All  In  a  Day’s  Work

Name:

**  TEACHER’S  GUIDE  **

A.  I’ve  Got  the  Power!  Match each responsibility of the president and vice president with the correct power or duty found in the Constitution. President’s  Responsibilities 1) _E__ Lead weekly meetings where I ask the leaders of executive branch departments for advice on how  to  handle  the  country’s  most  difficult   problems. 2) _L__  Go  to  Congress  and  give  my  yearly  “State  of   the  Union”  speech  on  what’s  happening  in   America. 3) _M__ Decide whether to approve or reject a bill that Congress has sent me. 4) _B__ Follow the Constitution and the law even if I disagree with it. 5) _C__ Decide whether to send more troops into war knowing that some will die, but it will keep the country safe.

Powers & Duties Listed in the Constitution: A. Power to carry out the laws B. Must protect and defend the Constitution C. Commander in Chief of the military D. Elected with the president to hold office in the executive branch E. May ask advisors, who lead parts of the government, for their opinion on different issues F. Is the president of the Senate

6) _A__ Make sure the Department of Homeland Security properly carries out new airport safety laws that will anger some travelers.

G. Pardon someone for a crime, canceling their punishment

7) _K__ Hold a press conference where I ask Congress to spend more money on space exploration.

H. Make treaties with other countries (with Senate approval)

8) _G__ Decide whether to let someone out of prison based  on  the  prisoner’s  good  conduct  and   particular circumstances

I. Take office as president if the current president dies, resigns, or is unable to do the job

9) _H__ Negotiate an agreement with another country that would lower the taxes each one adds to the sale of items from the other country.

J. Choose new Supreme Court justices (with Senate approval)

10) _J__ Choose a new Supreme Court justice to replace one who is retiring.

K. Make recommendations to Congress about what laws are needed

Vice  President’s  Responsibilities

L. Update Congress on how things are going in the country

11) _I__  Take  over  as  president  if  I’m  needed. 12) _F__ Act as leader of the Senate. 13) _N__ Cast a tiebreaking vote in the Senate. 14) _D__ Work with the president to run the executive branch.

M. Sign (approve) or veto (reject) bills from Congress N. Can vote in the Senate if the senators are equally divided on a vote Review Worksheet p. 1

All  In  a  Day’s  Work

**  TEACHER’S  GUIDE  **

Name:

B. So Many Laws, So Little Time! The executive branch is in charge of carrying out thousands of laws,  but  the  President  doesn’t  do  this  alone.  Departments  inside  the  executive  branch  are   responsible for carrying out certain kinds of laws. Complete the table by matching each executive department to its function. Use the word/picture bank for help.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

FUNCTION

1

Homeland Security

Works to protect the country against terrorism and make sure the borders are safe.

2

Treasury

Makes coins and paper money, tries to help the economy, and collects taxes.

3

Defense

Keeps the United States safe using the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and other military resources.

4

Justice

Enforces federal laws, prevents crime, and punishes those convicted of federal crimes.

5

Agriculture

Supports farmers, makes sure our food is safe, and gives recommendations about good nutrition.

6

Health & Human Services

7

Transportation

8

Education

Works to protect the health of all Americans and offers medical and other basic services to people in need. Builds and maintains federal highways and railroads, makes rules for air travel, and promotes transportation safety. Provides funding to public schools and helps students pay for college.

C. Crossword! Complete the puzzle using information from the lesson.

1B

I

2. Political party of the current president and vice president 3. Length of a presidential term, in years Across 1. Name of the current vice president 4. Word that refers to the sequence of who will become president if something happens 6. Number of times a president can be elected

E

N

E

S

E

Down

5. Name of the current president

2D

4

S

3F

M

O

O

U R

C

C

S

I

5

O N

R

B

A

A

6T

I

W

O

M A

C Review Worksheet p.2

A Very Big Branch

** TEACHER GUIDE **

Alphabet Soup You saw some acronyms in the reading. Can you remember what these stand for?

Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Drug Enforcement Agency

Attorney General

Environmental Protection

Department of

Agency

Homeland Security

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Department of Defense

Did you notice any patterns? See if you can figure out which agencies these are:

Department of Energy

Department of Education

Department of Health

Department of Housing

and Human Services

and Urban Development

Department of Veterans Affairs

Central Intelligence Agency Activity Projection Master

A Very Big Branch

** TEACHER GUIDE **

Name:

A. Cabinet Departments. Use the word bank to fill in the missing words from the graphic organizer: Attorney military

armed homes

basic needs money

_______countries___________

fuel

college

highway

public lands

wages

__money__

countries terrorists

farmers trade

court

__armed___

___ATTORNEY__ _____farmers_____ _____court_______

_____trade________

___fuel___

_____basic needs______

____public lands________

__wages___

____college_____

__terrorists___

____highway_____

____military_____

____homes_______

B. Who Said That? Identify which secretary might give the following advice or information: 1) “Mr.  President,  we  need  to  invest  in  more  solar  electricity.”

Sec. of ____Energy_________

2) “Mr.  President,  we  saw  a  decrease  in  highway  deaths  this  year.”

Sec. of ____Transportation___

3) “Mr.  President,  agents  intercepted  a  terrorist  threat  this  morning.”

Sec. of __Homeland Security__

4) “Mr.  President,  it’s  time  to  take  the  penny  out  of  circulation.”

Sec. of __Treasury__________

5) “Mr.  President,  we  need  to  combat  bark  beetles  in  the  national  forest.” Sec. of ___Interior__________ Worksheet p. 1

A Very Big Branch

Name:

** TEACHER GUIDE **

C. Whose Job Is It, Anyway? Identify the executive agency that would most likely execute each act:

The Veterans Educational Assistance Act (2008)

Protect America Act (2007)

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994)

Increases educational benefits for military veterans who have served since September 11, 2001.

Provides the intelligence community tools to gather important information about terrorists.

Increased the number of police officers, funding for prisons, and crime prevention programs.

Department of Veterans Affairs

No Child Left Behind Act (2001) Ensures that students in every public school achieves important learning goals by well-prepared teachers.

Department of Education

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) Makes it easier for Americans to be covered by health insurance and get medical attention.

Department of Health And Human Services

Department of Homeland Security

Helping Families Save Their Homes Act (2009) Prevents families from loosing their homes to foreclosure.

Department of Housing And Urban Development

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (2002) Provides support to American farmers.

Department of Agriculture

Department of Justice

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009)

Gives funds to projects like ones that support improving roads, bridges, and other public structures.

Department of Transportation

The Clean Air Act (1963) Controls air pollution on a national level.

Environmental Protection Agency

D. Enforce and Regulate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works to protect public health and safety. Decide if each item on the list is a CDC regulation or enforcement activity.

Worksheet p.2

U.S. Foreign Policy... …  is  this  country’s  actions,  words,  and  beliefs   towards other countries. The main goals of our foreign policy are to: protect America and Americans support economic growth and human rights around the world increase support for American values like democracy and freedom Most often, the President and executive branch initiate our foreign policy responses to world events and work with the legislative branch to carry out those responses.

Foreign Aid... …  is  the  help  or  assistance  that  we  give  to  other   countries, usually through our Department of State. The main goal of our foreign aid is to create friendships abroad and foster future trading partners. Foreign aid comes in many forms. The most common are economic, like money military, like soldiers helping after a disaster advice, like how to create a democracy

Projection Master p.1

Military... …  is  this  country’s  troops,  led  by  our  President  who   is called the Commander-in-Chief. The main goal of our military is to prevent war and protect the United States. The Department of Defense is made up of the following branches: Army Navy Air Force Marines

Treaties... …  are  a  formal  agreement  between  countries  that,   like laws, must be followed. The President is responsible for negotiating and signing treaties. All treaties must be approved by 2/3rds of the Senate. An example: Countries form an alliance through signing a treaty. This treaty says that if one of the countries is attacked, the others will step in to protect each other.

