It's a bit tough to comment at this point. I have no idea what the President is going to say. If the syllabus came from the White House I would assume based on the way it is presented, that he may be asking kids to do something. I have no idea what though.

Reading through it though, I tried to imagine this same scenario happening with any President, and for the most part didn't have a big problem with it. The information is so generic that it's a little tough to have an opinion.

On my way to will, will respond in a few.

I agree with BigOne. IN the link there is nothing inflammatory. It's all very generic. And even if he does try to sell the kids on his ideals, well, so what? I am not a big Obama fan at all, but he was elected to the Office of the President. IMHO he has the right to speak to our children and I actually aplaud him for doing so. It may get that generation of kids to pay a little more attention to what is going on govt, politics, etc.

That should have been "On my way to work" lol.

Anyways.

I would have a huge problem with it, regardless of which President it happened to be. Bush, I would have freaked, just the same as with Clinton. NO effing way I think that any president should be speaking to my children about anything. There is no good reason why a President needs to address children, period. Politics have no place in school, neither does religion, please keep them both the hell out.

The questions are leading, no critical thinking is allowed, and some of the questions are just plain ridiculous. "Why is it important that we listen to the President...?" Is the answer one of my children would be likely to give "we shouldn't, they should listen to us" going to be acceptable? Most likely not. The one that I think bothers me the most though, "What new ideas and actions is the President challenging me to think about?" BLECH!!!!

I agree Durty, it's a bit Hitlerish.

Anything that gets children to take an active role in politics is a bonus to me. Wouldnt matter to me whether it was Bush, Obama, Cheney, or another figurehead. It is our job as parents to then help them sift through the information they will see/hear, same as it would be from any sitcom, cartoon, or internet video or game.

I feel like the disillusionment trend in younger generations toward politics cannot do anything but hurt future generations. Kids need to be reminded to listen to what viewpoints are out there, but more importantly, to not just accept, but to challenge those ideas. As parents we should be fostering this. Sheltering them from another's viewpoints teaches close mindedness in my opinion. Again, just my opinion.

But your problem comes out of a place of assumption.

You assume that "we shouldn't" will be met with unacceptance or discipline. You assume that the content is political in nature even though it's not been presented yet.

Even if the President asks the kids to think about some new idea or action, following through on it/them isn't mandatory. Thinking about concepts outside of what we normally do is a healthy exercise for kids. Even for adults sometimes.

You are correct, I do assume..but I don't think I'm wrong, if I am, you will see me gladly apologize. And thinking about concepts that are directly in opposition of what I have taught my children is not a problem, they know how to think for themselves. My 'assumption' that their responses will be met with nonacceptance and possibly discipline is a direct result of the same thing already happening more than once before. If they don't accept the party line they are told that 'that kind of talk isn't acceptable in the classroom' when all they have done is bring up points that bother them or that they disagree with the teacher about when it comes to certain elected (or nominated) officials.

Durty, I understand your point. But please understand that the situation you are talking about is not how it happens in every classroom. If that happens in your kids classroom/city/town, that is absolutely intolerable and I am sorry that it happens.

Just know I have many, many, many friends/family that are educators with many different political backgrounds and would never prevent a student from expressing a different view or idea. They have had to reprimand students from expressing expressing idea's about the president, but those were idea's of not listening to what he had to say, because he was not white...

Have you talked to the principle about these issues/concerns? Or does he or she have the same attitude as the teacher?

I agree with Ibsutke and BigOne,

My whole family are teachers including my wife and since US history is taught, having any sitting president speak is huge. Lets face it, he is a big deal regardless of his political views.

The questions are vague and since I see curriculum all the time, this is a-typical for the education field. It is vague, it is leading but that is all lesson plans, they are meant to allow for discussion and participation by the students.

Every President has an education plan and they all visit schools. This is nothing new and I don't think a K-6 grader is going to be digesting meaty issues of state, nor expected to. It will more than likely be talking points for the classroom and more importantly at home with you the parent.

All experiences can be learning ones, so go with the flow and talk with your kids about what they thought.

Honestly, I think this pretty cool. If I was still in school, I would be pretty jazzed about it.

Maybe it will be political, but at the very least it will be an education in governament. Those questions that you think are leading...aren't they really leadng the students to think about government and not about politics? Why is it important to listen to the President? Maybe becasue he is the single most powerful person in the world and he is also a democratically elected official. That, in and of itself, is pretty freakin cool and should be discussed. Think about that...the most powerful man in the world is elected by the people he governs. He does not take power militarily, he is elected.

