C-SPAN
Presidential Veto and Congressional Override
One of the key powers of the executive branch is the president's ability to pass or veto legislation proposed by Congress. Congress, the legislative branch, on the other hand, can override a president's veto. Five film clips show how the...
Curated OER
The Role of the Executive Branch in the Lawmaking Process
Students research the Executive Branches role in making a law. In this law making lesson plan, students study the history of the Constitution and see how much power the President has in making a bill into a law. Students then research on...
Curated OER
The Roles of the President
Students explore presidential duties. In this executive branch lesson, students examine myths regarding the role of the President of the United States and discuss them. Students view a PowerPoint presentation that feature the President's...
Curated OER
Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
Curated OER
Congress - President: Keeping the Balance
In this checks and balances in U.S. government worksheet, students read a 7-paragraph selection regarding Congress and the President and then respond to 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
How Can the President Influence Legislation?
Students examine presidential powers. For this Executive Branch lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the president's influence on legislation as they view a 7-slide PowerPoint presentation.
Curated OER
Branches of Government: Crossword Puzzle
Reinforce terminology that goes along with the branches of government with this crossword puzzle. There are 17 clues provided. Learners fill in the crossword puzzle with the appropriate answers regarding the legislative, executive, and...
iCivics
Mini-Lesson: Presidential Pardons
How do United States presidents give people second chances? Scholars research the concept of presidential forgiveness, or pardon. By completing an Executive Branch Mini-Lesson, class members get a better grasp of the power the executive...
iCivics
Mini-Lesson: Presidential Succession
Who is in line for the presidency? Learners research the line of succession in the executive branch. They analyze the role the cabinet plays in a situation where the president and vice president are not able to serve. Along the way,...
DocsTeach
Documenting Key Presidential Decisions
It's match time! Academics participate in an exciting matching game using primary sources. The activity uses documents of key decisions and matches them to the presidents that they are attributed to. Scholars also make a list of key...
Curated OER
Indian Removal: The Cherokees, Jackson, and the “Trail of Tears”
High schoolers examine executive power. In this Indian Removal instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the "Trail of Tears". High schoolers respond to discussion questions regarding the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: Chief Executives Compared: The Federalist Papers
Fix the Articles of Confederation or develop a new constitution? That was the question facing the Founding Fathers. Several of those in favor of a new constitution published a series of essays, collected in the Federalist Papers, urging...
Curated OER
Presidential Power and Influence
Middle schoolers analyze the powers and duties that Article II of the US Constitution grants the President. They determine the influence the President has on the nation and how philanthropy changes in a nation.
Curated OER
Executive Branch & Presidents Questions
In this U. S. government worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer questions about the responsibilities of the executive branch and the president.
Curated OER
A Hero Betrayed: The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant
Students analyze the career of Ulysses S. Grant. In this Grant presidency instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of Grant's presidency. Students respond to discussion questions...
Curated OER
Limits of Power
Students examine the importance of limiting power in governments. For this government lesson, students investigate the importance of placing limits on government by looking at the US Constitution. They look at ways that being an active...
PBS
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History—Snapshot Lessons
The Roosevelt family was one of the most influential and prominent political forces in the 20th century, leaving behind a wide-ranging legacy of conservation, progressivism, and economic growth. Learn more about President Theodore...
Curated OER
Writing Exercises: Science and Technology II
All revolutions in science and technology have both pros and cons. Kids examine the advent of the green revolution, nuclear growth, use, and the countries that are considered nuclear powers. They'll construct three responses to each of...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Background on the Patriot Attitude toward the Monarch
Learners explain the Patriot attitude toward the British monarchy, which helps them embrace the Founders' reluctance to have a strong executive under the Articles of Confederation as well as their desire to build in checks of executive...
Curated OER
The President's Cabinet
Eighth graders obtain information about the President's Cabinet by using a template, and exploring the bookmarked Internet sites.
Curated OER
The Three Branches of Government
In this United States government worksheet, students learn about the 3 branches of the government: Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. They then answer 10 questions about what they learned. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
Curated OER
Lesson 2: The Tired King
Learners are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). They read and discuss a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Students give a description of the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and the Growth of Party Politics
High schoolers analyze changes in voter participation and regional power, and review archival campaign documents reflecting the dawn of politics as we know it during the critical years from 1824 to 1832. Students utilize worksheets and...
Curated OER
Washington and the Modern Presidency
Eighth graders examine the precedents set by George Washington. In this presidential history lesson, 8th graders discuss the challenges Washington faced as president and how he shaped the presidency to suit his leadership skills....