Teachers | iCivics

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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…
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DBQuest

Cherokee Resistance

The 1830 Indian Removal Act authorized President Andrew Jackson to negotiate treaties with tribes in order to relocate them to land west of the Mississippi & open their lands to white settlement…
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Lesson Plan

Oregon Treaty (1845)

With the Oregon Treaty, the United States added what today is the Pacific Northwest. In this mini-lesson, students learn how it happened, what tensions were involved, and how Native Americans were…
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Lesson Plan

Annexation of Texas (1845)

The United States annexed Texas after years of debate. In this mini-lesson, students learn about Texas’ independence from Mexico, the role of slavery in delaying Texas’ admission, and how President…
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Lesson Plan

Mexican Cession (1848)

The Mexican-American War ended with Mexico giving up a million acres of land to the United States. In this lesson, students learn about Americans’ drive to expand west, tensions between the U.S. and…
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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…
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Lesson Plan

Six Roles of the President (Infographic)

From Commander-in-Chief to Chief Executive—keep track of the many roles of the president with this printable infographic for your classroom!Love this infographic? Explore all of our free election…
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Lesson Plan

Mini-Lesson: Executive Orders (HS)

Discover how presidents use executive orders to wield power and how the legislative and judicial branches support and challenge these measures. Then take a look at what fair and balanced reporting on…
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Lesson Plan

Mini-Lesson: Succession (HS)

Review the official presidential line of succession and read about its origins. Students also learn how to detect satire in a news literacy-related activity.
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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

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

Separate and Sovereign

The relationship between Native nations and the U.S. federal government is important to understand. This mini-lesson provides an overview of tribal sovereignty from the past to the present. It also…
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Lesson Plan

Why President?

What was the Framers’ vision for the role of the presidency? In this lesson, students examine why the Framers created the presidency, how it differed from leaders around the world, and how President…
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Lesson Plan

Second Branch: The Executive

What are the powers of the president? In this lesson, students take a deep dive into Article II of the Constitution to examine the structure and function of the executive branch.
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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…
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Lesson Plan

The Modern President

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…
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Lesson Plan

Order Up! Executive Orders (Infographic)

Order up! What the president says goes... or does it? This printable infographic explains what executive orders are, how they work, and what they can be used for, and how they are limited.
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WebQuest

What Can a First Spouse Do?

The president’s job is clearly defined, but what is the role of the First Lady and how has it evolved over time? In this WebQuest, students learn how first spouses have contributed to the leadership of the country.
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