January 17, 2017

THE BASICS

Topic: Inauguration 2017

in·au·gu·ra·tion noun

the beginning or introduction of a system, policy, or period.

the formal admission of someone to office.

a ceremony to mark the beginning of something.

Articles

· “Nation’s Capital Preps For Both Presidential Supporters and Protesters” (1/13) (NPR)

· “Your guide to inauguration demonstrations, marches and protests” (1/13) (The Washington Post)

· “Your guide to Inauguration Day 2017” (1/9) (The Randolph County Herald Tribune)

· “To celebrate inaugural or not? Trump critics are divided” (1/7) (Los Angeles Daily News)

· “What we know so far about Trump’s inauguration” (1/6) (The Washington Post)

· “Here’s a look at what goes into protecting the president on Inauguration Day” (12/26/16) (Fox 45 News - Baltimore)

Questions to Consider

· What does inauguration mean?

· Why are beginnings important?

· How do the inaugurations of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Oregon Governor Kate Brown contrast with the inauguration of the President? What are the similarities?

· What might be the challenges of a new undertaking such as a term of office?

· What formalities accompany a Presidential Inauguration?

· Who are the invitees to a Presidential inauguration?

· Is it important for an inauguration to be publicly celebrated? Why or why not?

· What is the message of the inauguration protesters?

· What is the meaning of the Presidential Inauguration oath in 2017? What does it mean to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution?

· What are the arguments which support attending this inauguration despite political affiliation? What are the arguments for ignoring this inauguration? Is there precedent for refusing to be part of the inauguration?

· What preparations are necessary to make the Inauguration meaningful and safe?

· How is the inauguration symbolic of the continuity of our democracy?

· What connections might you make between the Inauguration and the celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King? (http://lilysblackboard.org/2017/01/dr-king-inauguration-day-democracy/)

· Which historical inauguration is most meaningful to you? http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/behind-inaugural-speeches-meaningful-words-43415442/

· How do you envision the inaugurations of the future? What technology might be used?

THE EXTRAS

Pre-teaching, Extensions & Further Reading

· “YouTube’s Live-Stream Will Put You in the Middle of Inauguration Day Festivities” (1/13) (Digital Trends)

· “The Day’s Events” (Senate.gov)

· “Inaugural History” (CBS News)

· “The Oath of Office” (American History)

· “Behind Inaugural Speeches, Meaningful Words” (1/5/09) (Smithsonian Magazine)

· “Dr. King, Inauguration Day and Our Democracy” (1/13) (Lily’s Blackboard)

· “The Inauguration” (video) (History.com)

Lesson Plans

· “The Second Inaugural Address (1865) – Restoring the American Union” (EDSITEment!)

· “Ask not what your country can do for you…” (JFK Library)

What’s the Connection?

Constitutional

· “The Constitution and the Inauguration of the President” (Exploring Constitutional Law)

· “Oath of Office of the President of the United States” (Wikipedia)

Oregon

· “Here are all the lawmakers skipping Trump’s inauguration” (1/14) (Business Insider)

· “Wheeler takes oath of office in private” (12/30/16) (Portland Tribune)

Students

· “Presidential Inauguration 2017” (CloseUp)

Oregon State Social Science Standards

8.26. Examine a controversial event, issue, or problem from more than one perspective.

HS.33. Explain the role of government in various current events.

HS.59. Demonstrate the skills and dispositions needed to be a critical consumer of information.

HS.60. Analyze an event, issue, problem, or phenomenon from varied or opposing perspectives or points of view.

CCSS Anchor Standards

2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.

7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

8. Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

We the People Lesson Connections

Middle School, Level 2

· Unit 6, Lesson 30: How might citizens participate in civic affairs?

High School, Level 3

· Unit 6, Lesson 34: What is the importance of civic engagement to American constitutional democracy?