Presidents Press Conference

Presidential Press Conference

What is it?

This project will allow students to learn about the jobs and responsibilities of the executive branch through the lense of their chosen president.

After selecting a president, students will compile a biography of information to help immerse themselves into this historical character. The more "into" character students get, the better this project will be!

The end result? A press conference full of questions, debate, and scandal!

The Press Conference

How it works

3-4 presidents will sit in the hot seat together at the same time.

Your Role

First and foremost, you are your president! But you will also be a member of the press, asking questions to those in the hot seat! To do this, you will be asked to create 7-10, open - ended questions to be posed to your fellow presidents.

Sessions

For full credit, each session of the press conference is required to last for 20 minutes. There will 5 - 6 sessions per class period. It is the responsibility of the presidents as well as the press to keep conversation going for the entire time. Presdients are graded individually on their content knowledge and ability to display that knowledge but session times are graded as a group. Do your part!!

Helpful Hints

To receive some bonus points, dress up as your president, get into the character, immerse yourself in their mannerisms and personalities. This will make the project more enjoyable and authentic!

Make notecards or a quick fact sheet to have in the hot seat with you. While you should memorize a lot of basic information, this will be helpful when answering larger questions!

Be organized!

Practice speaking in front of people at home or with friends. You are being graded on this!

Know who your president liked and/or disliked. You will be able to ask more "fun" questions this way :)

Information to Collect

1. Biographical information on initial handout - the more detail you have about these things, the better!

Highlight the roles of your VP's and First Lady
Be sure to include any scandals too!!

2. The Presidency - An Overview

The 9 roles of the president - How did your president fulfill each of the roles? Which did he do the best job fulfilling?

Note: Most presidents will not have done all of the following things. That is OK. You are still learning about them while researching this information about them. Again, the more you know, the better off you will be!

3. The President's Domestic Powers

How did your president use:
- Executive Orders
  - Famous ones?
  - How many?
- Executive Privilege
- Appointments
  - Did they get to appoint a Supreme Court Justice?
- Reprieve
- Pardon
- Clemency
- Veto Power

4. The President's Foreign Affairs Powers

How did your president use the power to:
- Make treaties
- Make executive agreements
- Recognize other nations and their governments/leaders
- Make "undeclared war"

5. The Executive Office of the President and the Executive Departments

How have the EOP and executive departments changed since your president was in office?
- Additions, roles, etc...
What was your president's relationship with their cabinet (heads of the executive departments)?
- Appointments
- Advise/direction, etc...
- Diversity
How did your president's cabinet impact their presidency?

6. Foreign Policy Overview

Did your president have any part in the foreign policies mentioned in the book?
What conflicts occurred during their presidency that required special foreign policy?

7. Diplomacy

How did your president's Secretary of State impact their diplomacy?
How did your president use:
- The right of legation
- American Ambassadors
- Diplomatic Privileges
Did your president grant any special foreign aid?
- Why?
- What was the purpose?