Teachable Moment: Raising the Rhetoric

JFK 1961

Eloquence. Higher level thinking. Rational open discussion. American rhetoric--let's remind ourselves of the brilliant heights of thought our fellow citizens have given us. These profound thoughts were articulated to we the people, the common folk, the general populace. Dare I say, the 'undereducated,' as well as the 'intelligensia.' We the people listened, considered, and thought about these ideas.

American Rhetoric's Top 100 Speeches of the 20th Centuryhttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html 

highlights a diversity of speakers. Brilliant passion, complicated sentence structure, even three or four syllable words! As a student growing up in the 1960s, I was exposed to tremendous higher level thinking, free discussion, complicated language. Let's refuse to be dumbed down! We have access to fantastic thought and passion. The website has hundreds and hundreds of speeches.

Are you prepared to let students browse through this amazing collection of ideas? Here are some interesting choices-- hopefully a fair and diverse group. (And don't forget Abraham Lincoln, FDR, Adlai Stevenson, and even Richard Nixon.) 

 Ronald Reagan Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate

 http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganbrandenburggate.htm



Theodore Roosevelt The Man with the Muck-rake  1908

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/teddyrooseveltmuckrake.htm

Elie Wiesel The Perils of Indifference
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ewieselperilsofindifference.html 

Barbara Pierce Bush Commencement Address at Wellesley College

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarabushwellesleycommencement.htm 

Hillary Rodham Clinton 

Remarks to the U.N. 4th World Conference on Women Plenary Session

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hillaryclintonbeijingspeech.htm 

 And two of my favorites:

John F. Kennedy

Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Program

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkriceuniversity.htm 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Have a Dream

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm 

Cannot hear this speech too often.

Speeches of MLK: I Have A Dream

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Have a Dream

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm 

Teachable Moment: Raising the Rhetoric

JFK 1961

Eloquence. Higher level thinking. Rational open discussion. American rhetoric--let's remind ourselves of the brilliant heights of thought our fellow citizens have given us. These profound thoughts were articulated to we the people, the common folk, the general populace. Dare I say, the 'undereducated,' as well as the 'intelligensia.' We the people listened, considered, and thought about these ideas.

American Rhetoric's Top 100 Speeches of the 20th Century http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html highlights a diversity of speakers. Brilliant passion, complicated sentence structure, even three or four syllable words! As a student growing up in the 1960s, I was exposed to tremendous higher level thinking, free discussion, complicated language. Let's refuse to be dumbed down! We have access to fantastic thought and passion. The website has hundreds and hundreds of speeches.

Are you prepared to let students browse through this amazing collection of ideas? Here are some interesting choices-- hopefully a fair and diverse group. (And don't forget Abraham Lincoln, FDR, Adlai Stevenson, and even Richard Nixon.)

 Ronald Reagan Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate

 http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganbrandenburggate.htm




Theodore Roosevelt The Man with the Muck-rake  1908

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/teddyrooseveltmuckrake.htm

Elie Wiesel The Perils of Indifference
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ewieselperilsofindifference.html 

Barbara Pierce Bush Commencement Address at Wellesley College

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarabushwellesleycommencement.htm 

Hillary Rodham Clinton 

Remarks to the U.N. 4th World Conference on Women Plenary Session

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hillaryclintonbeijingspeech.htm 

 And two of my favorites:

John F. Kennedy

Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Program

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkriceuniversity.htm 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Have a Dream

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm 

Cannot hear this speech too often.

Teachable Moment: Raising the Rhetoric

JFK 1961

Eloquence. Higher level thinking. Rational open discussion. American rhetoric--let's remind ourselves of the brilliant heights of thought our fellow citizens have given us. These profound thoughts were articulated to we the people, the common folk, the general populace. Dare I say, the 'undereducated,' as well as the 'intelligensia.' We the people listened, considered, and thought about these ideas.

American Rhetoric's Top 100 Speeches of the 20th Century http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html highlights a diversity of speakers. Brilliant passion, complicated sentence structure, even three or four syllable words! As a student growing up in the 1960s, I was exposed to tremendous higher level thinking, free discussion, complicated language. Let's refuse to be dumbed down! We have access to fantastic thought and passion. The website has hundreds and hundreds of speeches.

Are you prepared to let students browse through this amazing collection of ideas? Here are some interesting choices-- hopefully a fair and diverse group. (And don't forget Abraham Lincoln, FDR, Adlai Stevenson, and even Richard Nixon.)

 Ronald Reagan Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate

 http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganbrandenburggate.htm




Theodore Roosevelt The Man with the Muck-rake  1908

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/teddyrooseveltmuckrake.htm

Elie Wiesel The Perils of Indifference
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ewieselperilsofindifference.html 

Barbara Pierce Bush Commencement Address at Wellesley College

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarabushwellesleycommencement.htm 

Hillary Rodham Clinton 

Remarks to the U.N. 4th World Conference on Women Plenary Session

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hillaryclintonbeijingspeech.htm 

 And two of my favorites:

John F. Kennedy

Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Program

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkriceuniversity.htm 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Have a Dream

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm 

Cannot hear this speech too often.

