Introduction
I have learnt to expect that it will rarely fall to the lot of imperfect man to retire from this station with the reputation and the favor which bring him into it. -Thomas Jefferson
The role of the President of the United States should not be taken lightly. In the eyes of many of my students the President is raised on a pedestal of omniscient power. He knows all, can do all, and should do everything right. While teaching US government I have asked my students if they would like to be elected president. They always say no because of the high pressure, responsibility and expectations of the job. The above quote from Thomas Jefferson's first inaugural speech hits on the fears of the Presidency my students have: you will never be the same person after your term is over.
Each year the 5th grade class at my school takes a three-day field trip to Washington, DC. This trip is something that the students look forward to since kindergarten, and often students will say to me "I have been waiting 6 years for this". The excitement of going on an overnight trip is part of the thrill but it is also because of the significance of Washington, DC. Students always ask if we will visit the White House, or meet the President, and are always amazed at the history of the different monuments and memorials. My students' screams of delight of seeing the Washington Monument in person make all my preparation worth it. This curriculum unit has prepared me to better serve my students with a deeper understanding of the Constitution, and specifically the executive branch. I hope that through this unit my students will have an even richer experience on our trip to DC.
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