Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Executive Leadership Recap: Roles of the President
The President wears many hats such as Chief of State, Party Leader, Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief. Try your hand at assisting the President with his schedule, as the Chief of Staff.
iCivics
I Civics: Six Roles of the President (Infographic)
Infographic helps keep track of the many hats worn by the president.
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: Living Room Candidate (Campaign Ads)
Online exhibition of presidential campaign ads, 1952-2008, organized by election year, theme, and political issue. Audio/video presentations of ads can be viewed alongside written transcripts, making Living Room Candidate particularly...
Other
Usa.gov: Presidential Election Process
Follow the path to being elected President of the United States. Each step is highlighted and explained with examples if applicable. Also, contains a downloadable infographic that can be used in the classroom to explain this unique process.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: Modern Democracy in America
This is a collection of 19 Grade-Leveled texts (6-12) on the topic Modern Democracy in America. How does democracy function in modern-day America? Learn how a bill becomes a law, the role of American presidents, and much more in this...
PBS
Pbs Kids: Painting Presidential Portraits
Want to be president for a day? This online lesson plan will have students exploring the role of our presidents past and present. Through art connections the learners will be led through a series of fun activities on their way to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Communicating With the President
Students will be able to apply knowledge about the writing process in this lesson plan about communicating with the President of the United States. Presidential Resources, academic content standards and ways to extend the instructional...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: The Tech: Questions About Bush's Iran Contra Role
This article from the Los Angeles Times discusses President George H.W. Bush's involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal and implications for the 1992 presidential election.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Is the Role of the President?
The president has great power granted to him under Article II of the Constitution, while at the same time extensive limits have been placed to keep that power in check. This source contains extensive background on these powers and...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: The Living Room Candidate
Campaign ads changed the course of presidential elections when introduced in 1952. By examining ads from the elections of 1952 and 1988, students will understand the historical issues specific to that time period and themes common to...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: American Presidency: A Glorious Burden
Review the lives and careers of the presidents (current through 2001), particularly the burdens that the office imposes, by examining documents and artifacts that clarify the powers of the office, the role of presidential campaigns, life...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Post War Prosperity and Cold War Fears 1945 1960: The American Dream
Looks at the policies of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, both at home and abroad. Also examines changing gender roles in the 1950s, and the impact of suburbanization on America.
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Convention History
Online NewsHour discussion of the role and impact of great speeches at the national conventions. Some discussion of platform conflicts as well.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Understanding the Nomination Process
From its conception in the United States Constitution, to necessary adjustments in the 12th Amendment, students will understand the nomination process and role of political parties in establishing a president with the aid of this lesson.
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson: Midterm Elections
Students will learn about the midterm election, its role as a referendum on the presidency, and how a shift in party control impacts the legislative and executive branches.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained
A brief video that describes the Electoral College and its role in presidential elections. [5:22] Followed by a quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in California: Potomac (Presidential Yacht)
Formerly the USCGC Electra, this ship was Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidential yacht from 1936 until his death in 1945 and only one of three still existing presidential yachts. On August 3, 1941, she played a decoy role while...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: Type of Commercial Backfire
Sometimes commercials backfire. The words, or image, of a candidate can be used against him or her to show that the candidate cannot be believed, has broken a promise, or has "flip-flopped" on an important issue. Here, you can view some...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: Elections: Candidates
A brief history of the role that candidates play in the United States Presidential Election.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President's Cabinet
This is a fun way to teach elementary students about the Presidential Cabinet, which includes the Vice President, 14 secretaries from executive departments and the Attorney General of the United States. Learn about this group's role in...
CNN
Cnn: The Reagan Years: Inside the White House
Part of a cnn.com in-depth special "The Reagan Years", this site provides you with brief explanations of the US in 1980, the 1980 presidential election and assorted topics of Reagan's presidency including the assassination attempt, the...
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson: Veto Power
Explores the presidential veto and pocket veto powers, their role as a negotiating tool, and the Congressional veto override process. Students also learn how to use fact-checking and triangulation to evaluate news claims and detect...
US National Archives
Nara: Pcast Principles
This National Archives and Records Administration site, provides access to PCAST Principles: Executive Office of the President, President's Committee of Advisors On Science and Technology, Washington, D.C. 20500 (June 18, 1996). The...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the u.s
This is a fairly detailed explanation of the role of the President as leader of the United States.