WKSU News: Inner-city kids talk about what they want from an Obama presidency

Monday, November 10, 2008 Inner-city kids talk about what they want from an Obama presidency by WKSU's AMANDA RABINOWITZ	Reporter Amanda Rabinowitz

They won't be able to vote for nearly a decade, but some kids in Canton know their politics. Fifth and sixth graders at an inner-city Canton school closely followed the presidential election and believe in Barack Obama's message of change. They also have a few ideas of their own for the president-elect.

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Belden Elementary sixth graders Mikal Meadows and Travis Lucius supported Barack Obama.

Belden Elementary fifth graders Alonzia Perrin and Miyani Ash say they hope Barack Obama can deleiver the change he's promised.

Belden Elementary sixth graders work on completing their electoral U.S. map following the presidential election.

The students have been busy working on the states and gluing the pieces together on the map.

The map shows which candidate won each state and the electoral votes at stake.

Listener Comments:

Our environment shapes us. We all get our point of view from our families! Where did your point of view come from? I am not understanding your point Mr. Johnson. The point is that these students are actively engaged in the process of government!

Posted by: Anonymous on November 13, 2008 9:08PM

From: Carl Johnson [mailto:carljohnson@windstream.net]
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 6:31 PM
To: letters@wksu.org
Subject: NPR 6:00PM NEWS
Sirs; I fail to see the importance of the views of 4-6 graders on the past election ...... They are only mouthing the words and thoughts of their parents ...... Who Cares !!!!! Carl Johnson , Pennsylvania

Posted by: Anonymous on November 13, 2008 11:39AM

I am very proud to hear the positive comments made by students of Belden Elementary. It's so encouraging to see children so young able to voice their opinions about the presidency instead of being discriminated upon because they're not adults. It's a very positive motion...Great Job Students!!!!

Posted by: Selena (Canton) on November 12, 2008 6:58PM

I want to thank all the teachers,students and staff at belden for allowing a formate which allowed the students to express their views and opinions of something so complicated as an election. But what this realy shows all of us is that our children not only have the ability to read listen and learn but they have an interest and a stake as to what is going on in the world today.They are our future.Great job

Posted by: Travis Lucius (TX) on November 11, 2008 5:53PM

I am swelling with pride over the articulate responses of the students at Belden School! These students are engaged in a democratic curriculum! This constructivist approach to learning allows students to actively create knowledge in a socially relevant context! The teachers and students at Belden ROCK!

Posted by: Nicole Workman (Canton) on November 11, 2008 4:04PM

Thank you to the students and teacher at Belden School for a job well done!! This demonstrates that students in inner-city schools can learn and can perform and be engaged educationally just as well as students sub-urban schools. Way to go Guys!!

Posted by: Ernest Pratt (Plain Township) on November 10, 2008 7:52PM

What an awesome hands-on and interactive project.
Another brilliant example of the benefit of teaching beyond standardized tests. These students are thoughtful and mature in their views. I loved hearing their perspective of what's happening in our world. They are the leaders of tomorrow and I am proud to know them.

Posted by: Ms. Elisabeth (Canton) on November 10, 2008 7:47PM

This is an amazing story and a glimmer of hope for our future. Kudos to the teacher and the children. I was truly impressed with the way they spoke about their views. They were far more educated about the issues than many people who voted.

Posted by: Heidi (Akron) on November 10, 2008 12:33PM

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