?? About Presidents Address to Students

[FireDancer]

That simply is not true.

Maybe not in your house but it sure would be in mine. I don't want any political agenda preached to my child and before I allow them to hear a speech that may or may not push some agenda I want to listen to it. Once they are older they can make their own decision.

Plus who knows how any of the teachers are going to twist even benign words. Something like "make sure your parents vote for the levy because the president said that education is important". This just an example of how the speech could be made into an agenda even if the President doesn't do it himself. Whether you believe this is true of not I don't want history or politics editorialized to my child. Teach facts not opinions. Most teachers probably do, but some don't.

There is nothing wrong with giving a parent choice. A parent who is fine with it being played is entitled to that opinion just like one who is not fine with it. Giving the parents choice means everyone can be happy.

 

[diznygirl]

I think everyone who is worried about this should calm down and remind themselves of one really important fact - children rarely listen. Seriously, they will be more excited to be missing some class rather than being "indoctrinated" by the president. Then they will have recess and lunch and when they get home and we ask them what he said they will say, "I don't know."

Just another day in the life of a kid.

 

[GoodFairies]

Yvan Eht Nioj?

 

[dismom2]

I think everyone who is worried about this should calm down and remind themselves of one really important fact - children rarely listen. Seriously, they will be more excited to be missing some class rather than being "indoctrinated" by the president. Then they will have recess and lunch and when they get home and we ask them what he said they will say, "I don't know."

Just another day in the life of a kid.

Maybe your kids don't listen, but many others do. When I heard about the lesson plan, I was not thrilled about it at all, for the same reasons EMOM explained. I don't know if my children will be seeing it today--their school did not notify us.

 

[LoraJ]

This is much ado about nothing.
Are they going to try and have Obama removed from history books as well and act like he doesn't exist?

 

[okeydokey]

I think more of the uproar was about the lesson plan that went along with the speech than the speech itself. The initial lesson plan encouraged students to write letters to themselves about what they can do to help President Obama. A lot of parents also didn't agree with their children having to find things about the speech that inspired them, which essentially assumed that the children had to find Obama inspiring. They saw the two things I have mentioned as indoctrination.

God forbid anyone should find a president inspiring.

 

[diznygirl]

Maybe your kids don't listen, but many others do. When I heard about the lesson plan, I was not thrilled about it at all, for the same reasons EMOM explained. I don't know if my children will be seeing it today--their school did not notify us.

I see. So they DO listen and you are worried they might actually LIKE what he says.

Maybe not in your house but it sure would be in mine. I don't want any political agenda preached to my child and before I allow them to hear a speech that may or may not push some agenda I want to listen to it. Once they are older they can make their own decision.

Plus who knows how any of the teachers are going to twist even benign words. Something like "make sure your parents vote for the levy because the president said that education is important". This just an example of how the speech could be made into an agenda even if the President doesn't do it himself. Whether you believe this is true of not I don't want history or politics editorialized to my child. Teach facts not opinions. Most teachers probably do, but some don't.

There is nothing wrong with giving a parent choice. A parent who is fine with it being played is entitled to that opinion just like one who is not fine with it. Giving the parents choice means everyone can be happy.

And you seem worried that your children might be able to think for themselves.


It REALLY IS a scary world we live in.

 

[okeydokey]

This controversy has nothing to do with a president giving a speech to children encouraging their educations. This has to do with Pres Obama doing anything. Some people do not like him and will hate everything he says and does out of hand without even considering what it is he is saying and doing. Politics as usual.

 

[rie'smom]

This controversy has nothing to do with a president giving a speech to children encouraging their educations. This has to do with Pres Obama doing anything. Some people do not like him and will hate everything he says and does out of hand without even considering what it is he is saying and doing. Politics as usual.

You're right it is politics as usual. The split second anyone doesn't agree with Obama, they automatically hate him or are racists.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My DD's high school sent out a form to opt out. They will record it on Tuesday and show it on Wed. in English class to those who did not opt out.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

This controversy has nothing to do with a president giving a speech to children encouraging their educations. This has to do with Pres Obama doing anything. Some people do not like him and will hate everything he says and does out of hand without even considering what it is he is saying and doing. Politics as usual.

