Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: George Washington and Executive Power
George Washington had a role in establishing our nation from the Revolutionary War through his presidency. He was a commander, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and a reluctant first President. Analyze his political...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Abraham Lincoln and Executive Power
Explore the life of Abraham Lincoln from his childhood through his presidency. This module includes extensive background, review questions, critical thinking questions, a timeline, and links to resources and primary sources.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power
This instructional activity examines the legacy of the "philosopher statesman," James Madison. Madison combined the intellectual knowledge and creativity of the scholar with the practical savvy of the politician, a man of strong...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Roles and Powers of the President: Advanced
This resource from Khan Academy provides advanced-level practice questions over roles and powers of the president. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Roles and Powers of the President: Foundational
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational practice questions the roles and powers of the president. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses,...
C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Teaching About Gridlock
Learning module and lesson plan with C-SPAN video resources and related articles for students to examine and deliberate on whether or not the President should exercise executive powers during times of Congressional gridlock.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Do Executive Orders Work?
The framers of the American Constitution made the executive power available to the executive branch. But what exactly is this tool, how does it work, and what's the extent of its power? Christina Greer explains.
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Executive Branch and Presidents
Basic information and key concepts about the Executive Branch and Presidents. Also available from the orange tabs on top: a few interesting stories on the history, a timeline that shows the development of the presidency, some quotes and...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the United States (3 5)
Describes the job and duties of the President of the United States as head of the executive branch. Also discusses how the President is elected and the length of terms of office.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the u.s
This is a fairly detailed explanation of the role of the President as leader of the United States.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Executive Branch: A Hero Betrayed: The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant
Lesson with activity on the Executive Branch, distribution of power, scandal and the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Includes questions for discussion and class activity. Links to supplemental material.
The White House
The White House: The Executive Branch
Learn about the executive branch of the federal government, how it is organized, and the powers and responsibilities of the President, Vice President, the Executive Office of the President, and the departments within the Cabinet.
iCivics
I Civics: Executive Branch
Young scholars 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...
iCivics
I Civics: For the President, All in a Day's Work
Students learn the primary responsibilities of the president and how those duties connect to the powers the Constitution grants to the Executive Branch.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Expansion of Presidential Power: Foundational
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational-level practice questions over the expansion of presidential power. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics...
US National Archives
National Archives: Lesson Plans Congress, the President, and the War Powers
Examine the power of Congress to make war by studying primary source documents from various wars throughout U.S. history. Students will analyze how the balance of authority between the legislative branch and executive branch has changed...
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson: Executive Orders
Students discover how presidents use executive orders to wield power and how the legislative and judicial branches support and challenge these measures.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President Do?
In this Curriculum Unit, learners will consider "Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President do?" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is the Role of the President?
The president has great power granted to him under Article II of the Constitution, while at the same time extensive limits have been placed to keep that power in check. This source contains extensive background on these powers and...
iCivics
I Civics: Six Roles of the President (Infographic)
Infographic helps keep track of the many hats worn by the president.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The President and Congress
A brief description of the interaction between the president and Congress. Also includes information about the process for signing a bill into a law and take a quiz to test your learning.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Ii: The President as a Law Enforcer
Read Section 3 of Article II which explains what the President's duties are as Law Enforcer. The Constitution does not state that the President shall execute the laws himself, but that he will ensure that laws are "faithfully executed."
Other
President Gerald Ford's Veto of Railroad Retirement
Text of the message that President Ford wrote to the House of Representatives in 1974 stating his reasons for his veto of the Railroad Retirement Benefits Legislation.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Article Ii: Powers and Duties of the President
This resource provides the annotation on Section 2, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution., which outlines the President's responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief.