This week's Scholar Exchanges focus on Article II: The Presidency and the Executive Branch
In keeping with our elections theme this month, students will:
- Explore the powers of the president
- Examine Article II of the Constitution, which addresses the presidency and the executive branch
- Evaluate major Supreme Court battles over presidential power
- Analyze how the president’s powers have expanded over time
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Part lecture and part lively conversation, these sessions are open to the public so that students, teachers, and parents can join in a constitutional discussion with the Center's scholars.
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Article II: The Presidency and the Executive Branch
- Monday, October 12, and Wednesday, October 14
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, October 16
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
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Voting Rights Amendments Session
Week of October 19
In this session, students learn about voting rights in America through a historical exploration of the right to vote in America. Where does the Constitution protect the right to vote? What role did the amendment process play in shaping voting rights? What has the Supreme Court said about the right to vote over time?
- Monday, October 19, and Wednesday, October 21
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, October 23
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
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Constitutional Battles of the Branches
Week of October 26
What happens when elected officials act outside of their constitutional bounds? Our Constitution set up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government would become too powerful, but where did this idea come from and how has this been tested over time in America? From Andrew Jackson and the battle over the country’s national bank to modern conversations around COVID-19, students will engage in a lively and fast-paced conversation.
- Monday, October 26, and Wednesday, October 28
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, October 30
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
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We know that changing class schedules and restrictions can make planning lessons more difficult this year. To help with that, the National Constitution Center posts recordings of all previous Scholar Exchanges so teachers can use them at a time that works best for them.
View the middle school sessions, high school and college sessions, and all ages sessions here. Need the corresponding resources for each session? Find resource briefs and slides for each topic here.
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What insights can Thomas Jefferson provide about federalism? What conflicts between the states and the federal government did the third president of the United States have to contend with? How did his views of Federalism change over the course of his lifetime?
Watch the recorded Friday Scholar Exchange session where Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Steve Edenbo) joined Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, to answer those questions and more.
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These sessions include your class, a scholar, and a moderator—and are available on any of the topics previously discussed in a public Scholar Exchange. Private Scholar Exchanges are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a time that works best for you and your students. Complete a survey here for more information or to register your class. A member of the education team will contact you to help with the planning process.
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Classroom Exchanges connect middle and high school students across the United States for virtual discussions about the Constitution. These sessions are moderated by National Constitution Center scholars, federal judges, and master teachers, but led by student voice. Participating teachers receive lesson plans on the content of the discussion and on civil dialogue techniques, as well as educational resources from the Center's Interactive Constitution.
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In light of President Trump and numerous other high-ranking government officials recently contracting Covid-19—this week’s episode of the We the People podcast explores the 25th Amendment, which outlines what happens if the President becomes unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office. We explore questions related to current concerns including: should President Trump have invoked the 25th amendment when he was in the hospital? And questions that have arise throughout American history such as: What happens if a vacancy in the office of president or vice president arises? What mechanisms does the 25th Amendment lay out for coping with that situation, and what scenarios does it fail to provide solutions for? What if the president is unable to fill his role but won’t step aside? And more. Host Jeffrey Rosen is joined by constitutional scholars David Pozen and Brian Kalt, who wrote an essay explaining the 25th Amendment for the National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution which you can read here.
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The National Constitution Center's education team is here to help with any of our online resources. Email [email protected] with questions or comments on how we can help you and your students with your remote learning needs.
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