I completely disagree with you. People don't have a problem with the President addressing the importance of an education. The lesson plan is the thing people have a problem with. I would also have a problem if he started to talk about politics and had it one sided. Too bad schools no longer teach critical thinking skills.

 

[FireDancer]

And you seem worried that your children might be able to think for themselves.

No, when I was in 1st through 8th grade the school never had us listen to political speech, not once. Politics was taught strictly on structure. This is what the house does, this is what the senate does, this is what the judiciary does, ect.

I view politics like I view religion. The child will eventually grow to make their own choices but when they are young they adhere to the way the parents want to bring them up. If they form their own political or religious views when they are mature enough I won't stand in their way, but a young child is too easy to manipulate.

My DD's high school sent out a form to opt out. They will record it on Tuesday and show it on Wed. in English class to those who did not opt out.

This is the most logical solution I have seen so far.

This has nothing to do with who is president, none of them should be giving such a speech. Not the current one, not the last one, not the next one. At least not one forced on kids without parental consent.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

I completely disagree with you. People don't have a problem with the President addressing the importance of an education. The lesson plan is the thing people have a problem with. I would also have a problem if he started to talk about politics and had it one sided. Too bad schools no longer teach critical thinking skills.

I read the lesson plan. What exactly is it that is so objectionable?

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

Okay...so the President of the United States is making a speech to schoolchildren across the country. The Ed department provides lesson plan ideas for teachers to use, including having the children write to the President about ways they can help him (POTUS). Another suggestion asks kids to write what they thought was inspiring.

Isn't that fundamental citizenship? Writing your elected officials? Offering suggestions on how they think their country can be greater, their education better, seriously? There's something wrong with that? They're kids! They're going to write things they think and care about to their President. What could possibly be the big deal? Can't we find inspiration in our elected officials even when our politics completely differ?

This reminds me of another thread where kids were asked to write down how long they spent reading and how long they spent watching tv each day. Post after post of conspiracy theories rather than thinking, "Gee, wouldn't it be great for kids to start paying attention to how much time they spend on different tasks each day, including how much time they spend watching tv, playing video games, etc.?"

I think it's fantastic to encourage kids to write to elected officials from a young age. It's the American way.

I am so fed up to my eyeballs with people "protecting" their children from the real world. Obama is their president - he's speaking to them. Let them form their own ideas and question what he says. Let them come home and say, "The President said xyz on tv today, what do you think, Mom?"

What in the hell are parents afraid of?!! I'm so much more afraid of having a citizenship that does not know how to be active, productive citizens - especially when they disagree with each other!!


You don't want the schools to show them their POTUS, you don't want them to tell them reading is better than watching television and have them learn tools on how to use their time wisely, you don't want them to have to sit out a game because they're not good enough to help the team win, you don't want them to fail a class, or go on field trips without you or their cell phone, etc...how will they ever, ever learn to be true productive citizens of this country and this world?


Just my humble, honest feelings and opinions...

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I read the lesson plan. What exactly is it that is so objectionable?

As I stated before, it was more about Obama. What can you do for your President? Some other wording .....write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president." Another assignment for students after hearing the speech was to discuss what "the president wants us to do". In fact, they are now changing the lesson plans to be more focused on students and their goals and NOT the President. Look back at one of my post and you will see how the questions should be.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Okay...so the President of the United States is making a speech to schoolchildren across the country. The Ed department provides lesson plan ideas for teachers to use, including having the children write to the President about ways they can help him (POTUS). Another suggestion asks kids to write what they thought was inspiring.

Isn't that fundamental citizenship? Writing your elected officials? Offering suggestions on how they think their country can be greater, their education better, seriously? There's something wrong with that? They're kids! They're going to write things they think and care about to their President. What could possibly be the big deal? Can't we find inspiration in our elected officials even when our politics completely differ?

This reminds me of another thread where kids were asked to write down how long they spent reading and how long they spent watching tv each day. Post after post of conspiracy theories rather than thinking, "Gee, wouldn't it be great for kids to start paying attention to how much time they spend on different tasks each day, including how much time they spend watching tv, playing video games, etc.?"

I think it's fantastic to encourage kids to write to elected officials from a young age. It's the American way.

I am so fed up to my eyeballs with people "protecting" their children from the real world. Obama is their president - he's speaking to them. Let them form their own ideas and question what he says. Let them come home and say, "The President said xyz on tv today, what do you think, Mom?"

