Read Section 3 of Article II which explains what the President's duties are as Law Enforcer. The Constitution does not state that the President shall execute the laws himself, but that he will ensure that laws are "faithfully executed."

This resource provides the annotation on Section 2, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution., which outlines the President's responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief.

The FPA is an "organization founded in 1918 to educate Americans about significant world issues that have an important impact on their lives." Gives students an opportunity to take part in activities through the Great Decisions program.

Included are James Madison's two inaugural addresses, his State of the Nation speeches, as well as other writings related to the Constitution. Of particular interest is his speech of 1812.

Read the inaugural address of John Adams and his speech to the Congress concerning the XYZ Affair. Be sure to read his State of the Nation Address in 1800, the first delivered in Washington, D.C., the new capital.

This resrouce gives the text of Gerald Ford's State of the Union Address in 1977.

This slide and the six that follow it (use the advance button near the bottom of the screen) offer an explanation of each of the three branches of government and the duties they perform, including discussion of the tensions arising from "shared" powers. Written as a unit for middle school, it provides a straightforward view that is useful for upper grades as well. Includes questions for students as they progress through the material.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A middle school lesson plan that helps students research the history of the qualifications for a president and presidential elections.

Here one finds President Johnson's address to the nation in which he lays out his legislative priorities and his assessment of foreign affairs the early part of his administration.

Students learn how civil rights activists including the Freedom Riders, state and local officials in the South, and the Administration of President Kennedy come into conflict during the early 1960s.

This lesson provides students with an opportunity to study and analyze the innovative legislative efforts of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson in the social and economic context of the 1960s.

The full text of the State of the Union Address which was delivered in 1981 by former President Jimmy Carter .

Scroll through this article to find an account of the election of 1812 in which James Madison was running as the first war president.

Even in its first 30 years of existence, the U.S. Constitution had to prove its durability and flexibility in a variety of disputes. More often than not, James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," took part in the discussion.

Video [1:14] provides a fun look at the Monroe presidency during what is known as the "Era of Good Feelings". Support materials include background essay on Monroe and a handout so students can follow along with the video. National Education Standards provided for teachers.

In this lesson, students gain a sense of the dramatic effect of FDR's voice on his audience, see the scope of what he was proposing in these first two "Fireside Chats," and make an overall analysis of why the series of speeches were so successful.

How did Abraham Lincoln understand the relationship between principles of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?

Why is James Madison such an important figure? Why is he known as the "Father of the Constitution"? How involved was James Madison in the most important events in America from 1775 to 1817? The answers to these questions provide context for understanding the importance of James Madison's opinions on constitutional issues.

Students will read President Madison's War Message (in either an edited/annotated or full-text version) and be given the opportunity to raise questions about its contents.

Many accounts portray the campaign of 1840 as almost exclusively image-based. This lesson offers students the opportunity to reflect on the nature of the campaign. Though intended for the teacher, all or part of the following background information may be useful for some students.