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.

View our Constitution Explained video series for short-form videos to share with students about the executive and other branches of government.

6-8

9-12

Game

6-8, 9-12

Convene the Council

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

6-8, 9-12

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.
Lesson Plan

6-8, 9-12

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.
Lesson Plan

6-8, 9-12

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.
Lesson Plan

6-8, 9-12

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!
Lesson Plan

6-8, 9-12

Mini-Lesson: The Presidential Agenda

For the winning candidate, campaign promises evolve into an official presidential agenda. And despite the doubting general public, 75% of agenda goals since Woodrow Wilson have…
Lesson Plan

6-8, 9-12

Mini-Lesson: The First 100 Days

Even presidents have to worry about making the grade! Discover the history behind the “First 100 Days” and its impact on the American presidency with this new lesson plan that…
Lesson Plan

6-8, 9-12

Executive Command Extension Pack

Transform your students’ gameplay into meaningful and memorable learning. You can now download and assign extension pack materials directly from the Executive Command game…
Lesson Plan

6-8

Nation Builder 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…
Lesson Plan

6-8

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…
Lesson Plan

6-8

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…
Lesson Plan

6-8

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…

Use the Scope & Sequence to help you plan your iCivics classroom experience!

Whether you enjoy finding opportunities within a well-structured sequence of resources or prefer looking around for pieces and bits that can be jigsawed together, our Scope & Sequence documents are a perfect reference point for planning. Scope & Sequence documents are available for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms and list all of our resources in one place.

Explore Our Resource Guides:

FOR TEACHERS

FOR DISTRICTS

The Executive Branch

Convene the Council

Mini-Lesson: Vice President

Shedding Light on a State of Emergency (Infographic)

Impeachment and Conviction (Infographic)

Six Roles of the President (Infographic)

Mini-Lesson: The Presidential Agenda

Mini-Lesson: The First 100 Days

Executive Command Extension Pack

Nation Builder in Chief

A Very Big Branch

For The President, All In A Day's Work

Foreign Policy: War & Peace and Everything In…

Mini-lesson: Veto Power (HS)

Six Roles of the President (Infographic)

Cabinet Building

Mini-Lesson: The Presidential Agenda

Mini-Lesson: The First 100 Days

Executive Command Extension Pack

Being President

Executive Command

Use the Scope & Sequence to help you plan your iCivics classroom experience!

The Executive Branch

Explore resources in this unit

Convene the Council

Mini-Lesson: Vice President

Shedding Light on a State of Emergency (Infographic)

Impeachment and Conviction (Infographic)

Six Roles of the President (Infographic)

Mini-Lesson: The Presidential Agenda

Mini-Lesson: The First 100 Days

Executive Command Extension Pack

Nation Builder in Chief

A Very Big Branch

For The President, All In A Day's Work

Foreign Policy: War & Peace and Everything In…

Mini-lesson: Veto Power (HS)

Six Roles of the President (Infographic)

Cabinet Building

Mini-Lesson: The Presidential Agenda

Mini-Lesson: The First 100 Days

Executive Command Extension Pack

Being President

Executive Command

Use the Scope & Sequence to help you plan your iCivics classroom experience!