Tuesday, January 20, 2015

State of the Union Address Worksheet - Watch at 7pm tonight on any major network!




“He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”
Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution



1.     What is the purpose of the State of the Union Address?  




Before the speech begins, many important people enter the House Chamber of Congress.  Notice that members of the three branches of government are all present in the same room.  This rarely happens throughout the year. 
Legislative BranchWrites and votes for laws -- House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
Executive Branch  Provides the leadership for the country; can suggest laws, but cannot write them --  The President, Vice President, and his/her advisors (the cabinet – Secretary of State,  Secretary of Defense, etc.)
Judicial BranchChecks to make sure the laws fit what the Constitution says – the Supreme Court Justices and many lower level judges


2.    Notice:  Who is sitting behind the President of the United States during the speech? Write their names and their titles (jobs).
Behind on the left: ____________                 Behind on the right: ______________
____________________________          ________________________________


3.     Where is the president’s spouse (husband or wife) sitting?  Why?






4.    Circle any of the topics you hear the President discuss:  (because you are not required to listen to the entire speech, just circle what you heard.)
unemployment     the economy    healthcare    education     debt/deficit  
terrorism      climate change          immigration          homeland security          taxes          
veterans         women’s rights          children        other:_____________________


5.    What was most interesting to you about the State of the Union Address?  (You may discuss the speech, or any other parts of what happened, from the time people were announced and entered the room to when the President left the room.)


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