STATE OF THE UNION BINGO GAME

Learning Targets: I can discuss the importance of the State of the Union Address.
I can explain the current events addressed in the State of the Union Address.
INTRODUCTION: View the following video on the history of the State of the Union address and respond to
the related questions.

Bell Ringer: State of the Union History (3:22)

Explain the origin of the State of the Union address.

How did Thomas Jefferson prefer to deliver his

message to Congress?

Which president returned to the tradition of

addressing a joint session of Congress in person?

According to Don Ritchie, why did Thomas Jefferson

prefer to deliver the address in this manner? How did
this impact presidents through the 19th and early
20th centuries?

Explain what Don Ritchie means when he says the

messages are "long laundry lists."

Explain how recent speeches are delivered to

Congress.
ACTIVITY: Complete the chart below by writing the accompanying words/phrases on current topics in each space. You
may also choose to write your own words/phrases that you anticipate the president will address in the State of the Union
speech. Use each word or phrase one time on the board.

Foreign Policy, Iran, Iraq, Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, China, NATO, United Nations, Economy, Jobs, Minimum Wage,
Health Care, Social Security, Immigration, Border Security, Infrastructure, Taxes, Inflation, Military, Budget, Election,
Education, Middle Class, Veterans, Afghanistan, Infrastructure, Transportation, Green Energy, Gun Violence, Crime,
Freedom, Religion, Defense, Entitlement, Crisis, Bipartisan, Debt, Revenue, Police Reform, Supreme Court, Student Loan,
Artificial Intelligence, Medicaid, Medicare, National Security, Mental Health, Women, Employment, Jobs

Watch this year’s State of the Union address and mark your board when the president mentions the topic or issue
indicated in each space. Be sure to take notes that help explain the topic that was mentioned in the speech, so you
can contribute to class discussion.

STATE OF THE UNION BINGO CARD

FREE
SPACE
What do you think is the most important issue our country is facing this year? Choose one
topic from the State of the Union address, and explain how you might solve it.
DESIGNATED SURVIVOR:
Like in the TV show, every State of the Union has their own “next-in-line” or a “just-in-case” a catastrophe
strikes. The person chosen as designated survivor – generally a cabinet member – must be in the presidential
line of succession, so should something happen to the president, someone would be ready to step up
immediately to ensure the continuity of government, meaning someone will be in charge to direct the necessary
functions of the federal government at all times.

Here’s the current presidential line of succession:

1. Vice President: Kamala Harris

2. Speaker of the House of Representatives: Mike Johnson
3. President pro tempore of the Senate: Patty Murray
4. Secretary of State: Antony Blinken
5. Secretary of the Treasury: Janet Yellen
6. Secretary of Defense: Lloyd Austin
7. Attorney General: Merrick Garland
8. Secretary of the Interior: Deb Haaland
9. Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack
10. Secretary of Commerce: Gina Raimondo
11. Secretary of Labor: Julie Su
12. Secretary of Health and Human Services: Xavier Becerra
13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Marcia Fudge
14. Secretary of Transportation: Pete Buttigieg
15. *Secretary of Energy: Jennifer Granholm
16. Secretary of Education: Miguel Cardona
17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Denis McDonough
 18. *Secretary of Homeland Security: Alejandro Mayorkas

*Neither Alejandro Mayorkas nor Jennifer Grandhom are naturally-born U.S. citizens, therefore neither could
become president

This year the cabinet member chosen for designated survivor was Miguel Cardona, the Secretary of Education