Since Barack Obama was elected, he has given two speeches to students. The first was a year ago and the second one was just last week. For some reason there is some controversy that surrounds these speeches and many districts around the country strictly forbid teachers from showing them.
Your job is to watch the speech President Obama gave on September 12, 2010 and write a blog about it. Your blog needs to cover TWO areas. The first paragraph needs to simply be your reaction to the speech. Write about things like what you learned from it, the message you think it sent, how well it hit home with you, etc. The SECOND paragraph needs to focus on what you think about district forbidding teachers to show this speech. What message does this send to not only our students, but to the rest of the world?
As always I suggest you type your reply in Google Docs then copy and paste it into here. Use name/url and include your first name and your last initial.
The speech from the President Barack Obama was a very interesting topic at the least I really don’t I don’t know how to say this but care for the president but I thought that this was a great way to get kids thinking about school and their future in life and in school. I noticed that he is an everyday average man and that in life you can be what you want to be if you never give up and keep going strong with your studies in life and in school and also in your job. I also noticed that he wasn’t the greatest in school and that it took a lot for him to make it through school and was always putting up with his mother.
ReplyDeleteI really don’t know why teachers don’t show this speech there is something wrong with them they are basically saying that there students don’t need to hear any words of wisdom that they are already on the right track. The President did not say anything wrong or negative about students or cut anybody or anything down the only reason I can think of the teachers not showing the students the speech is because they don’t like the president. If I was to be a teacher I would have my student watch this and then tell me what they got out of it and then have them tell about what they can do in life and how they one day could also be the president of the United States Of America.
Cody M.
The presidents speech to me was very mind changing and makes you wish you could go back an do better. And accomplish more in school Evin though theirs still time to accomplish plenty. And I learned that to achieve your dreams and goals in life you have to sacrifice thing you may not want to. But in the end you will have achieved plenty. And the president speech to me felt like he was telling us the people, the united states of America. That in order for us to achieve and grow in to a bigger and stronger country. We have to look to our younger generations because that's where our country's future is. And for districts forbidding student from watching this video is pretty insane. Because it expresses what we the people need to do to succeed in the present time and future. And whatever districts are forbidding this video should have a change of mind. Because not only can this video be mind changing but a building block to your kids future in life. Just off of simple thing that get said in this speech. and the message it sends to all kids across the country is no matter who you are where you come from you can be anything you want to be in life.
ReplyDeleteI believe he is correct students need to work hard and put forward the best effort they can. i Liked when he said the farther you go in education the farther you go in life. That is very true the harder you try the farther you will go. Every student should be thankful for getting free education and try there best to succeed and get as far as possible in life.
ReplyDeleteI think that school districts should allow students to watch this i see nothing wrong with this speech it is just a motivational speech telling the youth to try there best and not to give up. there is no reason that students shouldn't be aloud to watch this speech. If students did watch it it might help and motivate them
Well, I don’t really follow politics, therefore Barack Obama’s speech was as if my mom or teacher or principle or grandma were lecturing me about the same things Obama mentioned. It didn’t really have that great of an affect of me; other than some of the things he said are true.
ReplyDeleteAs I was listening to the President make his speech, I thought about my own future, and the decisions I’ve made yesterday that got me here today. Do I regret things that I’ve done? Yes. Should I regret things I’ve done? No. Living your life in regret is blocking you from seeing your future and being the most you can be. I thought he was right about the bullying and kids being different. I’m glad we’re not all the same. I’m glad there’s some kids that stand out more than others. That’s what makes life so interesting. If we were all the same I would be bored. Being different is what makes us who we are today.
I don’t really see why the school boards and districts denied letting teachers show Obama’s speech in schools. He didn’t say anything wrong, he was just repeating what every teacher, principle, and mother says to their children; hoping he could get the message across. I’m not completely in favor of Obama being President; but I think just because of his skin color the school boards are denying his speech’s in their schools. They think just because they block it from school, kids aren’t going to hear it? Yeah right. Like, I honestly don’t see the problem. So yeah.
I personally didn't care for Obama's speech. He is just trying to compete with education in Asia, which I don't think we can. Even though it is a good idea for the students to understand who the president is, we don't really need to hear him preach the same things we hear everyday. Seriously, I'm pretty sure we hear the exact same things from our parents and our teachers. I mean it could be encouraging hearing it from a president to some people, but students don't really care, it's just the president.
ReplyDeleteSo I think the schools were right to forbid this lecture. Sure the meaning behind it is important to students, but it was a waste of time. None of the students would have actually gotten anything out of it. If they did then good for them they can be the next president, but not many teenagers care about it. The president can't motivate teenagers, he's an old man, to them he knows nothing..
