President Obama makes history again on September 8 with a speech written for and delivered to the students of the United States. This unprecedented speech has become quite controversial and many parents are concerned about allowing their children to watch. For teachers, this is an opportunity to use a current event to teach a bit of social studies and perhaps encourage those students who do watch to set goals for the school year.
How Teachers and Students can Watch the President's Speech
President Obama will speak to the Nation's students on September 8, 2009 at 12:00pm Eastern time. Those teachers who wish to show the speech in their classroom can view the speech live on c-span or watch live on the internet at Whitehouse.gov/live. For those who wish to watch the speech but cannot watch live, video will be available for download on the White house website later in the day. Schools can use the live satellite feed starting at 11:00 am at the coordinates found on the White house website.
Prior to Watching the President's Speech: Lesson Introduction
Introduce students to the speech prior to watching by holding a class discussion about the president. Ask students to share information about the office of president, as well as any significant facts the students might know about President Obama. For additional ideas to teach students some background to the speech, consider these lesson ideas used for President Obama's inauguration.
Ask students to put themselves in the president's shoes and think about what each one of them might want to tell students if he or she was the president. Make a list of these ideas or have older students write an essay explaining what they would say if they were president.
During the President's Speech: Note-taking lesson
While the president is speaking, students should be taking notes. Even the youngest students can take basic notes about the main ideas that President Obama mentions. Older students should be required to take more thorough notes. If note-taking has not been taught yet, teachers should take a day prior to the speech to teach students how to take notes.
After the President's Speech: Lesson Conclusion
After the President's speech, students should hold a class discussion about what the President said. Students should be encouraged to ask questions about anything that may have been confusing and share any key ideas that seemed especially important. Teachers can have students write a list of their goals, or create a visual representation of their goals for the school year for homework as an extension activity for the President's speech.
Watching the President speak to the Nation's students is a great opportunity to teach students about the office of President and the importance of listening to those in authority positions. Teacher should also take advantage of the opportunity to teach students how to take notes and follow up with a class discussion about what the President is asking students to do.
Find lesson extension ideas for following up on President Obama's speech.
Want more? Here are even more Presidential Lesson Plan ideas.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
Join the Conversation