It isn’t often that a teacher gets to educate kids on a topic that already has them captivated and enthused. The Inauguration of Barack Obama is just such an occasion and presents a number of avenues a teacher can take, from civil rights to government to Presidential history. Children have been involved in this election in a huge number and in so many creative ways. Some sang songs of courage and unity, some sang rounds of “yes we can”, others did their own version of “baracknroll”. They drew pictures and sold their home-baked cookies and some even emptied their piggy banks. Little Damon William even got a press credentials to the inaugural activities.
With kids already this excited, introducing lessons on the Presidents, the Inauguration, or the Government has never been easier. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has joined with the two teachers unions to present lesson plans, as have a number of other organizations. Obama-Mamas.com has compiled a list of resources that are free and have downloads and complete lesson plans.
On 01-20-2009 at Noon, a new chapter in world history begins in a small city call Washington, DC on the steps of the U.S. Capitol when a gentleman from State Office in Illonois becomes the 44th President of The United States.
President Barack Obama will take over for the Ex-President George W. Bush as the most powerful man in the universe other than the SUN.
Those lucky 240,000 invitees who will eye witness the events will have a story to pass down to their generation. Those who refused to face the apathy of their generation will also have a story to tell.
There will be countless others in Washington that day un lucky enough to have gotten an invite but lucky enough to have been in washington that day.
They too will have a story to tell.
If you are in Washington D.C that day, make sure you get one of those commorative Subway (metro) cards and save it. They will be a collector's item 1 day
God Bless America and the change she just encountered !
01-20-2009, the world awaits
As this is my first posting, I'll introduce myself: I am a retired art museum librarian, a grandmother with three children and five grandsons married to my husband for 42 years. I have three gay people in my family, so I am especially sensitive to the insults of people like Rick Warren, of whose ministry I have been aware for several years. (Yes, I'm aware of his opinions about the environment, the poor, etc. It doesn't ameliorate his abusive and wrong comments about gays.) I was shocked to find out yesterday that Barack Obama, whom I have supported since Fall 2006 because of his healing leadership, has chosen Rick Warren to present the invocation at his inauguration ceremony. Warren is a man who has made very clear his disdain for the gay community and there is no way Mr. Obama can select Warren for this prominent national exposure without sending a clear message of uncaring to gays, their families, and friends.
I've just posted the following comment within a petition to Rick Warren on the Courage Campaign website. I repeat it below in hopes that Barack Obama or a close associate may read it and consider either withdrawing the invitation or asking Warren to decline it. Obama has really disappointed me terribly in asking this very devisive figure to appear and lead a prayer at his inauguration. I supported you, Mr. Obama, primarily because of the sense that you could bring people together. I understand that you want to listen to what Rick Warren has to say--even that you think all of us should listen to what he has to say--in a less significant forum. But Rick Warren, by publicly equating homosexuality with pedophilia, polygamy, and incest, cannot be representative of the kind of leader--religious or not--to whom you would lend such prominence. I was looking forward to watching the inauguration on TV. Having to see and hear Rick Warren take part in it has completely spoiled it for me. I'm not exaggerating. Here's what I wrote to Warren:
To Rick Warren: I respect your opinion about "marriage," though I don't agree with it. But I can't respect someone who equates gay people with practitioners of pedophilia, incest, and polygamy. Look around you, Mr. Warren. Some of your "best friends"--or parishoners--are undoubtedly gay, and even if they aren't your friends, they deserve to have equal rights--including marriage--under the law. Marriage is not just a religious custom; it is a civil custom and can be performed between atheists as well as people of faith. Shame on Barack Obama (whom I supported strongly) for including you in such a significant national ceremony, intended for ALL Americans. Since some of your right-wing supporters are also against your inclusion in the inauguration, I believe the best thing for everyone would be for you to decline Mr. Obama's invitation.
I was so moved today to see that Obama has invited all the surviving Tuskeegee Airmen to be special guests at his inauguration. However, they will be challenged to actially attend. Here's what the New York Times said about it:
"As you may know, most of the Tuskegee Airmen — the legendary elite force of black pilots and ground crew who were segregated into their own unit in World War II are over the age of 80 and many are frail. For most of them, getting to the inauguration is a daunting prospect. The original airmen (they will have to provide documentation) will receive tickets for themselves and one guest to the swearing-in ceremony at the West Front of the Capitol, but that doesn’t guarantee easy passage."
They have set up a way on their website for people to share ideas and resources to help get these honored guests to the inauguration. If you have ideas, do check out this page.
Get on Board
Road Trip Itinerary
Departure: Sunday, January 18, 2009 @ 10:00 PM Sharp
Nova Southeastern University-Davie (main campus)
Return: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
SINCE THIS IS A HISTORICAL EVENT THIS BUS TRIP WILL BE VIDEOTAPED INTO A DOCUMENTARY TO SHARE WITH OTHER WHO COULD NOT ATTEND.
