U. S. Government: Democracy In Action

Chapter 9: Presidential Leadership

Web Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter students learned about the powers of the presidency, the major roles of the president, and the leadership qualities that make a successful president. In this activity students will take a closer look at some of the primary responsibilities of the president.

Lesson Description
Students will visit World Book's Roles of the President Web page to learn more about this office and to study the powers and responsibilities of the president. After answering four questions about the material they have read, students will write a campaign speech in which they outline leadership qualities of a president and how they would uphold the responsibilities of the office.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will be able to summarize the powers of the president.
2. Students will be able to describe the primary functions of the president.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. The president nominates Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and other high federal officials, all of which have to be approved by the Senate. Without the need for Senate approval, he appoints personal aides and advisers and fills lower-level federal jobs.
2. The Constitution gives the president the roles of chief administrator of the nation and commander of the armed forces. Since the writing of the Constitution, the responsibilities and powers of the president have grown to include foreign policy director, legislative leader, party head, popular leader, and chief of state.
3. The president has the power to appoint ambassadors and make treaties, but these actions need Senate approval. He can also make executive agreements with foreign leaders that do not need approval. The president receives foreign diplomats and may refuse to recognize a newly formed foreign government.
4. Students' answers will vary.
5. Students' speeches will vary.