Examine State of the Union addresses

 

Overview: What will be among President Bush's top priorities during the State of the Union address? Discuss the role of Congress in the budgetary process and why it is important for the president to have the support of Congress. Direct students to analyze past State of the Union addresses and examine how they reflected the political, social and economic events of the times in which they were delivered.

Curriculum Connections: Government, Civics, Current Events

ON TV For a video version of this story, please use the CNN Student News' January 29 broadcast on CNN TV (4:30 a.m. ET). Click here  for more information on the show.

1. What two issues will be among President Bush's top priorities during his State of the Union address? For how much money is Mr. Bush expected to ask Congress? Do you think the substantial increase is appropriate at this time? Why or why not? What other presidential priorities are identified in the story? Why do you think the war against terrorism increased Mr. Bush's approval ratings to high levels? Why do you think voters see the economy as a top priority? Explain.

2. Refer students to the first related Web site below to review the nature of a State of the Union address and summarize its contents. Then, have students research the role of Congress in the budgetary process. Ask: What is the correlation between a State of the Union address and a president's legislative agenda? Why is it important for a president to have the support of Congress? Discuss.

3. Have students explore multimedia resources, including the links below, to identify past State of the Union addresses. Instruct each student to select a State of the Union address and examine how the speech reflected the political, social and economic events of the times in which it was delivered. Have each student assume the role of a political analyst of the time, and present his/her findings in the form of a brief radio/TV address.

Extension
Have students watch the State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 29, 2002, and identify Mr. Bush's priorities. Have students examine their findings by asking the following questions: What areas does Mr. Bush emphasize? What areas have been omitted from his list of priorities? Which of the priorities identified by Mr. Bush impact your lives? Discuss.