I think the thing Obama is trying to get across is, we determine our future. We can do anything we try to, if we try hard enough. I'm not a huge fan of Obama but this speech was very motivating. He has a great point. Us kids; teenagers we struggle as well. We overstress and worry and it can affect our education and how hard we try for it.
ReplyDeleteI don't see why people didn't want this video shown I honestly don't. This speech was meant for all children of America, and us as a country should support the children of America. In my opinion this speech should be shown. He addresses violence in classrooms, and struggles that we all face. Great speech.
This is a good inspirational speech. Obama pretty much says the same stuff that your parents and teachers say. The speech made me want to finish school and go on to college and get a good career. I like how he uses a lot of stories that happened in his life. He also makes a lot of sense unlike all the other president speeches that usually don't make sense. This speech is a speech that students can understand and get something out of.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty dumb that the schools don't want to show this speech. It is the president of the United States that is the country we live in we need to support the country. Not everyone likes the president but still he is our president and we need to support him. Besides it is a good inspirational speech that is about school and finishing school. I personally think that it should be shown in school.
I think Obama makes some good points. Us as students need to step up and make some change for this 21st century. Teachers also need to do that because they are the support and sometimes the idols of us students. Obama speech provides good advice to students, teachers, and everybody in the United States. Like Obama says, "Just because you're not the best at something today, doesn't mean you can't be tomorrow."
ReplyDeleteI think the district should let the teachers show this to students. They should because Obama makes plenty of good points and gives great advice. He tells us that we can accomplish anything in our life if we want to. I understand if district doesn't show this to elementary students, but honestly should show it to middle and high school students. He also says "We all are different and we shouldn't be embarrassed about who we are." Like I said, Obama gives great advice.h
Obama's speech makes really good sense to me. He tells us that we need to go above and beyond call of duty. This speech explains that its not just up to the teachers, parents or the students but that its everyone's job to make sure that you do well in school. Effort is the one thing that everyone needs. He also says that you can discover what your good at or you may not be able to do one thing now but that doesn't mean you cant in the future. When he said that you just have to work harder or just as hard as the next person.
ReplyDeleteI think that all students should be able to hear this. The parents that say there kids shouldn't listen to this must really not care. Obama makes a good point in his speech. This speech may not be for little kids but it would be good for high school students to listen to. This district should allow teachers to let there students listen to this. He also said he was proud of all the students for what we have accomplished.
What I think about this speech when I watched it. Was that I liked it a lot. Obama Talked about some of his personal stories and it was nice to know that he is trying to encourage the youth of the United States to work hard. He said that if you work hard you can accomplish anything you want. I believe this is very true. Especially seeing as how he said he was not the best student in school and just worked hard enough to get by. I think that's very interesting because he is now the president. I pretty much just really agreed with everything he talked about.
ReplyDeleteI think that the districts forbidding this speech from being shown in schools is just really, really, really, stupid. He didn't talk about anything that was inappropriate for teenagers or or children to hear. Of course I doubt children understood everything he was talking about but that's because they are little. But for the teenagers I think this speech is really good for them to hear. It gives a lot of encouragement to students to work hard and reassures them to not worry too much about what's going on in the world. And to worry about working hard in school to get far in their life and help the United States prosper to become great again.
My first reaction was, is the speech directed for first graders? Obamas words sure seems like it. Talking about being "nervous" for a new school year. I haven't been nervous about school for a long time.
ReplyDeleteAfter I kept watching, my impression about the speech changed, as he started to direct it more towards high school it seems. I can really relate to a lot of the things he said. He reminded me that school is, indeed, worth it.
I enjoyed the speech President Obama gave. I liked the way he talked about the way education can improve a students future. I also like the way he used himself as an example. I liked the way he said you don’t have to be great at something but maybe the next day you will be better.
ReplyDeleteI do not understand why some teachers do not want their students to listen to President Obama speech. I think the message the teachers are sending are they do not respect the President enough to take time out of their class to listen to the President talk about education.
my thoughts on the presidents speech is that i thought that it sent a very important message saying that you should never give and you should always keep pushing forward. I think that he is right because if you don't pass high and get your diploma you really cant do anything at all
ReplyDeleteand i think that schools wont let the president speak at there school is dumb i think that he is the president i don't think that you should tell he can not talk to the students that freaking stupid its not like he is going to tell them something bad that they shouldn't hear.
