january 20

In preparing for this morning, I realized a few things (this is learning!):

• Since we're meeting at 8:30 am each day, I will make sure the daily post is published by 8:00, not 10:00 as previously mentioned. If anyone feels strongly about the agenda being published the day before, so you can get a head start on the journal or just have a preview of coming attractions, please let me know and I'll consider putting it up farther in advance.
• Today, history is being made, and it's important enough that I think we should bear witness. So I'm going to stream the inauguration ceremony, and we'll see how the time goes.  This gives us what educators like to call a "teachable moment" - have a look at the journal topic and next steps below. The event will certainly give us ideas to discuss in our individual meetings over the next couple days!

For our MOM: The last few years, and especially the last few months, have been turbulent and troubling. As you take a moment to breathe, try to find any part of you that feels troubled - and then see how still, and calm, and untroubled you can become.

JOURNAL: (today's tune: "Hail to the Chief" by James Sanderson)

Today's tune was adapted in 1812 and has become the personal anthem of the President of the United States. Today, in Washington, D.C., the United States inaugurates its 46th President and Vice President. What does this symbolize to you? What is significant about this for you and for your family? What do you think it says about our nation, that we can endure difficult times together and then vote for change - and elect a woman of color to the second-highest position in the country?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:

1. We will watch the inauguration and discuss as time allows.

PLEASE:

Take some notes in your journal about the inauguration. What did you observe? What did you think and feel as you watched and listened? Most importantly, what do you think is important to know in order to really understand this event? Politics? Psychology? What else?