I would have no idea of the President's latest agenda! I think it's wonderful that Obama is taking initiative to speak to America's youth. His pure being, as referenced in O'Reily's article as well is, is a role model to America's youth. Obama's chosen path in life should be publicized to children. I work in an urban school where there is a high minority population, where there are many single mom families, and where finances are an issue. Student who typically are not engaged in anything at school stop to hear what the president has to say. The President is someone who many American children can relate to on many levels. I think that states such as Texas are up in arms because they are a conservative state. If this was a conservative President I bet that there wouldn't be such a controversy. Everyone knows that the Republican party lacks leadership, is loosing popularity as their old (often time religious) values are unwavering even though they don't make sense in current times, and take any chance to criticize their democratic counterpart.
Articles like this help me to continue on in this life with a positive mindset. Coming from a poor family the odds were and still are against me to succeed in life. Seeing others from similiar backgrounds like myself make it in this world gives me hope that one day I can say I'm success.
I remember the day when everyone was so eager to watch President Obama's speech at the school where I work. I think that it was a great thing to televise the newly appointed President's speech. It not only gave kids the opportunity to see their new president on television, but also to hear him talking about such an important matter as staying in school and the importance of Education.
I remember the day when President Obama's speech was going to be televised and how eager students were to hear him on television. I work at a school and I think that it was a great thing that kids got see Obama delivering a speech about Education. In my opinion, children need to know that Education is an important aspect in their lives and what a best way to get the advice from than their own President.
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