Read Works
Read Works: Power of Americans
[Free Registration/Login Required] An excerpt form a speech given by President Ronald Reagan at the Republican National Convention in 1988. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Harp Week
Harp Week: The Presidential Elections: Events
Read about the domestic policies and events that occured in Grover Cleveland's first term of office. Many of these were events on which he would run as he sought his second term.
iCivics
I Civics: Games: Executive Command
Have you ever thought about being president? Executive Command gives you four years in office to accomplish your legislative and policy goals. You'll make a state-of-the-union address, work with your aides and cabinet, try your hand at...
Other
The Official Site of the President of Russia
Official Russian information on the President of Russia. Find speeches given by the president, news and announcements related to the president, and information about presidential meetings. Also information about the authority and duties...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Nixon Tapes
Transcript of Margaret Warner's interview with Stanley Kutler on his book, Abuse of Power, detailing the sections of the Nixon tapes which show the President's misuse of constitutional power, resulting in his impeachment. Insights into...
iCivics
I Civics: 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.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Ii: Recess Appointments
Explains Clause 3 of Article II, Vacancies during Recess of Senate. It outlines various situations where a vacancy may occur and what rules are in place to deal with it.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Ii: The President as a Law Enforcer
Read Section 3 of Article II which explains what the President's duties are as Law Enforcer. The Constitution does not state that the President shall execute the laws himself, but that he will ensure that laws are "faithfully executed."
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: American Diplomacy
An on-line magazine that provides "Commentary, Analysis, and Research on American Foreign Policy and Its Practice." Also contains articles from actual ambassadors and diplomats in the Foreign Service.
University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame: The Story of the Steel Seizure Case [Pdf]
Read about how President Roosevelt used his presidential powers to prohibit labor strikes during World War II. Scroll to page 4 of this PDF to read this background information which is part of a discussion about President Truman's...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The Legislative Branch: The Veto
Learn about the President's power to veto a bill, and understand how Congress responds when this happens.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Close Calls in u.s. Election History (2016)
Democracy and power to the people are celebrated as key American values, but sometimes democracy is more complicated than one might think. This informational text investigates some close calls in U.S. elections and what caused their...
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...
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Executive Branch and Presidents
Basic information and key concepts about the Executive Branch and Presidents. Also available from the orange tabs on top: a few interesting stories on the history, a timeline that shows the development of the presidency, some quotes and...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the United States (3 5)
Describes the job and duties of the President of the United States as head of the executive branch. Also discusses how the President is elected and the length of terms of office.
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The President and Congress
A brief description of the interaction between the president and Congress. Also includes information about the process for signing a bill into a law and take a quiz to test your learning.
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.
PBS
Pbs: The President's Cabinet: Choosing the Right Members (Lesson Plan)
A lesson that involves pupils in explaining the confirmation process of presidential appointees by testing the system of checks and balances and the separation of powers. The lesson also requires students to simulate the confirmation...
Other
The Verge: All the Ways Congress Is Taking on the Tech Industry
After the 2016 presidential contest and years of investigations from intelligence experts, Congress woke up to the power Big Tech holds over democracy - whether it's through collecting data or serving up political ads. For legislators,...
Library of Congress
Loc: Herblock's Presidents
Historically significant collection of political cartoons featuring U.S. Presidents from Library of Congress online teacher-student resources.
Other
President Gerald Ford's Veto of Railroad Retirement
Text of the message that President Ford wrote to the House of Representatives in 1974 stating his reasons for his veto of the Railroad Retirement Benefits Legislation.
iCivics
I Civics: Three Branches: Laws in Action
Embark on his WebQuest to follow the path an idea takes to eventually become a law. Read a short description regarding the role of each branch of government and then answer a follow-up question using the link provided.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President Do?
In this Curriculum Unit, students will consider "Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President do?" in 3 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
iCivics
I Civics: Six Roles of the President (Infographic)
Infographic helps keep track of the many hats worn by the president.