State of the Union... for Kids!

Update: I wrote this before the SOTU was delivered. Now, I realize that President Obama spoke about issues you simply may not want your kids to know about -- repealing "don't ask, don't tell" for example.  In other words, use wisdom -- it's not all kid-appropriate!

It's all too easy to dismiss the state of the union address as partisan or "politics as usual."  But parents should look at this as an ideal chance to talk to their kids about our nation's history and our political process.  Watch it with them, turn off the pundits, grab some hot chocolate, and discuss!

1. What did you think about President Obama's speech?

2.  What kinds of ideas did he propose?

3.  Do you agree with them? Why or why not?

4.  How did the members of Congress react to his speech? Politely?  Dismissively?  How should we treat the President even if we disagree?

Remember it's best if they can connect this event to their own lives.  

Need more State of the Union fun?  This quiz, created during the Clinton years, can help your kids test their knowledge of the SOTU:

1. The State of the Union is:
A.  a speech given by the President of the United States to labor unions
B.  a territory belonging to the United States
C.  a message given by the President of the United States to Congress
D.  a famous Civil War speech

2. In the State of the Union:
A.  Members of Congress give their ideas to the President on new laws and policies
B.  the President talks about important issues facing Americans
C.  Leaders of the House and Senate give speeches to Members of Congress
D.  the Vice President makes suggestions to the President on how to solve the nation's problems

3. The State of the Union message is usually given:
A.  once during each Presidential term
B.  twice a year
C.  only in a Presidential election year
D.  once a year, in January or February

4. The State of the Union message is required by:
A.  an act of Congress
B.  the Bill of Rights
C.  a Presidential executive order
D.  the United States Constitution

5. The first president to give a State of the Union message was:
A.  George Washington
B.  Thomas Jefferson
C.  Franklin Roosevelt
D.  Calvin Coolidge

6. Which President gave the shortest State of the Union message?
A.  Franklin Roosevelt
B.  Thomas Jefferson
C.  George Washington
D.  Calvin Coolidge

7. Which President gave the longest State of the Union message?
A.  Bill Clinton
B.  Calvin Coolidge
C.  Harry Truman
D.  Franklin Roosevelt

8. Which President gave the most State of the Union messages?
A.  George Washington
B.  Franklin Roosevelt
C.  Theodore Roosevelt
D.  Bill Clinton

9. Calvin Coolidge was the first President to give his State of the Union message:
A.  in person before Congress
B.  on television
C.  on the radio
D.  in writing

10. The first State of the Union Message on television was given in:
A.  1923
B.  1947
C.  1952
D.  1960

Parents, find out the answers here!