I wish you all could have peeked into our classroom this morning when we stood at 8:00 to listen to our morning prayer read over the intercom and say the Pledge of Allegiance and PSM's mission statement. The fourth graders were energized, patriotic, and radiant after last night's presidential election. With feeling and loud, confident voices, these kids enthusiastically said the pledge and mission statement with more feeling and emotion than I have ever heard a group of people display as they recite the familiar words. They truly owned the words they spoke this morning, as they proclaimed that they are "not frightened by the challenges of reality," that their "talent, discipline, and integrity will be their contribution to a NEW world," and that they give their loyalty to a country that is "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The experience of praying with my students this morning, and then reciting the pledge and mission statement together, is one of the most special moments of my teaching career so far.
I gave my students the opportunity to record their thoughts and feelings about this historic election this morning. We talked about being primary sources for future historians, and how their experiences and feelings NOW will be very special for them to look back on and remember years from now. They all began with the same words and then filled in their own thoughts, and the writing they produced was very honest, thoughtful, and profound. With their permission, I have chosen a few of these pieces of writing to share with all of you. I hope you enjoy reading our students' own words about what this election has meant to them!
Jadelyn: "Today is November 5, 2008. I am 8 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel proud because he is the 1st black president! He will do great things. He got kids excited about learning and voting. He is the best president."
Nakeya: "Today is November 5, 2008. I am 9 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel so happy, because I believe that Obama will make a change. There are some people that don't agree with Obama, but I want to say, "People who do not believe in Obama, believe that the world will be a better place and believe that your life will be better, because I believe in Obama and I believe that you can too. But if you still don't believe in him, I will pray for you."
Kameron: OBAMA IS OUR PRESIDENT! Today is November 5, I am 9 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel great because the 44th president is black. It seems he's going to be a great president. God made the best man win and I agree. Hopeful[ly]he will be the best we have. God please make Sen. OBAMA be safe and his family. OBAMA please help the people in Africa. Everyone voted for you and please don't let us down! Please make the police stay on task. OBAMA, we [chose] you for a reason.
David: Today is November 5, 2008. I'm 10 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the USA. I feel excited about hav[ing] the first black president. He has made good changes to our country. We could have had our first woman. I'll someday become president, too.
Serenity: Today is November 5, 2008. I am 9 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel very excited because this is the first time we have had a black president. My other thoughts are that you will help the United States and become the GREATEST PRESIDENT. I have some questions. Will you change gas prices? My other question is, will you change tax prices? P.S. I wonder do you remember me because Sasha and Mali were in my ballet class. My mom also knew Michelle. Do you remember me and my mom?
Joshua: Today is November 5, 2008. I am 8 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel great about this. Barack Obama is African American like me. This historic day makes me feel like I can do anything. I never thought that a[n] African-American would run for president until now. I hope I become president in 2035.
Jerusalem: Today is November 5, 2008. I am 10 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel just in shock, in a good way. Ever since my dad got me into politics at 7 years old I thought every president would be white. On this same day God has proved probably every [person who thought that] wrong. My mom was so excited and so was my dad. If Obama serves two terms I'll be 18 at the end. I hope I can even look back on this at 79 years old.
Natalia: Today is November 5, 2008. I am 9 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel so happy about it because all the people who said we can't do it, we did it! It was so fun to stay up and go to Grant Park!
Imani: Today is November 5, 2008. I am 9 years old. Yesterday, our country elected Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States. I feel great because he is the first African American, person from Chicago, and black president in the history of [American] presidents. I feel so joyful because of yesterday. I'm just so happy because of today. Even though John McCain was a good candidate, Barack Obama won the election.
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5 comments:
I was shocked that Obama was the first black president.
Serinity I think it is so cool that you were in Sasha and Mali's ballet class.
I was so happy Obama became president. He made history in America.
I was so happy that Barack Obama became president because
1.He is the first black president.
2.He proved that you can do ANYTHING that you set your mind to and that NOTHING is immpossible.
My mom and I jumped when we heard that Obama was going to be president
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