Presidential Powers

Students Edit Article II of the Constitution with New Duties for the President

from Education World ®

Subjects: History, Langauge Arts

Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12

Objectives
Students will:

study and discuss the section of the Constitution that refers to the executive branch,
write a new section or clause describing a new duty for the president of the United States,
define the words power (as described in the Constitution) and proposal, and
work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords
Constitution, president, United States, article, clause, section, amendment, power

Materials Needed

Have students study the powers of the executive branch from library, textbook, or online sources.
Discuss the meaning of the word power as it relates to the president of the United States.
Divide the class into small groups. Discuss the meaning of the word proposal.
Tell students to brainstorm ideas for a new power for the president. Tell each group to write the suggestion as a proposal for a new section or clause to the article that describes a new power for the president.
Give students one or more days to complete the assignment.

Students present their completed proposals. Let students choose the ones they think are most viable and reasonable.

Extension: Have the class send their proposals to a U.S. senator or representative for a reaction.

Evaluate students' proposals.

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