My reaction to this speech was like any other it was a really really good speech but honestly the only difference between this speech and what I already know is that the president is reminding me of what I know already but I know that sounds horrible but every student should know that our future is our own to write the key to success is right there now weather you take it and use to open all others doors well that’s all up to us. I understand this concept I understand how important school is to our success but that’s just me so in other words it’s good that the president reminds and at least cares about the students that don’t understand how important it is. Hopefully that those students will at least listen to him if they won’t listen to their parents. I liked this speech because its reminder that there’s still actually people that care maybe not on certain individuals but as a whole because if you look at it no one’s ever taken the time to sit there and tell you what has to be don’t about your future besides you parents so hopefully the kids who don’t understand will understand now.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I don’t see why some school districts don’t allow their schools to watch these speeches, these speeches are phenomenal these speeches can actually save their students from failing but people should understand that not everyone’s the same let’s not forget how ignorant America can be at times. I personally think that every kid in America should see these speeches even if there in school or not these are inspirations to some kids. Some kids are not lucky enough to have someone tell them how their future depends on them or have any one there to remind them how important school is to them but then again we are reminded how ignorant some people are and there there own person and no one can tell them how to act or behave so like I said the keys are there weather people use them or not that’s a different story.
my thoughts on the presidents speech. Is that i thought that it sent a very important message. saying that you should never give and you should always keep pushing forward. I think that he is right because if you don't pass high and get your diploma you really cant do anything at all. Like for example like you cant even work a McDonald's with out a high school diploma. So without a diploma i really don't think that you could go anywhere in life.
ReplyDeleteand i think that schools wont let the president speak at there school is dumb i think that he is the president i don't think that you should tell he can not talk to the students that freaking stupid its not like he is going to tell them something bad that they shouldn't hear. I believe that the students have a right to hear what the president has to say to them. And if he has the time to take out of his day. To come and talk to a school i think it has to be important then wouldn't you think so.
I think he is trying to give a good message and maybe the kids around the world will take in what he says and try harder. I think schools that forbid there students from watching is not a good idea. His words might not be a strong to one person as they are to another. But it is still important to have them see it. He is our president and we should give him a little respect and have a positive attitude towards him. He was trying to tell those kids to try there best and to try and try no matter how many times you may fail. Cause we learn from out failures and mistakes. And i think that would be good for all kids and schools to watch and take in. If schools won't let kids watch it is disrespecting him. Its almost like the schools are trying to shut him out. So i think it is important for kids to see this and all schools should allow it to be played.
ReplyDeleteOBLIGATIONS! There is a great obligation to succeed as a student. To be as educated as a senior in China, or Australia etc. There is a great lack in dedication among United States student, I believe. I also believe there is a lack of motivation among American students. I don't know what exactly there is too blame, I would say there is many things factoring into that. Although keeping student from seeing what their own president has to say can be a detrimental factor in there motivation, especially when it is as promising as what President Obama has to say here!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the President’s speech was he is telling everyone what we sort of know. It’s good he did this because we might know it but most of us aren’t taking it as serious as we should. He’s sending an important message and it’s probably going to help some people get back on track. The message he sent was basically that students need to focus and try their hardest to achieve their goals because they can do it.
ReplyDeleteI don’t see a problem for schools to let their students see these speeches. The districts don’t really make sense for that. I don’t think its that big of a deal. I think it would help students focus a little bit more. For them to watch this speech might help some kids out.
This speech was an eye opener to me because if I really want to do well in school all I have to do is work harder school is not hard everything is given to you but you have to earn your grades by what you learn. He had a good point when he said it’s not how smart you are its how hard you work and weather you are trying hard to succeed in those classes. The president is showing that he does care about all of us by having these speeches telling us we need to be successful. When Obama said that other countries are competing with us, I thought to myself and thought wow he is right the future of America is in our hands. I like how at the end he said maybe one of you will be up here as the president talking to students because that’s going to push students to try hard to succeed.
ReplyDeleteReally I think those districts that were forbidding the teachers to show this video don’t want the students around to be successful. I think the President does these speeches to help motivate this country so we can be successful. I think that people are still being ignorant because our president is of a different race. Most people are republicans and Obama is a democrat. I think those districts are mad because Obama is giving good advise.
I like what the president talks about in this speech, its good and gives his message across clear i think. School is basically the only way to make a good future for everyone we just have to work hard. In order to be successful, we have to work with lots of effort even if we like the classes we take or not. Just do the best we can do...
ReplyDeleteAs for some schools/teachers not letting their students watch his speech is dumb, he gives a real good point. Education IS the KEY to SUCCESS... Which all student might just take what he has to say in mind and push themselves even more. It’s not like Obama is saying anything negative. I think that all school districts should let them at least hear what he has to say.
I cant think of a reason why the speeches shouldn't be heard. Personally I liked the speech, I like that Obama understands the problems that come with a new year. I like that he is encouraging us to do and be what we want in life. Obama is saying that as long as we keep our effort consistent that we should be able to do what we want in life and succeed. Obama says “Don't give up if you don't succeed at something the first time try again, and learn from your mistakes” and that's something that i like to tell myself all the time but its hard to keep pushing yourself to do better. He says that we should learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others to be able to know what the right and wrong things are that will and will not help you to succeed.
