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EXTENDED CURRICULUM

United States Presidents

Presidential Leadership and American Democracy — Presidential leadership, constitutional decisions, power and historical interpretation.

Essential course question: How can historical inquiry help us evaluate evidence, context, change, and diverse perspectives?

4 units / pathways16 planned lessons

Curriculum Overview and Unit Map

Use the expandable unit directory to see course topics, proposed learning outcomes, pacing and each named lesson. Select any lesson to open its structured preview.

4 units16 lessonsStandards mapping in development
P1 · Origins of the Presidency4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does origins of the presidency help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Origins of the Presidency · Why Did the Framers Create a President? · George Washington's Precedents · Early Presidents and the Growth of Executive Power

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Why Did the Framers Create a President?Lesson in Development2. George Washington's PrecedentsLesson in Development3. Early Presidents and the Growth of Executive PowerLesson in Development4. Presidential Elections and the Electoral CollegeLesson in Development
P2 · Leadership and National Crisis4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does leadership and national crisis help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Leadership and National Crisis · Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War · Presidential Leadership During Reconstruction · Franklin Roosevelt and the Great Depression

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Abraham Lincoln and the Civil WarLesson in Development2. Presidential Leadership During ReconstructionLesson in Development3. Franklin Roosevelt and the Great DepressionLesson in Development4. Presidents in WartimeLesson in Development
P3 · The Modern Presidency4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does the modern presidency help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: The Modern Presidency · Theodore Roosevelt and Progressive Reform · Presidential Leadership During the Cold War · Civil Rights and Presidential Responsibility

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Theodore Roosevelt and Progressive ReformLesson in Development2. Presidential Leadership During the Cold WarLesson in Development3. Civil Rights and Presidential ResponsibilityLesson in Development4. Executive Power in Modern AmericaLesson in Development
P4 · Comparing Presidents4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does comparing presidents help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Comparing Presidents · How Should Historians Evaluate Presidents? · Presidential Decisions and Their Consequences · Controversial Presidential Legacies

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. How Should Historians Evaluate Presidents?Lesson in Development2. Presidential Decisions and Their ConsequencesLesson in Development3. Controversial Presidential LegaciesLesson in Development4. The Presidents Challenge: Historical MasteryLesson in Development

Related Interactive Game

Play the existing Presidents Challenge

Our Curriculum Design Notes

This original course outline organizes historical themes into disciplinary inquiry, comparisons, evidence-based writing, accessible learning and assessment for deeper understanding.

Curriculum Design Reflection

Inquiry questions, progressive outcomes and source evaluation guide our independent instructional work. Full research and assessment design are added as individual lessons are developed.