President Obama Addresses Students

President Obama will address students on Tuesday welcoming them back to school. It will be live on the internet and contains a lesson plan. This is optional for school districts. And for those schools that are showing President Obama’s address, parents have the right to request that their children stay out of the class when it is shown. On Monday there will be a text of the speech available online for parents to read.

The main message of the address will be about students working hard and staying in school. At first the President asked for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Sixth Grade to write letters to the him about how they can help the President. That has now been changed to having students write letters to themselves about the goals they want to achieve.

There has been an uproar about this speech. What do you feel about it? If your school is going to show it, will you allow your children to watch it?

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The Inauguration and Your Children

This year’s Inauguration will be held this Tuesday, January 20th. There are many events that can be viewed on television and on the web. There are activities that you can do with your children either before or during the Inauguration. This day is history in the making. I hope that you will educate your child about the meaning of this day and do something together.

inauguration dayEvents:

  • Monday, January 29th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is a National holiday. Some public schools depending on what state you reside in. This year’s theme is “A Day of Service”.
  • Monday, January 29th at 8 PM ET, the Disney Channel presents the “Kid’s Inaugural: We Are The Future” – a concert featuring the Jonas Brothers and Hanna Montana. Michelle Obama and her children, Mahlia and Sasha are expected to be present also.
  • Tuesday, January 29th at 11:30 AM ET, the Swearing In Ceremony held on the steps of the US Capital in Washington DC.
  • Tuesday, January 29th at 2:30 PM ET, the Presidential Inauguration Parade held along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC.
  • Tuesday, January 29th, all evening, Inaugural Balls will take place. Some will have portions televised.

Activities:

  • Volunteer during MLK Day with your child. Be sure to explain that this is being done in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Make one of the dishes that will be served at the Inaugural Luncheon with your children, or Obama’s favorite chili recipe and eat it on during the parade.
  • View some of the photos about the Inaugurations of the past.
  • Make a “Yes We Can” Can from Kaboose to teach your children about the phrase that they will hear so often and help them save money for a cause they choose.
  • Buy a few small American flags and march along with the bands during the parade.
  • Print out some Presidential coloring pages, including the Lincoln Memorial and the White House and do some coloring!
  • Print out a President’s Word Search, an Abraham Lincoln Maze or some American Flag Stationary. Help your child complete these and use the writing paper to send a letter to the new President.
  • Take some photographs of your own celebration of the Inauguration to save for your children. You can blog about your party, post them to Flickr, Facebook or another social media site.
  • Share Your Story with President Elect Obama on his website. Help your children tell the upcoming President what they think is important.

Tell me what you are doing with your family to celebrate this historical day.

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