Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

The Office of the Executive

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
An executive is not just a leader of a company; you can also use the term to describe the president of the United States. The ninth part of a 20-part unit teaches high schoolers about the importance of the executive branch and the...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

The Powers of the Executive

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Are executives as powerful as they sound? High schoolers find out about the US president and executive branch. A variety of activities include scaffolded reading sections, research assignments, and collaborative group work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

iCivics: Executive Command

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the role of President of the United States. In this executive branch instructional activity, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of Americans as they act as president.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders listen to a lecture about the government of Indiana, and the three branches of government. They discuss the reasons for the three branches and read from their text the information on government. Students play a game to...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Courts and Judges

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If the Supreme Court is so supreme, why do all cases not just start there? High schoolers learn why every case does not start at the Supreme Court as well as the importance of hierarchy in the US judicial system in the 11th installment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President Do?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discuss the powers and responsibilities of the President, list some precedents established during Washington's presidency, and match presidential actions with the type of Executive power it is.
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

The House of Representatives

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The House of Representatives has a lot of responsibility  in the United States government. But how did it all begin, and why is it the way it is now? A comprehensive lesson plan answers all of these questions about the US...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day as President

For Teachers K - 1st
Youngsters identify the President as the leader of the United States government, as well as learn about the jobs and responsibilities of the head of the executive branch. Including a simple printable and detailed instructional...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Checks on Presidential Power

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Power of an MP versus Their Loyalties to the Cabinet and Caucus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze the benefits and drawbacks that the government MP faces belonging to a party caucus and their association with a powerful executive in the cabinet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Many Powers of the President

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students become familiar with the many roles of the president. They are given various scenarios. They must decide which of his "hats" he must wear given the specifics of each situation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Emancipation Proclamation

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students examine the Emancipation Proclamation. In this Emancipation Proclamation lesson, students examine the document and respond to 6 questions regarding it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Plan of Government under the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students explore the U.S. plan for federal government. In this U.S. Constitution lesson plan, students investigate a chart on the responsibilities of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative Branches of governments. Students...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Voting and the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How difficult was it for everyone to get voting rights? Understanding voting rights and the fight to get them for everyone in the United States can be tricky for some learners. However, they are clarified after engaging in the...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Lawmaking and the Rule of the Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How many constitutional clauses does it take to create a bill? High schoolers find out with several activities and  selected clauses about the rule of law and the US Constitution. Various coinciding activities help to strengthen...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Did That Get There?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues. They analyze the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of elected and appointed officials in the national legislative, executive, and...