Teaching the Executive Branch

One topic that is always popular when teaching any government course is the presidency. Honestly, students are always so engaged to learn about the person who is the leader of the United States. They want to know everything they can about the role once the person officially enters the White House. So, teaching the executive branch is always fun and exciting! Since students are naturally engaged, they are eager to learn more about the presidency every day. Thankfully, there are so many amazing resources to include when teaching about our leader, such as The Executive Branch Unit. Students will love analyzing and discussing this essential role! 

Teaching the Executive Branch

The Executive Branch Unit 

This is the perfect unit to deepen your teaching! It is a 10-day unit focusing on the executive branch and checks and balances. The lessons include required elements for AP US Government and Politics, so they push students to analyze this branch critically. 

This resource contains over 100 products, ensuring students analyze and critically consider all the components of the presidency. To keep learning exciting, there are also tons of activities. These include cooperative group activities, centers, reading passages, games, and projects. Additionally, there are lesson plans, tests, assessments, and rubrics. Best of all, the lessons are highly organized, with each activity in its own folder! 

President Timeline Display  

Learning the order of presidents is key when teaching the executive branch. So, this timeline is the perfect way to turn any wall into a vibrant learning tool. Students will love being able to look at the wall and see the order of presidents. Honestly, this is the perfect way to turn blank space and daydreaming into key educational components. 

Presidential Succession Lesson 

Whenever teaching the executive branch, success is a student-favorite topic. They are always fascinated to learn how this process works! So, this resource is the perfect solution! 

It includes a lesson plan, a 17-page Google Slides presentation, a 2-page handout, and an answer key. Students will learn what the Constitution says about success, laws covering succession, and different types of succession. They will even learn about tests that presidential succession has experienced throughout US History. 

After learning about presidential succession, there is even a fun matching activity to check for understanding. 

Powers of the President Lesson 

Honestly, it is fascinating to learn about the powers the president holds! So, this resource helps ensure students understand the wide range of powers the person in power has. 

Specifically, students will learn about the evolutionary powers of the presidency, which are not listed in the Constitution. This always sparks an interesting and engaging discussion! Additionally, they will learn about executive privilege, agenda setting, signing statements, and veto power. To help them process the information, there is an 18-page Google Slide presentation, video links, and a student handout. The handout even has students match provided scenarios to the correct evolutionary presidential power, a great way to ignite critical thinking skills. 

Teaching the executive branch is crucial. Students need to understand its complexities to fully understand the stresses of holding office. Thankfully, these lessons help ensure that students learn about the presidency and the entire executive branch!

If you do not want to miss any of the upcoming lessons, join my email list to be notified of all the interactive lessons coming up! By joining the email list, you will receive freebies for blog exclusive subscribers! 

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With 15 years of experience teaching government, U.S. history, sociology, and AP government in New York and Pennsylvania, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to students and teachers all over the world. She is also a certified AP U.S. Government grader for the College Board. Melissa proudly calls Wooster, Ohio, home and is a dedicated mother of two active boys and a supportive wife to a lacrosse coach.

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