KAREY SHANE

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance Speech

Do you know who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, or the words to it? In honor of Columbus Day, let's listen to how a comedian you've probably never heard of, Red Skelton, recited the Pledge of Allegiance way back in 1969. He says a few things that might cause you to ask yourself, "How could he have known?" Please leave a comment below letting me know why this video is important to you.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE,
written by Francis Bellamy, 1892

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

When I was a French teacher at Carden Memorial, my home-room students and I recited it every morning at Carden Memorial School, along with all the other classes. We raised the American flag every morning outside the school. Take pride in your country, it's people, and what you stand for. Memorize the Pledge of Allegiance!

How Apolo Ohno Trains

If you want to get where you're going in life, watch how Apolo Ohno trains, and what led him to bring home eight medals from the Vancouver Olympics. It all starts with what he calls the most important part: preparation. As you watch this video, reflect on Pindar's challenge to, "Become what you are," and what it means for you. What is it that you're passionate about? How can you put the same kind of focus and commitment into whatever that something is? Grow into yourself. Learn from the greats.

Thank You Deborah Kenny

Thanks to a link I discovered on Rochelle McConkie's Facebook page, I've been following the ripple effect that Deborah Kenny started in education through her Harlem Village Academies. What she has done to raise the bar for teachers is revolutionary. Her approach focuses first on raising expectations for teachers! 

We Are the World: New version / Original version

After spending a 12+ hour day getting the Secret Speakers files ready to submit to the printer on Monday, it was, sigh, wonderful to turn on the TV and catch the entire We Are the World 25 video playing on CNN, thanks to Don Lemon. It's been a lonnng day, and this left me with such a good feeling. Of course, the message goes far beyond just making us feel good...we can all be someone's hero and make a difference. I've spent the last hour watching the old version, looking up why Taylor Swift wasn't in the new one, (which might have to do with cupcakes in Fundon?) and I'm about to post the old and new versions and the lyrics below (from the original version).

There comes a time when we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one.
There are people dying and it's time to lend a hand
To life - the greatest gift of all.

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change.
We are all a part of God's great big family

And the truth
You know
Love is all we need.

We are the world
We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving.
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives.
It's true
We'll make a better day
Just you and me.

Well
Send them your heart

So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free.
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread

And so we all must lend a helping hand.
We are the world

We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me...

The Girl Effect

I love, love, love this video. It's amazing!

More info is available from GirlEffect.com but I've included it for you here so the downloads are just one click away. The first one is two pages. The second one is one you'd want to read during a slow breakfast, perhaps. I printed them both out to put in a binder so I can make notes.

Download TheGirlEffect_FactSheet

Download Girl_Effect_Your_Move