Anyways, that's my $0.02

@Durty

I am concerned about your kids being singled out or reprimanded by the teacher for having a differing political view. As long as they didn't discuss said person with disrespectful or inappropriate words, I find it hard to stomach an educator being so biased or a school not supporting you the parent. I see lots of things ( My father is a principle, mother an ESL teacher, wife a kindergarten teacher, brother a JRH teacher and aunt a special Ed teacher ) that cover a wide range of issues, and most discipline is not because of a point of view or single action, rather how that view is expressed in the classroom or repeated actions. I would express concern to the Superintendent of Schools were you are and get this addressed ASAP.

Maybe we should start hanging giant photos of Obama up in schools as well, and the children can start calling him "father".

Children are easily influenced, this government knows that. It may seem innocent enough, it's not. My children need to be able to form their own opinions about the government and it's officials, can't be done when this sort of thing going on. There is no reason for it, children are there to be educated, this is not being done for that reason, if you think it is you need to wake up. This is just one more thing that makes me feel like we are moving away from what America really is, or was.
Next is healthcare, after that food vouchers. Does any of this sound familiar? Many Americans need to really figure out what being American really means. This is just one more slap to our faces, government is getting too big, it wasn't designed to be this way. Keep the politicians out of our children's classrooms, and out of their heads.

Bee, incredibly sensationalist and myopic. Sheltering is not the answer. Dissemination and rational contemplation is exactly what the country was founded on. Having a politician address the youth doesn't = big government by any stretch.

I Think I filled my quota for the month on putting my thoughts in on controversial discussions. Time to game or something.

I read these comments and there is a lot of good stuff there. It is too early to judge, but not too early to do your due diligence.

And then I think back to that youtube video from the campaign where the teacher is questioning the student about their support for Bush. A student who has a dad in Iraq. A dad that the teacher tries to convince the student will come home if Obama is president. And I wonder about the wisdom of spending scarce classroom time on topics that are likely better left for older students.

And remember, this is being aimed at "preK - 6". PreK? 4 yr olds? 6th grade is 11 or 12 yr olds. Quite a span and a vast difference in cognitive skills. I wouldn't want to try and address such a diverse group.

All in all, I'm not particularly concerned but I think it is a big waste of the Presidents time.

Think back to where GW was during 9/11...that is right he was in the classroom reading to elementary kids. EVERY President does this, it is not sinister and it is not a Democrat or Republican thing, it is a President of the USA thing. I remember when we had pictures of our sitting President in the classroom, wasn’t a big deal back then and even though I am not a big Obama supporter, I would LOVE to meet him, just because he is the President!

@Bee, holly crap! "My children need to be able to form their own opinions about the government and its officials, can't be done when this sort of thing going on." What sort of thing? The President talking with kids about our political history and how if they try really hard they may be President some day...what an awful thing! I think your kids may have a hard time forming their own opinions with your overly aggressive attitude and fear of what you perceive as the downfall of our Country.

He is the first BLACK President, that is a big deal regardless of his agenda in Washington, and I am sure that is the focus of this telecast, to help kids be a part of the history that is Barack Obama. There are millions of children that see a future for themselves in him, of being more than what they are told they are by society, their parents, and their peers.

I know what being an American is also, I served this Country, I pay my taxes, I vote. This Country is the greatest place on earth because we have freedoms, because we treat all with respect and decency and despite any differences we may have, we can pull together at the drop of a hat and help each other BECAUSE we are all American. That is what being American is to me, what does it mean to you?

From all the info I have seen it seems that he is just going to talk to them about working hard, getting an education, and how important it is.
Im a pretty conservative person, but I still think that President Obama taking the time to talk to the kids of the nation is a big thing. I highly doubt that he is going to bring up health care or the economic status of america to our kids.
My Son's 1st grade class wrote a letter to President Obama last year congratulating him on being elected president and President Obama sent his class back a letter. My son LOVED it. He still talks about it.
Even though I dont agree with what a lot of President Obama is trying to do politically, I still appreciate that he is my president and that that in itself is a pretty cool thing.
Its not like Dirty Joe from down the road is going to be talking to our kids. Its the President!

He says my feelings exactly. Which is funny, because Im usually the right wing nut job is he talking about lol
http://www.examiner.com/x-4383-Portland-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m9d2-Obama-speaks-to-kids-right-wing-panics

@Power
My children no longer attend that school system...and I did meet with the teachers and principal involved when it happened. I was able to reverse most of the disciplinary actions (detention in all cases) but the audacity of them in doing what they did was a bit much for me.

