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Presidential Powers

 

 

Subjects

  • U.S. History
  • Language Arts

Grades

  • 6-8
  • 9-12

Brief description

Students study the section of the Constitution that refers to the executive branch and write a proposal for a new power for the president of the United States.

Students study and discuss the section of the Constitution that refers to the executive branch,

  • write a new section or clause describing a new duty for the president of the United States,
  • define the words power (as described in the Constitution) and proposal,
  • work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords

Constitution, president, United States, article, clause, section, amendment, power

Materials needed

Lesson plan

You may want to complete this activity in two lessons.

Lesson 1

  • Have students study the powers of the executive branch from library, textbook, or online sources.
  • Discuss the meaning of the word power as it relates to the president of the United States.
  • Divide the class into small groups. Discuss the meaning of the word proposal.
  • Tell students to brainstorm ideas for a new power for the president. Tell each group to write the suggestion as a proposal for a new section or clause to the article that describes a new power for the president.
  • Give students one or more days to complete the assignment.

Lesson 2
Students present their completed proposals. Let students choose the ones they think are most viable and reasonable.

Extension: Have the class send their proposals to a U.S. senator or representative for a reaction.

Assessment

Evaluate students' proposals.

Lesson plan source

Education World

 


Last updated 2/14/2017