After completing our chapter on the writing of the Constitution, the inauguration this week offered a perfect opportunity to discuss government together.  On Thursday and Friday, we enjoyed a broadcast of the inauguration made especially for children, which included side trips to the Library of Congress to view primary documents showing the Presidential oath and the draft of Lincoln’s inaugural speech.  We only had time to watch bits and pieces, so the link is here if anyone wants to watch more.  We especially enjoyed the music, the National Mall of flags, identifying the branch of government of each speaker, White House pet trivia, and the poetry recitation by the Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.

Our White House:  An Inaugural Celebration for Young Americans

We loved viewing a 1789 copy of the Constitution signed by George Washington.  Here is that 1:34 excerpt separated from the big program.  Two hundred thirty-two years later, we heard these words again.

Library of Congress Presidential Oath of Office

We noted the great speaking techniques of Amanda Gorman, as we are beginning to memorize a poem for public speaking.  We found some interesting parallels between her poem and the speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that we listened to pieces of on Monday.

“The Hills We Climb” by Amanda Gorman

We also got a bit of a chuckle over the way our Vermont United States Senator Bernie Sanders has been a big news item this week with his chair memes from the inauguration, featuring his warm New England coat and fuzzy, homemade Vermont mittens.

Even Pastor Huebner got in on the fun, with the Huebner’s pet house rooster joining in too.

. . . . And Pastor Goeppner at Riverbank has a new keyboard player!