Projection Master p.2

Foreign Policy

** TEACHER GUIDE **

Name:

U.S. Foreign Policy Definition: Main Goals

country’s actions, words, beliefs toward/about other countries 1) 2) 3)

protect US & Americans support economic growth & human rights increase support of values like Dem. and freedom

Key Players:

- President and Executive branch initiate policy

- Legislative branch carry out policy

Foreign Aid Definition:

help or assistance, through Dept of States

Main Goals

Forms

Create friendship abroad and foster future partners

1) 2) 3)

economics military

Military Definition:

country’s troops, led by Pres

Main Goals

Active Groups

Prevent war and protect the United States

advice

1)

Army

2)

Navy

3)

Air Force

4)

Marines

Treaties Definition:

formal agreement between countries

Who is involved?

Example:

President—negotiates/signs

Alliance to protect each other

Senate—approves by 2/3’s vote

Notes

Foreign Policy

** TEACHER GUIDE **

Name:

A. Foreign vs. Domestic. Read each example and select the correct word to fill in the blank. 1. Americans often refer to a country that is not the United States as a __________ country domestic

3. Someone who is really good at chores and maintaining a home might be described as a __________ person. domestic

foreign

foreign

2. A language that is not English and comes from a country outside the United States is called a ___________ language.

4. If you get on an airplane and take a flight that doesn’t  leave  the  country  it  is  called  a  ________   flight.

domestic

domestic

foreign

foreign

Looking at the examples you answered above, complete the following definitions and draw a symbol that represents the term to you in each box. “Foreign” refers to things that happen ____________________ of the United States.

outside

“Domestic” refers to things that happen ____________________ of the United States.

inside

B. Which is which? Read each example below and decide if it is a domestic policy—addresses issues at home—or a foreign policy—addresses  issues  around  the  world.  Label  each  with  a  “D”  or  and  “F.”

D

_____ 1. The government wants to make sure students are learning what they should be, so it requires standardized testing in certain grades.

D

_____ 2. The government operates national parks in different parts of the country.

F

_____ 6. The United States is attacked, and the President, in his role as Commander-inChief, calls on the U.S. military to defend the U.S. by attacking the other country.

D

_____ 7. The government decides how much money Americans must pay in federal _____ 3. The United States is allied with countries taxes. around the world, which means they are partners  and  look  out  for  each  other’s   _____ 8. The government makes an agreement interests. with specific countries that none of them will attack each other. _____ 4. The United States provides help to other countries when natural disasters, like _____ 9. The government cleans up land and earthquakes, occur. water areas that are severely polluted.

F

F

F

F

_____ 5. The countries of the world meet to decide how to handle climate change, and the United States plays a role in the talks.

D

D

_____ 10. The government enforces federal laws and sends convicted criminals to jail.

Activity p.1

Foreign Policy

** TEACHER GUIDE **

Name:

C. Who does what? The Constitution, the rulebook for the government, says who has which foreign policy powers. Using your notes, see if you can figure out who is responsible for which power and write them in the correct places in the chart bellows. Negotiates and signs

2/3’s  of  the  Senate  must  approve

Makes recommendations on and signs or vetoes bills into law.

As Commander-in-Chief, can send troops around the world

Writes and passes bills

Declares war

Foreign Aid

President

Congress

Makes recommendations on and signs or vetoes.

Writes and passes bills

Military

Treaties

As Commander-inChief, can send troops around the world

Negotiates and signs

Declares War

2/3’s must approve

D. What do you think? Read the questions below carefully and check the answer that best reflects your opinion. 1. Who do you think has the most difficult job when it comes to foreign policy? President Congress

2. Why do you think the writers of the Constitution gave Congress a voice in most foreign policy decisions? so the President can make decisions on his own and not listen to Congress

Why? List two reasons that you think that branch has the hardest job when it comes to foreign policy. 1)

2)

to make it really difficult for our country to respond in a war to make sure that not just one person had all the power in making these important decisions, like whether or not to go to war Activity p.2