Obama's Speech to the Children of the United States.

[Sandy Eggo]

Simple question requiring an honest and simple answer.  What if the school had done this when Bush was President?  How would you have reacted and what would you have said?   I don't want one of those "but he" answers I want to know what your reaction would have been.

Honestly? My daughter would have been there and would have heard him speak w/out a problem/complaint/question from me. In all sincerity it would have been a non-issue for me from the onset.

I like for my daughter to form her own opinions. When she shares her opinions I ask "why", because I want to know how she formed her opinion and I want to be sure that she's thinking for herself and not mimicking the opinion of someone else, even mine. In order for that to happen she has to be exposed to a variety of things so that thought is inspired and she can do her own analysis.

Just like the Obama speech, had this event happened the same way with Bush, it would have been an opportunity for discussion with my daughter.

[kimmi]

I don't care which President it is.  If a President wants to speak to the children of this country, then it will be on in my classroom.  Period! 

[Henry Hawk]

I don't care which President it is.  If a President wants to speak to the children of this country, then it will be on in my classroom.  Period! 

Even IF the parent's express their 100% objection to it?

[Henry Hawk]

He was going to have the kids do a written report on how they could help Obama.

That is false.  Nothing was ever mentioned about an assignment for this.  The only place where I did see an assignment was from Scholastic.com

If Bush would have done this, I would have gotten the transcript so that my students could correct the grammar and phonetics of his speeches. 

that is NOT false...it WAS part of the original plan....they backed away from that...

[Sandy Eggo]

I don't care which President it is.  If a President wants to speak to the children of this country, then it will be on in my classroom.  Period! 

Apparently there was a little bit of a problem at the school yesterday because my daughter's science teacher decided to politicize and crossed the line into racism.

She told the children, including my daughter's class that Obama doesn't care about them, that this is a political ploy to win the election next year. That he wants them to go home and tell their parents how great he is to win them over. She also told them that he doesn't want them to have a real education, but a liberal education that will turn them into radicals like his friends. Apparently she went on a rant.

My daughter's friend, raised her hand and said that she thought it would be better to let the kids watch it and decide for themselves and the teacher told her that she shouldn't care because she isn't in his community anyway. The class was a little out of control at that point so the teacher sent the girl to the office for disrupting class. I found out from one of the other volunteers and a teacher's aid that the teacher was called to the office because apparently quite a few students from different classes had complained about her "speech".

On the other hand, my daughter's social studies teacher invited questions and led a discussion about previous presidents and why they find it necessary to talk to school children. In a nutshell, they're the future and should be invested in now.

So, my daughter was exposed to two different opinions on both ends of the issue. When she watches the speech on Tuesday, she'll be able to decide for herself which one was more on target.

[kimmi]

Even IF the parent's express their 100% objection to it?

Did I say I would force anyone to watch it?  No!  But if MY President wants to speak to the children in my classroom, then I will provide that opportunity.  It would be no different then him coming to my school and walking in my classroom.  How many parents would then instruct their children to walk out? 

Sandy people like your child's science teacher give the profession of teaching a bad name and I would personally like to kick her ass! 

[Henry Hawk]

Did I say I would force anyone to watch it?  No!  But if MY President wants to speak to the children in my classroom, then I will provide that opportunity.  It would be no different then him coming to my school and walking in my classroom.  How many parents would then instruct their children to walk out? 

Sandy people like your child's science teacher give the profession of teaching a bad name and I would personally like to kick her ass! 

first of all I agree with you as far as Sand's teacher...that is wrong...and IF the POTUS was coming in personally that would be different....meeting a POTUS in person would be a lifelong memory....but as far as this POTUS speaking to the kids...LIVE, I understand why some people do not like it.....they don't like the POTUS...the don't agree with him....and they don't trust him....so NO kid should HAVE to watch it or be pressured into watching it....ALL schools should give ALL kids the option to watch it or go to a study hall or some other school place.

[me]

I think what that science teacher did was just as wrong as the ones are that sing Obama's praises.  Politics are not up to the teachers to teach and should not be a part of the classroom in any manner unless it is a class specifically for that in high school or college and then it should be bi partisan.

[Locutus]

If Bush would have done this, I would have gotten the transcript so that my students could correct the grammar and phonetics of his speeches. 

[Locutus]

I don't care which President it is.  If a President wants to speak to the children of this country, then it will be on in my classroom.  Period! 

Good for you!

[Sandy Eggo]

first of all I agree with you as far as Sand's teacher...that is wrong...and IF the POTUS was coming in personally that would be different....meeting a POTUS in person would be a lifelong memory....but as far as this POTUS speaking to the kids...LIVE, I understand why some people do not like it.....they don't like the POTUS...the don't agree with him....and they don't trust him....so NO kid should HAVE to watch it or be pressured into watching it....ALL schools should give ALL kids the option to watch it or go to a study hall or some other school place.

The students don't seem to be the ones who are getting hysterical over this.

My 11 year old daughter was watching the news about the controversy and said, "Why are these people making a big deal about this when they don't know what he's going to say? and why aren't they giving their kids a chance to listen to it and decide what they think about it? I don't think the parents think kids can think for themselves".

In other words, it's all about the parents and their bias and has NOTHING to do with the opportunity itself or the children.

[me]

Just noticed your avatar and was curious but that's for another thread.

[pariann]

Your daughter has it absolutely correct. Many parents do NOT think kids can think for themselves.  They do not think they can form opinions because there is so much they don't understand.  But that is why children are inquisitive, they WANT to know. They want to think. 

I've come across this on more personal issues, with my ex and his wife thinking that there is no way that my children can decide anything about someone else, that I must be brainwashing them.  Hell if anyone has been brainwashing, it's been the kids over me!! I wouldn't think half of what I think if it weren't for their persuasion.  LOL

[dan foster]

I think what that science teacher did was just as wrong as the ones are that sing Obama's praises.  Politics are not up to the teachers to teach and should not be a part of the classroom in any manner unless it is a class specifically for that in high school or college and then it should be bi partisan.

Better start tearing down all those Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln posters and plaques in all the schools.  Can't have those idiots influencing children's minds.  Especially that atheist (at most deist) Jefferson.

[Henry Hawk]

Better start tearing down all those Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln posters and plaques in all the schools.  Can't have those idiots influencing children's minds.  Especially that atheist (at most deist) Jefferson.

Just for kicks and giggles........THOMAS JEFFERSON said, "The Bible is the source of liberty." He further stated, "The Bible makes the best people in the world."