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

• copies of Article II of the U.S. Constitution from a library resource, textbook, or Cornell School of Law: Constitution of the United States: Article II
• paper
• pens or pencils
• computer with Internet access and word processing program (optional)

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