As for the subject of this discussion...
I have zero issue with the idea of my children experiencing different ideas, and discussing them in a open and rational way. With the way many of those questions are worded, I was afraid that wouldn't happen. After speaking with the principals of the schools they attend now I feel better about it. The school my oldest attends is very open minded and they teach the children to listen and exchange ideas, even if they don't agree, everyone opinion is accepted in a respectful way. Which I am totally okay with. I am not some right wing nut job...I'm somewhere in the middle not quite happy on either side so I have issues with everyone, lol.

@Durty
Glad that they have been removed from that BS. And I am with you regarding my standing, not to thrilled with either side.

@Anyone I may have offended
I am sorry if I got heated, I just don't get the Obama is evil and bringing our Country to the gates of hell thing. I am not a huge supporter of all his policies, but he, I HOPE, is trying to do the best thing for everyone. Tough times require tough choices and I am glad I am not in his shoes. So even if I think this healthcare plan is bogus....there will come a time when it needs to happen and probably will happen, and we cannot bury our heads in the Constitution and stock up on ammo, we need to work on it and find the best option we can...and no, no option isn't going to cut it, we are Americans and we invented change.

that is great to hear Durty...Woot!! Um..about talking with the Principals and stuff...LOL

Anyway, I am glad you got more clarification, that is awesome.

If this is a one time message the students, and give them an idea of who your president is and what it means to be the president lecture etc... then yes I will admit I'm over reacting. I just don't see it as that. Would you see this as innocent if this was once a month, week, or daily routine in our classrooms? And to make it clear I'm not an Obama hater, he was given a tough assignment, that's for sure. But I think the way he is going about trying to fix many things lean pretty heavily on the socialist side of things. This is just another example of that. Basically I don't believe in big government, and I feel like we are turning into the USA Inc. But as far as burying my head into the constitution? Yep, I do that. It's there for a reason, if it doesn't piss you off as an AMERICAN when your civil liberties, and constitutional rights are being challenged and violated, well then I can guarantee we won't see eye to eye.

dont forget. Obama is a POLITICIAN. most of these kids will be of voting age in 3 years. this is campaigning, pure and simple.

@Bee
My civil liberties and Constitutional rights are not being infringed on, YET and trust me when I say I would react in a very violent manner if they were. But I am also in the camp of the Constitution is a living document that is vague for a reason and open to interpretation via the Judiciary and Bill of Rights...kinda why they are there, to modify a document so it can withstand the test of time and evolution of a government as needs dictate. Example, black powder rifle vs automatic rifle...times change and I do not see a need for every American to own an M16 to "hunt". But again, I would never allow for the removal of my right to own a handgun for protection or a rifle to hunt with...but an Uzi or AK are hardly protected in my mind by the Constitution...just common sense to me. But I agree with you. If this was a daily, weekly or even monthly thing...then I would start to wonder and voice my concern.

@JerryAtric
The children are preK-6th grade; I do not see them being eligible to vote within 3 years unless they have been held back. And to think that he would spend 1 day trying to campaign to children 3 years before the next election...well again, these are the comments that make me nervous about America, not Obama.

Well I called my kids school and the lady who answered the phone didnt have any idea what i was talking about, but i left STRICT instructions that my daughter would not have MY permission to watch any video from Obama. My views in life are totally different from his views aswell as his commie/socialist friends and czars he surrounds himself with. NO i am not a racist but i am a Conservative and im a firm believer in the Constitution and what my ancestors and Fore-Fathers fought and died for. My children will be raised with such values until they are at the age they can decide for themselves. But NO the President has NO right to address the children aswell as giving them worksheets. Children at the age he's wanting to talk to are like sponges, they listen to everything and they soak it up. Anyway my .02 cents.

@Millfire

Your ancestors and Fore-Fathers fought and died so that the President of these here United States couldn't talk to the youth of America about hard work and the American dream? I must have missed that part of American History cause my ancestors fought in Europe and my Fore-Fathers fought for Freedom and Liberty against the Indians as Colonists, then the French ( again as Colonists ), then Indians again, then the British, Then France in a Naval war, then there was the Barbary War - so Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, then the British again in 1812, then more Indians, then Mexicans, then ourselves, then Spain, then Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary, then Germany, Italy, Japan, then North Korea and Communist China, then North Vietnam, then Cuba, Grenada, Panama in that order, then Iraq, then Bosnia and Herzegovina, then Afghanistan and lastly Iraq again...I don't see anything about a war against the highest elected official in our Country speaking to children, hmmmm ......BOOM, BOOM, DOUBLE HEADSHOT as you like to say.

