Homework Tonight

A few days ago we shared a news article in which the author had written about the practice of saying the pledge in schools. While discussing it many of the kids began talking about the fact they don't know what the pledge means. So today we read through it together, looked up the meanings of some of the confusing words, and offered our interpretations of what the whole thing means.

Roughly, we came up with the idea that it's a: (1) promise of allegiance (connectedness) to the country, (2) statement that we believe in God and understand that he takes care of us, (3) statement that we won't be divided again as we were during the Civil War, and 4) statement that there is liberty (freedom) and justice (fairness/rightfulness) for everyone. Along the way a few of the kids suggested there might be some people who would disagree with parts of this.

We heard a news article today about a 15 year old boy who was suspended from school for two days for not standing and saying the pledge because he didn't agree with something the government had done (spying). Some people in his community thought his suspension was wrong. Others thought it was right. We thought about what the president, a soldier, someone from a non-Christian religion, and you (parents) would have to say about this. The kids shared their ideas in small groups and then reported out to the whole group.

Tonight they're bringing home these sheets to share with you. They are supposed to show you what they did in class, what they thought you might say about whether or not kids should be required to say the pledge at school, and then ask you your actual thoughts and feelings. We'll use these tomorrow to wrap up the discussion of multiple perspectives around the pledge.

Thanks,
Chris