National Government: The Executive Branch
Session 5: Presidential Succession

Materials

• Overhead projector or board
• Handout, Presidential Succession (Attachment B)

Instructional Activities

1. Have students give examples of people who may assume the duties of another person in case of illness or death. (Examples might include substitute teacher, vice-chairperson of an organization, or understudy to the star of a play.) Student responses may vary; however, responses should center on the fact that provisions are made for a particular person to step into a particular role if necessary. Relate these examples to the provisions made for presidential succession.
   
   
2. Provide students with the list of Presidential Succession (Attachment B). Ask them how the positions listed on the Presidential Succession handout demonstrate the importance of each position in government.
   
   
3. Have students create in their notebooks a chart with the headings of Presidential Successor and Duties.  Under the Presidential Successor column, have the students write down the title of the position that comes next in line for office.  Under the Duties column, have students write down the job duties or areas of responsibility for each Presidential Successor.
   
   
4. Review the chart.
   
   
5. Allow students to make another chart with the headings of Presidential Successor and Reasons. Under the Presidential Successor heading, students should alter the actual list to show who they believe should be next in line for the Presidency. Under the Reasons heading, have students explain their reason for each alteration.
   
   
6. Allow students to conduct a book search to determine which Constitutional Amendment pertains to Presidential Succession. (25th Amendment)
   
   
7. Allow students to discuss the rationale of having a Presidential Succession list clearly defined. (Closure Activity)
   
   
8. Homework: Have students identify which positions as listed on the Presidential Succession handout have the least likely chance of becoming President.  Students need to explain their answer.  Review for Test.