[url]http://www.theitem.com/article/20090903/ITNEWS01/709039843/-1/ITNEWS[/url]

K-12 beeyotch. those little spoiled brats WILL be voting.

@jerryatric

I stand 100% corrected. when this all started I was under the impression it was PreK-6 only. I still don't think it is to campaign, but if his message helps a kid decide TO vote, then he at least did something right.

@PowerMacAttack

In your rant of ancestry fighting you forgot to mention the most bloodiest battle of our American History: the Civil War.

@Bee

I agree all the way with you Bee. This is only the beginning of ObamaCare, ObamaRule, whatever you want to call it.

Last 2 presidents to do the same thing? Bush I and Reagan. Although the democrats bitched about the Dept of Education spending $$ to make the telecast for Bush... so partisanship continues. Nothing wrong with it then, nothing wrong with it now.

To those who are just upset because Obama doesn't hold the same beliefs as you, do you demand that the history books have the chapters redacted that cover our past presidents whom you disagree with? No, you might/should talk to them at home about why or why not you feel they were a good president, but they should still be EXPOSED to those people BECAUSE they were the POTUS! The President of the United States should be respected, no matter who they are, because of the position. Not followed blindly, but respected. If not, then when the elections are over, you should move out if your "man" doesn't win. Disgree if you disagree, voice your opinion, but be respectful... and most importantly VOTE, and teach your children to -- with an open and informed mind.

Read the transcript. It's not a campaign and it's not about his policies.. unless the policies of staying in school and working hard for your education are policies you disagree with.... which it sounds like might be the case with some on here.

You must be pretty insecure with the indoctrination you do in your own homes to your kids if you think a short speech on studying hard and staying in school from a SITTING PRESIDENT is going to undo it all.

My issue was not so much the speech itself (after reading the transcript yesterday, not much of a problem at all), but the lesson plans to follow the speech that were suggested by the Department of Education. Those lesson plans were bs, period. And sorry...my children weren't in school during Bush I or Reagan...hell, I barely was, so I can therefore disagree all I want to because it isn't hypocritical.

The point I made about Reagan and Bush was only to illustrate that partisanism has gotten in the way of education in the past, just like it is now. On both sides. The only real difference was that back then, it seemed more reasoned and calm... not the numbers of parents threatening to pull their kids out of school. And yes, I actually do think it's hypocritical to threaten to pull your kids out of school or disallow them to see their President speak because you disagree with his politics. You let them go to history class, I hope.

We are truly in a sad state when the President of the US can't speak to children without this sideshow. Keep politics out of the classroom... eh.. that's not too critical-minded. Kids shouldn't know anything about politics until they're able to vote? Yes, he's a politician, but he's also the leader of our country and for the most part the leader of the free world. Kids shouldn't have that image sullied by their parents politics. Teach them to think critically about his politics, definitely... but teach them to not respect the elected leader of our country (even if I or you didn't vote for him?)? No way.

I was going to let this drop because I think anyone who saw the speech with an open-mind would realize it had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with being good students and respecting your parents, teachers, and hard work. Yep, the lesson plans were screwed up, but that was admitted and they were changed... but how many lesson plans do you remember from your time in school that were sent down by "administration" whether it be school, district, state, etc... that weren't screwed up? They aren't teacher's at the ground-level, they don't get it. I wouldn't either, not my job.

What encouraged me to come back here and write was that I was sitting in a pharmacy on base waiting to have a prescription filled for a recent deployment return (darn those third-world water-systems) while the speech was on a TV in the waiting room. It was sad to hear all these retirees also waiting for their prescriptions (Read: FREE GOVERNMENT SPONSORED VA/Military Health Care) huffing and puffing to themselves(literally in some cases) about how much "bull$hit" it was that he was on and "I shouldn't have to listen to this...(puff puff, hmpf)". And one of those "Bull$hit" comments was RIGHT AFTER he started speaking and he had said "pay attention to your teachers; listen to your parents and grandparents..."
Really, sir? Are you so blinded by your partisanship, your politics, your (ooh, can't say it...) racism, perhaps?... that the President telling kids to respect their elders is "Bull$hit" and "a shame"?

I'll tell you what's a shame. Me, actively and proudly serving my country, having just returned from a combat zone overseas... and I'm ashamed to be sitting next to a veteran. That's what's sad and a shame about this whole mess.

@Geisha

The "then ourselves" was in refernce to the Civil War. I consider both side Americans and as such we fought and beat ourselves....go us!