I am sitting here at my computer today thinking about the historical event that will take place on Monday, January, 20, 2009. With the inauguration of Barack Obama, just five days away, I can’t help but wonder what Abraham Lincoln’s take on today’s world would be?
Mr. Obama will use the same Bible President Lincoln used for his swearing in as the 16th President of the United States. I wonder what will be going through Mr. Obama’s mind at that moment.
If I’m having thoughts along these lines, shouldn’t our students be exploring the importance of this event and one of the greatest Presidents that has ever passed through our history?
Here are some sites to help you jump start your classes:
Lincoln Bicentennial – 1809/2009
The Mask of Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln Yellow Pages
Lincoln Bicentennial Tearcher Resources
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www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2008/04/01/wbOBAMA
Martin Luther King Jr. weekend holiday will end with an exceptional event this year. The following Monday, forty years after Dr. King’s death, the first black president of the United States will be inaugurated.
“President-elect Obama hopes to summon a new spirit of service and calls on Americans to make a more enduring and active commitment to our communities throughout the year because it is a critical time for America to come together to tackle the common challenges we face,” said inaugural spokeswoman Shannon Gilson.
With these thoughts in mind, the following links are offered to help in your lesson planning to enlighten our students of our past history and the hopes for the future.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Born in 1929
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
Exploring the Power of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Words through Diamante Poetry
Ordinary People, Ordinary Places: The Civil Rights Movement
Hail to the Chief: Inauguration Lessons
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I recently heard Jeff Goldsmith speak at a conference, and a comment he made about social networking instilled a glimpse of our students’ futures into my mind. He was speaking on the future of the health industry, and he discussed how modern information technology will alter the role of the major actors in healthcare: consumers, health plans, hospitals, physicians and pharmaceutical firms.
As I listened, I thought about how our students’ views of technology are so very different from the people of my generation. Today’s students are constantly on the Internet, social networking, and using all the technology tools of the 21st Century. So what is the role of today’s educators?
Following on the heels of Jeff’s presentation, I attended the Educational Technology Leadership Conference , and listened to two keynote speakers Idit Harel Caperton and James Paul Gee expound on the topic of students and learning in the 21st Century. Basically, what I gathered from the speakers and the mini sessions that I attended during the three days of the ETCL was that we as educator are responsible to see that our students have the skills for a “new age”.
What students must Learn to succeed in the 21st Century global setting is how to access, evaluate, and use different forms of information. They must exercise critical thinking skills and exhibit fluency with tech tools, and they have to be Creative in their use of various forms of media when they present ideas. Problem-solving skills and a display of originality are also a must. Last, but not least, students need to Collaborate. It is essential that they demonstrate cross-culture awareness, work successfully as a team, and communicate complex ideas effectively.
This is a tall order for our students, but it is even more demanding for educators. Are we prepared to meet this challenge? What will state educational funding cuts do to the future of Virginia’s 21st Century citizens?
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