Speeches of MLK #1

I've Been to the Mountaintop, Martin Luther King

Delivered the day before his assassination.

"And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be."

I've Been to the Mountaintop

delivered 3 April 1968, Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters), Memphis, Tennessee

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/

 

Speeches of MLK #1

I've Been to the Mountaintop, Martin Luther King

Delivered the day before his assassination.

"And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be."

I've Been to the Mountaintop

delivered 3 April 1968, Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters), Memphis, Tennessee

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/

 

Teachable Moment: Speeches of Abraham Lincoln

American Rhetoric http://www.americanrhetoric.com/ offers an amazing list of Abraham Lincoln's speeches performed by actors and  a vast resource of other rhetoric from original speakers. Check it out! There's nothing like the spoken word.

Speeches of MLK #1

I've Been to the Mountaintop, Martin Luther King

Delivered the day before his assassination.

"And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be."

I've Been to the Mountaintop

delivered 3 April 1968, Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters), Memphis, Tennessee

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/

 

I Double Dog Dare You: Listen to All of These! 100 Top American Speeches

Martin Luther King, Jr.

American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/newtop100speeches.htm 

Of course, MLK is #1.

Black History Month: Speeches of MLK #1

I've Been to the Mountaintop, Martin Luther King

Delivered the day before his assassination.

"And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be."

I've Been to the Mountaintop

delivered 3 April 1968, Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters), Memphis, Tennessee

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/

 

Teachable Moment: Learning About Lincoln

Spielberg's 'Lincoln' is a great resource to feel as well as understand Lincoln.

It is always an important moment to learn about Abraham Lincoln. But Steven Spielberg has brought him to current prominence in a huge manner, much like Ken Burns did in the 90's with 'The Civil War' documentary.

These are incontrovertible facts about Lincoln: he was born into extreme poverty in Kentucky during the formative years of the US; he was a pioneer boy, self taught--reading, too-- in Indiana.  He lost his mother at an early age, and revered her input into his life. He was highly intelligent and motivated, becoming a successful pioneer lawyer in the early days of Illinois. He could read people. He had a conscience based on his morality. He was courageous. Did he have flaws? Of course. He retained a bias against Native Americans but continued to be willing to risk everything due to his belief that all men are created equal.

What a time to be a hero! An American period raw with passion, polarization, and violence. Kind of sounds like now.

Here are links that will help teachers put together pertinent information on Lincoln.

Movie Review: Lincoln 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/12/movie-review-lincoln.html?spref=tw 

I love American Rhetoric. Of course, there is not a recording of his voice, but you can find excellent actors reading his eternal speeches. Then you could compare them to Daniel Day-Lewis' interpretation. And you know I'll be reminding you to listen to FDR's 'Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself' speech on Dec. 7.

1.  American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States
www.americanrhetoric.com/
I'm thinking you can find these in the library, but don't tell Amazon.com I said so,

2. THE 10 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN

http://www.amazon.com/BEST-CHILDRENS-BOOKS-ABRAHAM-LINCOLN/lm/RDGZFLW2A0MKB 

 

Doris Kearns Goodwin is the author of Team of Rivals, the basis of Spielburg's film and Barrack Obama's cabinet (he says the book inspired him.) Henry Louis Gates is a highly respected author and filmmaker who recently has specialized in helping folks find their genetic roots and family history and making documentaries, such as African American Lives. I can't imagine a better team for this assignment. Check it out.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/

Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his Lincoln books. It is great history with a poetic flair every so often.

 Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years: Carl ...

For the upper grades:

Abraham Lincoln

http://ushistorysite.com/lincoln.php 

Thank you, Poetry Foundation, again, for having such wonders convenient and waiting.

Walt Whitman

Here are only two poems about Lincoln, both by Walt Whitman.

O Captain! My Captain!

By Walt Whitman
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174742 

When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d

By Walt Whitman
 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174748 

Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln freed all Americans, including those in the future. A free and appropriate education for all, including the handicapped. Voting rights, even for women. Equal pay for equal work. Freedom to be who you are, and the right to say it.

The Civil Rights Movement is still moving because of Lincoln; let's keep in step. 

Teachable Moment: Learning About Lincoln

Spielberg's 'Lincoln' is a great resource to feel as well as understand Lincoln.

It is always an important moment to learn about Abraham Lincoln. But Steven Spielberg has brought him to current prominence in a huge manner, much like Ken Burns did in the 90's with 'The Civil War' documentary.

