Executive Command

Game

Have your students ever wanted to be President for a day? In Executive Command, students can play commander-in-chief in this video game and learn how to:

Propose an agenda to Congress
Sign bills into law
Delegate new laws to the appropriate federal agency
Handle international diplomacy
Command the military during times of war

Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters.

Executive Command Extension Pack

Activities and teaching tools to reinforce key game concepts.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the executive branch
Describe the various roles of the president: commander in chief, head diplomat, agenda setter, chief executive
Identify the functions of executive cabinet positions and regulatory departments

This Game is included in the following units:

Related Resources

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.
View
WebQuest

Being President

Ever wondered what it would be like to be President of the United States? Find out what the president does every day, who the president's helpers are, and how the president's job affects your life.
View
Game

Branches of Power

Learn to control all three branches of the U.S. government!
View
Lesson Plan

Cabinet Building

The president isn’t alone when it comes to the day to day work of the Executive Branch. This lesson takes a look at the history of the presidential cabinet, how the cabinet is built through the confirmation process, and why this elite group of people matter to you.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below. Or use our Customizable Google Slide activities!
View
Game

Convene the Council

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

Executive Roles: Money Doesn't Grow on Trees?

Students learn the role of the executive branch in creating and carrying out laws. Through role-play, the class models the legislative and execution processes as they create a new coin in order to learn how the executive and legislative branches work together.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
View
Lesson Plan

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. Students also learn about the types of issues the Executive Branch deals with and which federal agencies handle them.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
View
Lesson Plan

Foreign Policy

Many pieces play a part in carrying out our nation’s foreign policy—and they don’t always get along. In this lesson, students learn what foreign policy is, discover the agencies who execute it, and examine how the legislative and executive branches sometimes clash. The lesson includes a case study that focuses on the Vietnam War and a spotlight activity that asks students to make the tough choices involved in a foreign policy decision.
View
Lesson Plan

Foreign Policy: War & Peace and Everything In…

Students learn what foreign policy means. First, they learn the distinction between foreign and domestic policy. Then they find out what role the executive branch plays in foreign policy and the primary tools it uses: foreign aid, the military, and treaties. In addition, students learn how foreign policy power is shared with the legislative branch.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
View