ReplyDeleteI cant think of a reason why school districts shouldn't show this speech. I think its a good speech and should be heard by all students. I think its wrong if they wont let people hear the speech because of Obama`s color or race or because they don't like him. I also think another reason they mite be keeping the speech from being heard is because in the conclusion Obama says God bless you and God bless America and in some places its not okay to talk about God and the bible and religion in schools. In my opinion the speech was good and should be showed if people want to see it there’s nothing bad or offensive in the speech.
My opinion on Obama's speech was it was a good speech and I honestly do not know why they are not letting some schools show that speech I do not believe that he said anything wrong what is so wrong about telling kids do not give up on your dreams what Barack Obama was telling us we here everyday in life from different people so what makes it so different now that he is telling us We all know that are future is what we make of it are parents teach us that are teachers teach us that but when the president of the United States tries to tell us that it is a different story and we should not be allowed to hear well i disagree. I thought Obama had a very nice speech and we should have all been able to watch it regardless of what our parents and teachers said.
ReplyDeleteThere’s nothing more exciting than to see your child become encouraged by one of the most smartest, noblest, and most definitely honest person in the world, President Barack Obama. Obviously this man was ready for the world no matter whats being thrown in his face during his long journey trying to make the country a better and comfortable place to live in. So why not show the speeches in school nothing that he says in his discussion is offending. The president wants to see the next generation succeed, finish school, have a healthy and hearty lifestyle. Barack Obama is quite the spokesman for all young individuals. For those who don’t have any encouragement at home or with brother’s and sister’s would take this message very seriously and might grow to become something because of President Barack Obama’s expression and communication.
ReplyDeleteThis is an example racial criticism, districts don’t give it chance to actually let the speeches run its course, and it shouldn't be because of your color or race. You see but what I think their trying to address is that how one in every one hundred Americans are in jail and one in every nine black Americans are in jail also, and the money that we spend on taking individuals to jails will a younger individual that will be less likely to send his or her child to college. “So why share black male speeches when their up to no good.” Which always never true its rather UN-human and very offending.
My opinion on Obama's speech is he is right on what he is telling us about not giving up and that you do need a education to get places in life and I truely believe they do not show that speech in schools because of his race what is he saying that is so bad we here the same thing he is telling us everyday from are teachers are parents and a lot of other people in life but we can not here it from the president there is no excuse for not showing this in schools
ReplyDeleteMy overall thoughts on the speech President Barack Obama gave at that school was he sent a powerful message. Not just to the school that he spoke at but to any kid who is in school who has been able to watch and listen to what he had to say. He had very valid points on how you have the will to be successful, my favorite thing he said was how nobody writes our destiny but us, that our future is in our hands. That helped me realize that it really is up to us on how we want our lives to play out, and if you don’t believe that then you will never live up to your full potential. It would of been an honor to actually be in the audience and hear this message from our very own president, but the message is just as powerful to me over the Internet for the simple fact that he was speaking to us kids as a nation, not just one school.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the district forbidding other teachers to show this speech to students, I think that is a huge mistake on their part. This speech is inspirational and can be to many other students who haven't had the chance to watch it yet. He is speaking out to the kids of America and to forbid teachers from letting them show it to their students is completely unfair to all those kids who might not realize what all they can do. All this speech shows is that our president really does care about the education of today and all the kids who are seeing it through to make a better future for themselves and I believe it should be seen and heard.
My reaction on the speech is that he's right and he has a lot of knowledge and everyting he said made scense. I learned that graduating is a high priority in the USA and that Obama is pro-school. The message i think it sent was that we need a higher graduating rate not a higher drop-out rate. It hit home a little cause i hate school i think its pointless but my dad wants me to graduate so im goin to somehow even though it means nothing to me.
ReplyDeleteI dont really understand or know why the district forbid the teachers from showing students this. Especially because it focuses on schools, teachers, and students. Its a good thing for us to watch this maybe it'll strike something in someone and they end up inventing something important you never know. The message we all get from the district baning this speech is that they obviously dont care so why should we?
the speech was an eye opener although he is telling us what we already know. But this also reminds us how important education is too us. We may not believe it now but in the long run we will realize what education is too us and where it is going to get us. I just do not understand why some people think that Obama is the worst president ever? Or maybe its because I don't listen to the news very much.
ReplyDeleteWhat we all have to realize is that our country was in a huge crisis when he came in to the presidency. Its going to be hard to get us all out of this mess. I am sure it is a struggle for him as much as it is for us. I also have too agree on what he said nobody writes our will but us he is right on that because we are the only ones who choose our destiny.
In conclusion I believe that Obama made a good point. And for those teachers who do not let allow time in class for students to listen to what he has too say they should allow a little time. Because what he had to say in this one was an eye opener to lots of people and could have helped some of them who are struggling in some sort of way..