These are incontrovertible facts about Lincoln: he was born into extreme poverty in Kentucky during the formative years of the US; he was a pioneer boy, self taught--reading, too-- in Indiana.  He lost his mother at an early age, and revered her input into his life. He was highly intelligent and motivated, becoming a successful pioneer lawyer in the early days of Illinois. He could read people. He had a conscience based on his morality. He was courageous. Did he have flaws? Of course. He retained a bias against Native Americans but continued to be willing to risk everything due to his belief that all men are created equal.

What a time to be a hero! An American period raw with passion, polarization, and violence. Kind of sounds like now.

Here are links that will help teachers put together pertinent information on Lincoln.

Movie Review: Lincoln 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/12/movie-review-lincoln.html?spref=tw 

I love American Rhetoric. Of course, there is not a recording of his voice, but you can find excellent actors reading his eternal speeches. Then you could compare them to Daniel Day-Lewis' interpretation. And you know I'll be reminding you to listen to FDR's 'Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself' speech on Dec. 7.

1.  American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States
www.americanrhetoric.com/
I'm thinking you can find these in the library, but don't tell Amazon.com I said so,

2. THE 10 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN

http://www.amazon.com/BEST-CHILDRENS-BOOKS-ABRAHAM-LINCOLN/lm/RDGZFLW2A0MKB 

 

Doris Kearns Goodwin is the author of Team of Rivals, the basis of Spielburg's film and Barrack Obama's cabinet (he says the book inspired him.) Henry Louis Gates is a highly respected author and filmmaker who recently has specialized in helping folks find their genetic roots and family history and making documentaries, such as African American Lives. I can't imagine a better team for this assignment. Check it out.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/

Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his Lincoln books. It is great history with a poetic flair every so often.

 Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years: Carl ...

For the upper grades:

Abraham Lincoln

http://ushistorysite.com/lincoln.php 

Thank you, Poetry Foundation, again, for having such wonders convenient and waiting.

Walt Whitman

Here are only two poems about Lincoln, both by Walt Whitman.

O Captain! My Captain!

By Walt Whitman
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174742 

When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d

By Walt Whitman
 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174748 

Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln freed all Americans, including those in the future. A free and appropriate education for all, including the handicapped. Voting rights, even for women. Equal pay for equal work. Freedom to be who you are, and the right to say it.

The Civil Rights Movement is still moving because of Lincoln; let's keep in step. 

 

 

 

Teachable Moment: Learning About Lincoln

Spielberg's 'Lincoln' coming out November 16, 2012.

It is always an important moment to learn about Abraham Lincoln. But Steven Spielberg has brought him to current prominence in a huge manner, much like Ken Burns did in the 90's with 'The Civil War' documentary.

These are incontrovertible facts about Lincoln: he was born into extreme poverty in Kentucky during the formative years of the US; he was a pioneer boy, self taught--reading, too-- in Indiana.  He lost his mother at an early age, and revered her input into his life. He was highly intelligent and motivated, becoming a successful pioneer lawyer in the early days of Illinois. He could read people. He had a conscience based on his morality. He was courageous. Did he have flaws? Of course. He retained a bias against Native Americans but continued to be willing to risk everything due to his belief that all men are created equal. 

What a time to be a hero! An American period raw with passion, polarization, and violence. Kind of sounds like now.

Here are links that will help teachers put together pertinent information on Lincoln.

I love American Rhetoric. Of course, there is not a recording of his voice, but you can find excellent actors reading his eternal speeches. Then you could compare them to Daniel Day-Lewis' interpretation. And you know I'll be reminding you to listen to FDR's 'Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself' speech on Dec. 7.

1.  American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States
www.americanrhetoric.com/
I'm thinking you can find these in the library, but don't tell Amazon.com I said so,

2. THE 10 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN

http://www.amazon.com/BEST-CHILDRENS-BOOKS-ABRAHAM-LINCOLN/lm/RDGZFLW2A0MKB 

 

Doris Kearns Goodwin is the author of Team of Rivals, the basis of Spielburg's film and Barrack Obama's cabinet (he says the book inspired him.) Henry Louis Gates is a highly respected author and filmmaker who recently has specialized in helping folks find their genetic roots and family history and making documentaries, such as African American Lives. I can't imagine a better team for this assignment. Check it out.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/

Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his Lincoln books. It is great history with a poetic flair every so often.

 Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years: Carl ...

For the upper grades:

Abraham Lincoln

http://ushistorysite.com/lincoln.php 

Thank you, Poetry Foundation, again, for having such wonders convenient and waiting.

Walt Whitman

Here are only two poems about Lincoln, both by Walt Whitman.

O Captain! My Captain!

By Walt Whitman
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174742 

When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d

By Walt Whitman
 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174748 

Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln freed all Americans, including those in the future. A free and appropriate education for all, including the handicapped. Voting rights, even for women. Equal pay for equal work. Freedom to be who you are, and the right to say it.

The Civil Rights Movement is still moving because of Lincoln; let's keep in step.