LESSON PLAN
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT
Patsy P. Meeks
Boiling Springs High School
The job of the President is extremely complex and demanding. The
United States Constitution provides only a vague outline of the
American Presidency. However, Americans have defined and extended the powers of the office over time. Some Presidents have done well at balancing the numerous roles they are expected to play, while others have stumbled, unable to master the many duties of the office. Studying the American Presidency offers students an opportunity to explore the democratic political process and helps them to understand how this process fits into American history. Through this lesson, students will have the opportunity to evaluate the Presidency of the United States and broaden their knowledge of history during certain time periods.
TARGET GRADE/SUBJECT: 11 th -12 th grade Social Studies
American History, U.S. Government
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to explain the responsibilities of the president and will evaluate the successes and failures of past
Presidents.
S.C. CURRICULUM STANDARDS ADDRESSED: 12.4.3, 12.4.4,
12.5.6, 12.5.12, 12.6.8
TIME PERIOD: 5 to 7 days

TEACHER BACKGROUND:
The President of the United States has a demanding and complex job. The Presidency is a single office; however, the person who is in office must play a number of different roles simultaneously.
Each of these roles is closely interrelated with the others. Through examples of former Presidents, the presidential roles have become more clearly defined over the years. The President must serve as the Chief of State, Chief Executive, Commander-in-Chief, Chief
Diplomat, Chief Legislator, and Chief Politician. The way that the
President carries out the roles depends on many factors, such as domestic and international issues of the time, the President’s personality, and the people the President has working in the
Executive Branch.
In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to explore the roles of the President and evaluate the Presidency of a certain
President.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
Begin lesson with brainstorming activity in which students will brainstorm the President’s primary responsibilities. Write ideas on wall board.
Discussion: Using powerpoint presentation on Roles of the
President, discuss the roles of the President with class.
Explain EVALUATION OF THE PRESIDENT PROJECT.