The Modern President

Lesson Plan

Everything changes over time. The presidency is no exception. In this lesson, students look at the Framers’ original vision for the presidency and explore how the role has expanded and evolved since it was established.

Pedagogy Tags

History Connection

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

I find the materials so engaging, relevant, and easy to understand – I now use iCivics as a central resource, and use the textbook as a supplemental tool. The games are invaluable for applying the concepts we learn in class. My seniors LOVE iCivics.

Lynna Landry , AP US History & Government / Economics Teacher and Department Chair, California

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.
View
Game

Convene the Council

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

Executive Command

Being the president is no easy task. Are you up to the challenge? Now available in Spanish!
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 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.iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.
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