Emma Pell

Reporter

 

On September 8, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., President Barack Obama addressed public school students, in their classrooms, nation-wide. Students in grades K-12 were invited to listen to his speech. The overall point of the speech was to encourage kids to stay in school and get a good education. For the older students, pamphlets were handed out at the end of the speech so that they could further discuss Obama’s speech. Teachers were directed to ask the children how they can be responsible to help President Obama and the government.

Before the speech was aired, some people said that the speech would be political, and that Obama didn’t want parents listening in. Others said that the speech was merely to be addressed only to the budding young scholars. Quite a few parents elected to keep their kids at home. Others chose to opt out.

Even though there was controversy before the speech, afterward, all were in agreement that the speech proved to be inspirational.

 If you viewed the speech on the internet, what did you think?

You can visit one of these websites to watch short videos from two different perspectives on the government and Obama.  You can also watch Obama’s speech to the students at the address below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtGrp5MbzAI:

 

Obama Kids Music Video

www.timhawkins.net/ :The Government Can

 

To watch the full speech go to:

www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/ ▲