What in the hell are parents afraid of?!! I'm so much more afraid of having a citizenship that does not know how to be active, productive citizens - especially when they disagree with each other!!


You don't want the schools to show them their POTUS, you don't want them to tell them reading is better than watching television and have them learn tools on how to use their time wisely, you don't want them to have to sit out a game because they're not good enough to help the team win, you don't want them to fail a class, or go on field trips without you or their cell phone, etc...how will they ever, ever learn to be true productive citizens of this country and this world?


Just my humble, honest feelings and opinions...

I wish my country had a public voice like President Obama. I find him very moving, sincere, and passionate when he speaks. Even though I'm not American, I get that warm, tingly, inspired feeling when I hear him. As long as he sticks to speaking about education I think his speech is a wonderful idea...what a great way to set the tone for a new school year.

 

[joyjoy]

I am so fed up to my eyeballs with people "protecting" their children from the real world. Obama is their president - he's speaking to them. Let them form their own ideas and question what he says. Let them come home and say, "The President said xyz on tv today, what do you think, Mom?"

What in the hell are parents afraid of?!! I'm so much more afraid of having a citizenship that does not know how to be active, productive citizens - especially when they disagree with each other!!


You don't want the schools to show them their POTUS, you don't want them to tell them reading is better than watching television and have them learn tools on how to use their time wisely, you don't want them to have to sit out a game because they're not good enough to help the team win, you don't want them to fail a class, or go on field trips without you or their cell phone, etc...how will they ever, ever learn to be true productive citizens of this country and this world?


Just my humble, honest feelings and opinions...

And mine as well. Very well put.
I find it ridiculous how overprotective so many parents are. For the love of God, stop smothering them! And let them listen to the damn President!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You're right it is politics as usual. The split second anyone doesn't agree with Obama, they automatically hate him or are racists.

Yep and the minute someone disagreed with Bush they were labeled UnAmerican.

But you are right. It is the same ole' same ole'.

 

[rie'smom]

Okay...so the President of the United States is making a speech to schoolchildren across the country. The Ed department provides lesson plan ideas for teachers to use, including having the children write to the President about ways they can help him (POTUS). Another suggestion asks kids to write what they thought was inspiring.

Isn't that fundamental citizenship? Writing your elected officials? Offering suggestions on how they think their country can be greater, their education better, seriously? There's something wrong with that? They're kids! They're going to write things they think and care about to their President. What could possibly be the big deal? Can't we find inspiration in our elected officials even when our politics completely differ?

This reminds me of another thread where kids were asked to write down how long they spent reading and how long they spent watching tv each day. Post after post of conspiracy theories rather than thinking, "Gee, wouldn't it be great for kids to start paying attention to how much time they spend on different tasks each day, including how much time they spend watching tv, playing video games, etc.?"

I think it's fantastic to encourage kids to write to elected officials from a young age. It's the American way.

I am so fed up to my eyeballs with people "protecting" their children from the real world. Obama is their president - he's speaking to them. Let them form their own ideas and question what he says. Let them come home and say, "The President said xyz on tv today, what do you think, Mom?"

What in the hell are parents afraid of?!! I'm so much more afraid of having a citizenship that does not know how to be active, productive citizens - especially when they disagree with each other!!


You don't want the schools to show them their POTUS, you don't want them to tell them reading is better than watching television and have them learn tools on how to use their time wisely, you don't want them to have to sit out a game because they're not good enough to help the team win, you don't want them to fail a class, or go on field trips without you or their cell phone, etc...how will they ever, ever learn to be true productive citizens of this country and this world?


Just my humble, honest feelings and opinions...

No one said they didn't want their kids to see the POTUS. They just don't want them to hear a speech.
As for the highlighted part, who said they have a problem with their kids at a game? I didn't read that on the thread.
We grew up to be productive citizens w/out having the president talk to us at school.
Oh and citizens talking to their public officials. Have you been watching tv lately? Those who dare to speak out against the health plan are un-American nut jobs.

 

[rie'smom]

Yep and the minute someone disagreed with Bush they were labeled UnAmerican.

But you are right. It is the same ole' same ole'.

See the post above yours. I didn't like Bush and I don't like Obama.