What's with kids and the Pledge of Allegiance?

[DemonLlama]

There's still a pause in that phrase at my kids' schools. I was at DS's class for the first day of school when the announcements and pledge came over the loud speaker. This year, they say pledges to both U.S. and Texas. A number of mothers I was standing near (myself included) had to mumble through that one. Luckily, it's only one sentence long! (I've since learned it, by the way.)

A pledge, like any other rote memorization, will not carry with it the emotion and meaning to children who do not understand the sacrifice, cost, or priveledge unless they are taught. Our schools, thanks to overburdened teachers who are swamped with bureaucratic mandates, have had to neglect civil liberty as a fundmental part of education, which should be as important as reading, writing, and 'rithmatic.

I teach "America Skips School" by Benjamin Barber to my college freshmen. Published in Harper's Magazine in November, 1993, it rings even more true today. Here is one quote:

"The fundamental task of education in a democracy is what Tocqueville once called the apprenticeship of liberty: learning to be free. I wonder whether Americans still believe liberty has to be learned and that its skills are worth learning. Or have they been deluded into two centuries of rhetoric into thinking that freedom is 'natural' and can be taken for granted?"

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by FOJMO
[BI'm not sure what any of you are referring to when you say a "paus]e" in the Pledge of Allegiance. The way it is taught, is with a specific cadence or rhythm --

I pledge allegiance
To the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the Republic
For which it stands
One nation
Under God
Indivisible
With Liberty
And Justice
For all

There are several "pauses" but not of any length. Just the same as when you learn the alphabet, prayers, poems, nursery rhymes, etc. What kind of pause are you expecting after the word "Liberty"? And who is "banning" it? It's a natural word grouping to memorize it.[/B]

Yes, that's how I learned it. Every day here, our local radio station has a class of kids from various schools in the tri-county area recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the air...recorded of course. And each and every class says...all in one breath...

...With liberty and justice for all.

No breaks! NO biggie, just an irritation for me! LOL!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by chager
I have heard the Pledge done both ways when I have subbed. I have also heard it done slow and fast depending on who is leading it. I agree it should be done with respect and at a nice pace. What gets to me is the number of kids I have to redirect during the Pledge becuase they want to do something else.

THAT is terrible!! They have to be redirected? I was pleased with DS's teacher last year at his parochial school. Every morning, all classes start with a prayer and the Pledge. In the afternoon before leaving for the day, they say another prayer. On one particular day when I was there to volunteer in class, his teacher told them that they rushed through the prayer. She made them say it again before leaving for the weekend.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by DemonLlama
A pledge, like any other rote memorization, will not carry with it the emotion and meaning to children who do not understand the sacrifice, cost, or priveledge unless they are taught. Our schools, thanks to overburdened teachers who are swamped with bureaucratic mandates, have had to neglect civil liberty as a fundmental part of education, which should be as important as reading, writing, and 'rithmatic.

True! I think it was last year when I was looking through DS's notebook that I found the Pledge paraphrased into language they could understand and get the meaning from. I thought it was GREAT!!