Activity Overview
The President of the United States is a crucial and complex job in government. The president has many roles as head of the country, and understanding even a few of them is helpful for students as they learn what powers the president has and what action they can take.
Students will create a Spider Map that represents four of the roles of the President of the United States of America. Students should select four of the roles from the list below, create a title for each of the cells, and create a visual representation of what each role entails.
Roles of the President
- Chief of State
- Chief Executive
- Chief Administrator
- Chief Diplomat
- Commander in Chief
- Party Chief
- Chief Citizen
- Chief Legislator
Extended Activity
To extend this activity, students should research the history of these roles of the president and create a storyboard that represents specific events that have occurred during history. Students do not need to select the same president for each role in this activity and can instead span the entire list of presidents to find events that they found most interesting.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map that describes four roles of the President of the United States.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify four different roles of the president.
- Write a summary of each role in the description boxes.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
The President of the United States is a crucial and complex job in government. The president has many roles as head of the country, and understanding even a few of them is helpful for students as they learn what powers the president has and what action they can take.
Students will create a Spider Map that represents four of the roles of the President of the United States of America. Students should select four of the roles from the list below, create a title for each of the cells, and create a visual representation of what each role entails.
Roles of the President
- Chief of State
- Chief Executive
- Chief Administrator
- Chief Diplomat
- Commander in Chief
- Party Chief
- Chief Citizen
- Chief Legislator
Extended Activity
To extend this activity, students should research the history of these roles of the president and create a storyboard that represents specific events that have occurred during history. Students do not need to select the same president for each role in this activity and can instead span the entire list of presidents to find events that they found most interesting.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map that describes four roles of the President of the United States.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify four different roles of the president.
- Write a summary of each role in the description boxes.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Identifying the Roles of the President
Design a classroom debate to explore presidential roles
Engage students by organizing a debate where each group represents a different presidential role. Debates help students deepen understanding and practice civic discourse.
Assign presidential roles to student groups
Divide your class into small groups and assign each a specific presidential role (e.g., Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief). This fosters collaboration and ensures each group becomes an expert.
Guide students to research real-world examples
Have each group research a real event where their assigned role was important. Encourage use of primary sources for authentic learning and to connect history to current events.
Support students in preparing arguments
Help groups outline key points and evidence to support why their role is most crucial to the presidency. This builds critical thinking and persuasive communication skills.
Moderate a respectful classroom debate
Facilitate the debate by setting clear rules and time limits. Encourage respectful listening and let students vote on which role they think is the most important, fostering engagement and reflection.
Frequently Asked Questions about Identifying the Roles of the President
What are the main roles of the President of the United States?
The President of the United States serves several key roles, including Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Party Chief, Chief Citizen, and Chief Legislator. Each role carries unique responsibilities and powers within the government.
How can students visually represent the roles of the president in a classroom activity?
Students can create a Spider Map to visually represent the roles of the president. They should choose four roles, label each section with a title, add a summary, and illustrate what each role involves to help deepen their understanding.
What is a spider map and how is it used to learn about the president's roles?
A spider map is a graphic organizer that helps organize information visually. In learning about the president's roles, students use a spider map to break down and illustrate four different roles, making the information easier to understand and remember.
What are some examples of historical events related to the president's roles?
Examples include President Lincoln as Commander in Chief during the Civil War, President Kennedy as Chief Diplomat during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and President Johnson as Chief Legislator signing the Civil Rights Act. Students can research various presidents to find more historical examples.
Why is it important for students to learn about the different roles of the president?
Learning about the president's roles helps students understand how government functions, the separation of powers, and the impact of leadership decisions on society. This knowledge fosters civic awareness and informed citizenship.
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