Was the Constitution’s separation of powers intended to create an absolute executive privilege? As the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump reaches its conclusion this week, this and other questions have been at the forefront of the national conversation. Has your knowledge of U.S. History and the Constitution helped facilitate your classroom discussions on these topics?
How and When Did the Legislative Branch Begin Ceding Power to the Executive Branch? This lesson from Congress and the Constitution explores the rise of an administrative state which centralized more power in the hands of federal agencies in the executive branch and blurred the relationship of the branches of government and their respective constitutional powers.
What Do George Washington’s Last Actions as President Say About His Character?
In the late spring of 1792, President George Washington sat down in Philadelphia to write a letter to Representative James Madison. He faced a momentous decision that would affect both his personal life as well as his young country...Read More.
Learn the Story Behind One of Abraham Lincoln's Last Speeches
In his Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln offered a message of reconciliation and respect for the vanquished foe. It was one of his last speeches as he was assassinated five weeks later. Learn the rest of the story with this American Portraits narrative and lesson.
How Was Harry Truman's Life Shaped by Integrity? Harry S. Truman was born on May 8, 1884, on a small farm in Lamar, Missouri. While growing up, he developed a passion for politics and eventually made connections with the Kansas City Democratic Machine run by “Boss” Thomas J. Pendergast. Truman wanted to go to West Point but was rejected because of poor eyesight...Read More.
BRI News
Think the Vote Debate: Should Schools Be Allowed to Censor Student Journalists? You and your students can win gift cards and swag by participating in our latest debate prompt on Think the Vote. The latest question: Should schools be allowed to censor student journalists?
Educator Spotlight
Meet Ryan Kelly! How did teaching mathematical principles to small groups of underclassmen during his senior year of high school lead Ryan Kelly to a career as a middle school social studies teacher? That's an interesting story, actually.
"I was asked to help these students prepare for their upcoming standardized math tests," says Ryan. "As much as I enjoyed teaching mathematical principles, I knew that I would enjoy teaching a subject matter that I truly loved like American History even more!" ...Read More.
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BoE: Bottom of Email
Dear Educator Friends,
Do your students ask you who your favorite president is? How do you answer?
My default answer is George Washington, which probably makes me "typical," but I do love to talk about his leadership, his humility, the precedents he set, and how he just wanted to go back home to Mt. Vernon. And why not? If you've been there, you know how lovely it is! It's definitely one of my favorite places to visit in all of Northern Virginia. If you haven't been, add it to your bucket list of places to go and make sure you leave enough time for the museum — it's excellent!
If you're a fellow Washington lover and don't already know about our Heroes and Villains lesson that features him, I encourage you to check that out too. It's a great one to use in your classroom as you think about what to use for Presidents Day or any other time you cover him.
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