Unit Cover Page

Unit Title: Executive Branch Part 1

Time Frame: 3 weeks
Course: Government
Grade Level: 12th grade

CURRICULUM/STANDARDS
List all appropriate national, state or district curriculum or standards that align to this unit:
Strand 3: Civics/Government
Concept 2: Structure of the Government
PO 6. Analyze the structure, powers, and roles of the executive branch of the United States government.
a. Specific powers delegated in Article II of the Constitution.
b. Roles and duties of the president.
c. Development and function of the executive branch, including the cabinet and federal bureaucracy.
d. Election of the president through the nominations process, national, and Electoral College.

KEY THEMES/QUESTIONS
List the key themes/questions that are guiding this unit:
What roles do primaries, caucuses, and national conventions play in presidential elections?
What is the electoral college and how does it function?
What powers does the president have as chief executive of the United States?
What powers does the president have as chief legislator of the United States?
What powers (informal/formal) does the president have as commander in chief of the United States?
What powers does the president have as chief diplomat of the United states?
What is the extent of the presidents judicial powers?
How does the media influence how the public perceives the president, and what consequences does this have?

ASSESSMENT
List the assessments that will be used to gauge student learning. This may include traditional quizzes or
exams, as well as major learning activities such as simulations, labs, etc.
Civic Test Questions-Executive Branch (USCIS)
Intermediate Executive Branch Handouts (USCIS)
Writing Assignment 1: Evaluate the pros and cons of the U.S presidential election process. Is the U.S. election system
democratic? Why or why not? How would you reform it? Support your position with material provided in class.
Writing Assignment 2: Review the powers exercised by the Executive branch. Which powers do you consider to be most

important in helping the president carry out his role as president of the United States? Support you arguments with
material we have covered in class.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS
List all resources (copyrighted or otherwise) that you will need to teach this unit. This should be a
comprehensive list of all resources you will need to create or borrow (including textbook chapters, additional
readings, videos, power points and teaching notes, handouts, assessments, etc.)

Magruders American Government (chapters13-17) textbook

Civic Test Questions-Executive Branch (USCIS)
PowerPoint Presentation: Presidents Job and Presidential Succession and the Vice President
PowerPoint Presentation: Government at Work: The Bureaucracy and Financing the Government
http://www.whitehouse.gov
Graphic Organizer handout-chapter 12 section 1
Graphic Organizer-Executive, Legislative, Judicial Powers, Diplomatic and Military Powers
CNN Explains: Conventions (YOUTUBE)
(1)Primaries vs. Caucuses-Civics in a Minute-Take Part TV (YOUTUBE)
(2)Electing a U.S. :President in Plain English=Common Craft (YOUTUBE)
(3)How the Electoral College Works-CGP Grey (YOUTUBE)
U.S. Constitution-Article II
The Watergate Scandal http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
The National Budget Simulation http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/inex.php?lid=306&type=student

Unit Calendar
MONDAY
01/05
-Syllabus and
Expectations
-Student
Questionnaire
-Civic Test Questions:
Executive Branch

TUESDAY
01/06
-Presidential
Selection: The
Framers Plan (13.3)
(Review Presidential
Nominations process,
Electoral College
(13.4-5)
[YouTube videos
1,2,3)
01/13
Legislative and
Judicial Powers (14.4)

WEDNESDAY
01/07
-Presidents Job
Description (13.1)
Graphic Organizer,
Ch. 13 section 1Roles, Qualifications,
Terms

THURSDAY
01/08
-Presidents Job and
Presidential
Succession and the
Vice President (13.1)

01/14
Legislative and
Judicial Powers (14.4)

01/15
Diplomatic and
Military Powers (14.3)

-U.S. Constitution
Article II
-Graphic OrganizerExecutive, Legislative,
Judicial Powers,
Diplomatic and
Military Powers

-U.S. Constitution
Article II
-Graphic OrganizerExecutive, Legislative,
Judicial Powers,
Diplomatic and
Military Powers

-U.S. Constitution
Article II
-Graphic OrganizerExecutive, Legislative,
Judicial Powers,
Diplomatic and
Military Powers

01/19

01/20

01/21

01/22

01/23

No School Martin
Luther King Jr

Block Schedule
No class

*Writing Assignment 2
(1st half of block hour)
Government at Work:
The Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy
Simulation

Bureaucracy
Simulation Discussion

01/12
Growth of Presidential
Powers (14.1)
Executive Powers
(14.2)
-U.S. Constitution
Article II
-Graphic OrganizerExecutive, Legislative,
Judicial Powers,
Diplomatic and
Military Powers

FRIDAY
01/09
*Writing Assignment 1

PowerPoint
Presentation

01/16
Diplomatic and
Military Powers-Wrap
Up (14.3)
Foreign Affairs
-U.S. Constitution
Article II
-Graphic OrganizerExec, Legislative,
Judicial Powers,
Diplomatic and
Military Powers

(15.1-5) (2nd half of

block hour)