Lesson on Obama Inauguration

Teaching Students about the Presidential Inauguration

Jan 4, 2009
Jennifer Wagaman

Teaching Students About the 44th President - kakisky

Use these lesson ideas to teach your students about the first African-American becoming the President of the United States of America.

On January 20, 2009, history will be made as the first African-American man becomes the President of the United States of America. Teachers should take advantage of this momentous event by taking the time to teach their students about the history of the African-American presence in America and the changes that have taken place over time.

Teaching the African-American Beginning in America

Read Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates [Puffin, 1989] with your class. If your students are not old enough to read this book themselves, you can read the book aloud. Discuss with your students the effect of the slave trade on America. How would the world be different if there had not been slavery? Do not shy away from difficult discussion topics, but do not allow your students to become racist either towards or against any single race of people.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Learn about Martin Luther King Jr. as a class. Ask the students to identify the significance of the fact that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated the day before Inauguration Day. Many people today still remember the day of living "separate but equal" [Exploring Constitutional Conflicts, accessed January 4, 2009]. This has changed dramatically since Martin Luther King Jr's Day, and according to Stephen Kiehl in The Baltimore Sun, "the idea of an African-American rising to the nation's highest office prompted reflections on how far they had come and where they had started" ["A Proud New Day", November 6, 2008].

Group Activities to Celebrate African-American Advances

Group students together and assign each group a topic to report on. One group should report on slavery in America. Choose materials and texts that explain slavery in an age appropriate way, and be sure to spend time with this group to answer any questions they may have along the way. Decide on a list of requirements that the students must include in their report, such as pictures, research facts, and a written report.

Another group should report on Martin Luther King Jr., his life, work and death. Students should share with the class several events that Martin Luther King participated in, the causes he fought for, and other pertinent information about his life. Have students discuss the effect that this one man had on the nation, and reflect on the effects that the Civil Rights movement will still have on the future.

An Historic Inauguration Day

Regardless of which presidential candidate each individual voted for in the election of 2008, the inauguration of President-Elect Obama is an historical event. Have your students watch the inauguration, if at all possible. They should take notes on what they see, and discuss their observations as a class. If your students are old enough to write a report, have them research the election process, and write their thoughts and opinions about the election of Barack Obama.

As Barack Obama, once an Illinois State Senator, becomes the 44th President of the United States of America, your students will learn about the amazing changes that have taken place over the last forty-some years. A race of people once exploited and taken advantage of has now taken an equal place in American society.

Learn more ideas for teaching history.

Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.

Comments

Jan 7, 2009 11:16 AM

Guest :

Barack Obama is our 44th president and Im proud of him for not giving up

Jan 15, 2009 9:21 AM

Guest :

I think that our students as well techers will benefit from this day. I can't wait until Monday.

Sep 4, 2009 11:06 AM

Guest :

In our country it seems it should be totally acceptable for students to view a speech by the President encouraging them to do their best in school. The fact that there is such an uproar with many parents using exactly the same words to express their concerns means there is a concerted effort by a group/s to stop anything this President tries to do. Maybe if teachers didn't have to focus so much on test scores they could spend more time teaching students to THINK and then conversations would be of more substance. I look forward to President Obama's speech next Tuesday.

Sep 5, 2009 1:13 AM

Guest :

The reason for the uproar is that K - 6 students were asked to do the following:

The lesson plans – one plan for pre-K-6 students and another plan for students in grades 7-12 – provided specific activities and assignments for children to do before, during, and after the president’s speech.

The pre-k-6 plan instructs teachers to ask children “Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials…” It further directs teachers to have children consider the following while listening to Obama’s speech:

“What is the President trying to tell me?”
“What is the President asking me to do?”
“What new ideas and actions is the President challenging me to think about?”

The plan continues, “Students can record important parts of the speech where the President is asking them to do something. Students might think about: What specific job is he asking me to do…Are we able to do what President Obama is asking of us?”

Then they are asked to write a letter about how they can personally help Obama which is collected and then handed back to them at a later date to teach accountability.

Now can you see the problem?

This is the same strategy used by Kim Jong Li in North Korea and was used by Hitler.

http://www.dailymotion.com/us/video/x6y1xz_children-singing-praise-obama_ news?from=rss

Sep 5, 2009 11:26 PM

Guest :

I would like to encourage dialog that attempts to evaluate the facts of the President's speech. Preferrably after he has made some injurious statement, not in anticipation of some emminent gaff or political razing. I feel sorry for those who are so blinded by political dogma (democrat and republican)that they are upset because he is trying to encourage kids to stay in school and be successful in education.

Not sure who Kim Jung Li is but I am guessing you meant Kim Jung il and Hitler. Either way, someone needs to lay off the Kool-Aide.

Sep 7, 2009 9:29 AM

Guest :

Will the president allow his daughters to listen to a public school teacher? Of course not that's why he has them in private school.

Sep 9, 2009 6:16 AM

Guest :

Poster at [Sep 5, 2009 1:13 AM], can you point me to an official, verified copy of these lesson plans that are deemed objectionable?

Have you viewed them for yourself?

I would like to see them for myself and decide for myself.

Sep 9, 2009 4:58 PM

Guest :

I think that this has been blown very much out of proportion. Here are the links to the lesson plans that I found. And, if possible, maybe someone could provide concrete similarities between the fascist lesson plans and the lesson plans provided by the US Department of Education or any concrete information about the fascist lesson plans of former North Korean leader Kim Jung Li and Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler.
Grades Prek - 6
http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/prek-6.pdf
Grades 7-12
http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7-12.pdf

8 Comments