Introduction

Enduring Knowledge: The President has a large team of people who help carry out his or her duties in shaping foreign and domestic policy.

Analyze the photograph. Name at least one person you recognize in the photo. Who are the other people? What do you notice about their demeanor (relaxed, worried, serious, happy, etc.)? Why do you think they are meeting?

Open President Obama's cabinet meeting photo in a new tab | President Obama's cabinet meeting photo text version

President Barack Obama presides at a Cabinet meeting in the White House in 2009.


Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • identify the members of the President's staff and their role in supporting the President.
  • identify who makes up the President's cabinet and how they work with the President.
  • determine which departments hold the most power.
  • explain how the President's cabinet influence foreign and domestic policy decisions.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Government objective(s): 12.3, 12.3 and 15.

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R4, R7, W4, and W9.

 

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