Today I got to watch the inauguration with my class of 28 7th and 8th grade Spanish students and it was a pretty fun experience. I sat in the back of the room and didn't say too much (I don't think public school teachers should share their political opinions), but I did make sure they all understood what was happening. For example, I pointed out Nancy Pelosi to them and not a single student knew who she was. I explained her job and also that she is next in line for the presidency after Joe Biden; that got their attention.
The kids seemed to enjoy everything and they really paid attention. They got very anxious when it was 11:59 and Obama still had not been sworn in, and they complained loudly that the Constitution was being broken. I promised them that everything would be okay. When Diane Feinstein told everybody to stand up for the swearing in, they asked me if they had to stand up. I told them that they didn't have to, but they could if they wanted, and several of them did. They all - even the ones that I know come from very Republican families - cheered after Obama took the oath. He was about halfway through his speech when the bell rang for them to go to lunch, but I even had a few stay behind to watch part of the remainder with me. I thought it was pretty impressive that 8th grade girls gave up their lunch/social time to watch a politician.
I enjoyed the inauguration and Obama's speech, but I also really enjoyed the opportunity to share this experience with my students. I remember the class that I was in when I watched Clinton's first inauguration, and I hope that these kids will remember this experience years from now.
On a side note, Reagan was inaugurated for the first time 28 years ago from today, which also happened to be the day that my mother found out she was pregnant with me. I called her to remind her of that and she thought that was pretty funny.
The kids seemed to enjoy everything and they really paid attention. They got very anxious when it was 11:59 and Obama still had not been sworn in, and they complained loudly that the Constitution was being broken. I promised them that everything would be okay. When Diane Feinstein told everybody to stand up for the swearing in, they asked me if they had to stand up. I told them that they didn't have to, but they could if they wanted, and several of them did. They all - even the ones that I know come from very Republican families - cheered after Obama took the oath. He was about halfway through his speech when the bell rang for them to go to lunch, but I even had a few stay behind to watch part of the remainder with me. I thought it was pretty impressive that 8th grade girls gave up their lunch/social time to watch a politician.
I enjoyed the inauguration and Obama's speech, but I also really enjoyed the opportunity to share this experience with my students. I remember the class that I was in when I watched Clinton's first inauguration, and I hope that these kids will remember this experience years from now.
On a side note, Reagan was inaugurated for the first time 28 years ago from today, which also happened to be the day that my mother found out she was pregnant with me. I called her to remind her of that and she thought that was pretty funny.
1 comment:
Along the lines of the inauguration/pregnancy thing, today Bill and Evelyn (my friends in North Charleston) found out that they are #1 on the waiting list to adopt from Ethiopia!!!
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