Schoolchildren to get assignment from Obama

Washington Times ^ | 9/2/2009 | Matthew Mosk

[IbJensen]

In the midst of a rancorous health care debate and a sustained period of declining poll numbers, President Obama is seeking help from an unexpected constituency -- America's schoolchildren.

And they better pay attention to his request: They may get graded on the assignment.

The White House announced Wednesday that the president plans to tape a presidential address to public schoolchildren around the country to air at noon Tuesday. Along with advanced word of the speech, the U.S. Department of Education last week distributed a "menu of classroom activities" to teachers that aims to turn the speech into one of Mr. Obama's teachable moments.

Among the activities, the government suggests that students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president." The material includes a suggestion that teachers then collect the letters and redistribute them at a later time "to make students accountable to their goals."

Another task, recommended for younger students immediately after listening to the speech, is to engage in a discussion about what "the President wants us to do."

"Does the speech make you want to do anything?" is one suggested question for the discussion. "Are we able to do what the President is asking of us?"

The packet of activities was sent out electronically with an Aug. 26 electronic letter from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Mr. Duncan encourages school administrators to air the presidential broadcast, which was timed to coincide with the start of school for most of the country.

The educational materials do not mention any political issue, and the speech is not expected to stray from a clear message encouraging children to excel.

"The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning," Mr. Duncan said in his letter.

Of the activities, Mr. Duncan added: "These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives."

[IbJensen]

They may get graded on the assignment.

We'll never know what O'Bozo's grades were.

[workerbee]

The educational materials do not mention any political issue, and the speech is not expected to stray from a clear message encouraging children to excel.

Talk about your subjective statements!

[pray4liberty]

If the public schools decide to fail all the kids en masse who were sick that day, I foresee a major jump in homeschooling virtually overnight.

[Talisker]

The Children's Story, by James Clavell

[Safrguns]

I wonder if he will encourage the kids NOT TO LIE!

[FlingWingFlyer]

It is going to be interesting to see how many Americans keep their children home from school on the 8th. A long holiday weekend sounds about right. Maybe sit the kids down and show them a few WWII movies about the European theater. Patton, A Bridge Too Far, The Longest Day, etc.

[EGPWS]

If they stutter and say “ah...ah...ah...”, they pass with an A+.

[Marysecretary]

I can only imagine what he’s going to tell them. Barf.

[workerbee]

I'd be willing to bet that more districts than not, don't show this address. You can count on the dyed-in-the-red urban and lib areas to make it mandatory viewing, but in middle America, no. I'm going to call our elem school principal tomorrow to see what the plan is, but frankly I'll be surprised if it's on the agenda. That said, if it is, my kids will not be feeling well next Tuesday.

[I see my hands]

[The Shrew]

Outstanding book/link. Thank you for posting. I have bought numerous copies over the years and given it to my son's teachers. I'm due for another round.

Regards,

TS

[EGPWS]

"The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning,"...

Obama, a true individualist. ROTFLMAO!

Yep, the dogma of the liberal politicians, "take care of ones self"! `snort

No Czars here, nope none! /s

[goldfinch]

I urge each of you to lodge a protest about this. Call your local schools, elementary, middle, and high school. Then move up the ladder and call the district administration office, and the members of the board of education. Tell them that you think the school avoid playing politics with our students. Even if you do not have children in school now, you, as a taxpayer and a member of the community, have every right to comment on school policy.

Make your voices heard locally, where it counts.

[TWfromTEXAS]

From Fort Bend ISD - Sugar Land TEXAS

Statement prepared by the FBISD Department of School Administration (DOSA):,/B>

In Fort Bend ISD, the decision to show President Obama’s Back-to-School Message is a site-based decision. The Department of School Administration (DOSA) encourages principals to work with their Campus-Based Leadership Teams (CBLT) to determine the best decision for their campus. For those campuses that choose to show the Back-to-School Message, the message will be shown through Social Studies department/classes. DOSA does not approve of a campus shutting down at 11:00 a.m. on the date of the broadcast to view the message. For social studies classes that occur prior to the 11:00 a.m. September 8 broadcast, teachers can record the message and show it during social studies classes the next day. A supervised location will be provided for students who wish not to view the broadcast. Teachers cannot require a student to view the broadcast nor can they assess a grade for this activity.