STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
(5 MINUTES)

Write president on the board. Then ask students to list as many responsibilities of the U.S. president as they can. After reading the article, revisit the list to see how accurate it was.

INDEPENDENT READING
(15 MINUTES)

Have students read the article on their own, writing down any comments or questions.

CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS
(10 MINUTES)

Have students write their answers to each question, or use these prompts to guide a discussion.

• SUMMARIZING: What are the president’s main jobs?
(Overseeing the federal government, keeping the economy running smoothly, representing the U.S. as head of state, leading his or her political party, maintaining the country’s global status, influencing laws, and making military decisions.)

• CLOSE READING: How are the roles of the president and Congress different in regard to war?
(Congress declares war, but the president decides where and when U.S. troops will be deployed, who will lead them, and how the U.S. will use its weapons, including bombs.)

FEATURED SKILL: READING A DIAGRAM

Reinforce students’ understanding of the three branches of government by assigning the skills sheet Reading a Diagram: Checks and Balances.