Pizza party for the Obama speech

[Taitertots]

I'm proposing to all the teachers here that they should bring in pizza for the Obama speech. At the very least have a fun event after so the children remember the Obama speech they had so much fun after.

Don't punish children who have stupid parents. It will just sour them to our righteous cause.

[LeftyMom]

1. "our righteous cause"?

If history teaches one thing, it's to stay well clear of anybody who uses language like that. :wtf:

[Taitertots]

4. Name one person who has ever said that without using google

How should I describe what we are working for? Our just cause. Our honorable cause.

[LeftyMom]

6. How about dropping the overwrought hyperbole?

That's part of what gets the wingers so wound up- they start using their usual hysterical language (they think everything's the end of the world because that's how the right and their pastors control them) and instead of telling them to calm the fuck down, people on the left shriek back and that serves to confirm in their minds that they were perfectly justified in freaking out.

Stopping the Nazis was a just cause. Ending the death penalty is an honorable cause. This is a pep talk. It's a pep talk from the President, but it's still a pep talk, which means the kids who need it most will probably pay the least attention, because that's just how kids are.

Nobody's going to drop out, start shooting heroin in the webs of their toes and die in a gutter if they have to wait until after school to listen. Get a grip and try to focus on real issues.

[Taitertots]

7. Talk about hyperbole

You can't even name one person that has ever used that phrase.

A righteous cause:Getting children to stay in school, get good grades, and become functional members of society.

[LeftyMom]

8. Your reading comprehension sucks.

I never said that that specific phrase was a problem, I said that anybody who routinely uses phrasing like that should be avoided.

And if you need examples of that sort of overdone phrasing to indicate why it's problematic and should arouse suspicion in the listener or reader, please review the past 30 years of American history, focusing on Presidential rhetoric.

[Taitertots]

9. Everyone you agree with has said the exact same thing

At least the ones that got elected did.

What should I call it our mediocre misadventure?

[uncstudent]

2. ...

I feel a pizza party would take away from the message. Students should take time and reflect on what the president says. I like the idea of having fun afterwards but it should be more reflective on the speech.

[Riley18]

3. I'm thinking of incorporating some of his points into the students' journal writing.

They can write about how they will make the world a better place. What sort of job do they want? They can research jobs and se what education is required. These are universal ideas that many students never think about. I hope that from this speech more children will realize that education equals opportunity.

[Taitertots]

5. I almost fell asleep just reading that

That just means Obama is making more work for them. They need something fun so they are not turned off by it.

I know when I was in school if someone told me I had to write a paper because of Obama I would be less than enthusiastic about Obama and whatever he said.

[uncstudent]

10. I have to disagree

By letting the students write, they can draw connections to the speech and their education. I wouldn't consider extra work becuase students already have to do journal writing. A journal is not necessarily a paper, the journal will help students collect their thoughts and reflect on what they have listened to.

[Riley18]

11. You missed the point.

I never said I was telling them they were going to write it because of Obama. I will have them write it for themselves. They are too young to really make the connection that it was "Obama's fault" that they have the assignment. The important point is that the kids recognize they have to work hard to reach their potential.

[uncstudent]

12. I agree

with you 100%. It is a time for the children to reflect on what they want to strive for.

[LWolf]

13. That would have been a pizza party before school.

We've had a smooth, positive, beginning. My students haven't seen the speech yet. We're busy with the many other responsibilities we have the first week of school. We may see it soon; it depends. The speech was good, but...

My students have already heard the same message from the principal, the counselor, and teachers this week. To be honest, they take what the people they know say more seriously than the people they don't; and that includes the President. The President is, to them, someone to like or hate, but is not a trusted mentor, or an authority figure, in their lives.

They've gotten and understood the message already. It doesn't hurt to reinforce that message, but it's not exactly earth-shaking, ground-breaking, or more influential than the words of those closer to them.

It's the same message given at the beginning of the year, every year, in most schools across America.

I may bring it in at some point. Or not. Perhaps when we need to review and refresh the message.

For those on the east coast, who already got to meet and greet their students and fulfill some of the important first day duties, a pizza/speech party was a good idea.

[pfloydguy7750]

14. great idea