Inauguration

In 2012, we learned about candidates and issues, watched political conventions and debates, and cast votes for President. Now it’s time for the Inauguration!

GenerationNation provides a variety of hands-on activities to help students learn while watching, reading about, analyzing and discussing the Inauguration – all in a non-political, non-partisan way.

VIEW ACTIVITIES HERE

The President is sworn into office at 12:00 Noon on January 20th. This date and time is determined by the United States Constitution Amendment XX, which outlines the terms of presidential office. In 2013, the 20th is on a Sunday. So, the public festivities – Inauguration Day - will take place on Monday, January 21st.
On Inauguration Day, several events celebrate the peaceful transfer of power between Presidents and when Presidents begin their second terms.

ACTIVITIES

Download Inauguration Day K-12 activities
> All activities with handouts
> Read/analyze Oath of Office
> Write your own Inauguration Address
> Inauguration Analysis
> Write the Headline
> Getting the Message Across
> My Wish for America/My Community
> MLK Day
> Citizen Journalists

Correlations to Common Core/SS
> Elementary K-2 | 3-5
> Middle
> High

MLK: Do you have a dream, too?

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) worked to advance civil rights in the United States and around the world. A minister, King became a civil rights activist at an early age. At the 1963 March on Washington, King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, where he outlined his vision, or dream, for our country. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial inequality.

That was MLK's dream. What's yours? Here's an easy and meaningful activity for school or home - a great opportunity for students to envision their “dreams”, think about what makes their dreams a reality, and share this information with others. And, since the Inauguration will be held on MLK Day in 2013, it is a terrific opportunity to celebrate while thinking about government, leadership and problem-solving.


Activities
Download I Have a Dream Activity
(includes text of speech)
My Wish for America/My Community
Talking with Officials
Be a Citizen Journalist
Inauguration 2013

Correlations
  Elementary K-2 | 3-5
  Middle
  High

MLK on the Web
  MLK on Wikipedia
  Nobel Prize biography
  MLK Center
  MLK Documents and Research at Stanford University
  I Have a Dream Speech (Audio)
  I Have a Dream Speech (Video)