How did you do?!!!

Let’s see what you learned! Question #1: What is the “State of the Union?”

State of the Union: A yearly speech the President gives to both houses of Congress where he/she highlights the top priority issue to achieve.

What tasks did the President take care of Question #2: What tasks did the President take care of in the White House?

The President: Read bills to see if they contained good or bad policy. Signed good bills into law. Vetoed bills that include bad policy. Received requests for diplomacy tasks.

Can anyone name all the buildings that made up the game’s landscape?!! Question #3: Can anyone name all the buildings that made up the game’s landscape?!!

Health and Human Services Treasury The White House The U.S. Capitol Health and Human Services Education Homeland Security Energy Defense (The Pentagon)

What do government agencies do? Question #4: What do government agencies do? Example: Department of Education

Government Agencies: Carry out the laws that have just been passed. Handle the laws that deal with their particular subject area. For example, the Department of Homeland Security carries out the laws protecting U.S. borders. The Department of Health and Human Services carries out laws that ensure safe medicines.

Do you know who was running the agencies in the game? Question #5: Do you know who was running the agencies in the game?

Cabinet Secretaries! These are some of the President’s closest advisors. Each cabinet member is an expert in his or her field and knows a lot about the law in the area.

Question #6: What was the purpose of diplomacy tasks? What are some examples? What did the President need to do to handle a diplomacy task?

Diplomacy Tasks: Purpose: To make sure the U.S. has good relationships with other countries. Examples: Meet with foreign leaders to build friendships, discuss military problems, and handle issues of international importance. These were different than the other tasks in that the President needed to travel to the foreign country to handle them.

Question #7: Who declared war?

Congress! The Constitution gives Congress the right to declare war! (Note: There are times when the President can start a military action, but only Congress can officially declare war.)

What were the President’s responsibilities during times of war? Question #8: What were the President’s responsibilities during times of war?

The President: Signed Congress’ declaration of war into law. Made decisions about which branch of the military should respond to a military task. (According to the Constitution, the President is Commander-in-Chief of the military forces!) Signed the peace treaties. (These also require 2/3 Senate approval.)

Whose support did the President need for his top policy priority? Why? Question #9: Whose support did the President need for his top policy priority? Why?

The President needs: Congress’ support to achieve his policy goals. Why? Because only Congress can make laws!

How long is a President’s term in office? What happens then? Question #10: How long is a President’s term in office? What happens then?

Presidents have the job: For 4 years! Then he/she must get reelected by the people to keep the job for another 4 years! But that’s it. The Constitution only allows presidents to serve two terms in office.

Question #11: Your Opinion When playing the game, how did you decide which tasks to handle first? Why?

Question #12: Your Opinion Do you want to be president? Why or why not? Did playing the game change your answer to this question?