The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch

Students will learn about the executive branch, including the unique role and powers of the president and the function of executive departments and agencies. They will explore key facets of foreign policy and the president’s role in it.

Check out this quick video on the Executive Branch on YouTube!

Lesson Plan

Six Roles of the President (Infographic)

From Commander-in-Chief to Chief Executive—keep track of the many hats worn by the president with this printable infographic for your classroom!

DBQuest

The Louisiana Purchase: Branching Out

President Jefferson usually gets the credit for the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which doubled the size of the young nation. But this ignores one important actor, the U.S. Congress. Nearly every step of the process involved the approval of, and funding from, the Legislative Branch. This DBQuest will walk you through primary sources that show the give and take between the two branches.

Lesson Plan

Mini-lesson: Presidential Appointments (HS)

Learn about unilateral presidential appointments, nominations, and the Senate confirmation process. Then investigate the role the media plays as a gatekeeper and agenda setter in the accompanying news skills-related activity.

Lesson Plan

Mini-lesson: Executive Orders (HS)

Discover how presidents use executive orders to wield power and how the legislative and judicial branches support and challenge these measures. Then take a look at what fair and balanced reporting on an executive order might look like and practice evaluating perspectives in online news articles of choice.

Lesson Plan

Mini-lesson: Succession (HS)

Review the official presidential line of succession and read about its origins. Students also learn how to detect satire in a news literacy-related activity.