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iCivics Curriculum Unit

The Executive Branch

Students 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 in it.

Check out this quick video on the Executive Branch on YouTube!

Choose Grade Level:

  • Game

    Convene the Council

    Step inside the Situation Room and take on the role of president responding to international events.
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  • Lesson Plan

    Mini-Lesson: Vice President

    Find out about the importance of the vice presidential candidate in a presidential election, and how this person is much more than a running mate.
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  • DBQuest

    Little Rock: Executive Order 10730

    When President Eisenhower authorized troops under federal authority to desegregate Little Rock Central High School in 1957, he became the first president since Reconstruction to use federal forces to help enforce equal rights for African Americans. Using the example of Executive Order 10730, students will explore how executive orders can be used to enforce the law and examine how Eisenhower justified his actions. 
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  • Lesson Plan

    Shedding Light on a State of Emergency (Infographic)

    In case of emergency, declare it! Help your students understand what it means when a state of emergency is declared with this printable infographic.
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  • Lesson Plan

    Impeachment and Conviction (Infographic)

    Impeachment really is only half the story! Follow the processes and powers of impeachment in this easy to follow printable infographic. 
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  • Lesson Plan

    Supreme Court Nominations

    This lesson plan teaches the fundamentals of Supreme Court Justice nominations and helps students understand the politics behind the nominations. It challenges students to cut through the politics and compare nominees’ judicial philosophies and includes an optional extension for students to research and analyze the controversial nominations and confirmation processes of Robert Bork, Harriet Miers, Clarence Thomas, and Merrick Garland.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDFs of this lesson's materials below!
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  • Lesson Plan

    Six Roles of the President (Infographic)

    From Commander-in-Chief to Chief Executive—keep track of the many hats worn by the president with this printable infographic for your classroom!Love this infographic? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters. 
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  • Lesson Plan

    Executive Command Extension Pack

    Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Executive Command. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts. That means deeper learning for students, and best practices around game-centered learning for you!  Extension Packs require PowerPoint and are designed for use with projectors or interactive whiteboards.
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  • Lesson Plan

    Nationbuilder in Chief

    Starting a brand new nation was a tough job for America’s first presidents—and it didn’t help that many Americans were wary of the new central government. In this lesson, students learn about some of the decisions and actions the first presidential administrations took to make sure the United States would be strong enough to last.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
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  • Lesson Plan

    A Very Big Branch

    In A Very Big Branch, students learn that there's more to the executive branch than just the president! Students explore the roles and responsibilities of the presidential cabinet and executive departments and agencies.
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See how it all fits together!

View Scope and Sequence