While the President holds the top role in the Executive Branch, there are other figures who play major roles within the branch. The president has a cabinet of advisers that lead various federal departments. As students are likely unaware of each department and how it operates, it can be helpful for them to research a few!
In this activity, students will create a spider map that explores the role of the president’s cabinet. For each department, students should include the title of the cabinet department, a representation of the cabinet’s role, and a description of thedepartment.
Students may choose from the following departments:
Extended Activity
In this extended activity, students will create a spider map that represents specific cabinet secretaries throughout history and represent the effect they had on society. The spider map might include the entire span of American history, or a selected series of years. For each cabinet member selected, students will include a title with the name of the secretary, along with the years they served in office, a visual representation of a specific accomplishment of that secretary, and a description of their representation.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map describing the roles of four executive departments.
Promote critical thinking by having students represent and defend different cabinet departments in a structured debate. This strategy helps students engage deeply with the functions and importance of each department.
Ensure balanced participation by letting each student or group focus on one department. This encourages ownership and thorough understanding.
Encourage use of facts, historical examples, and creative visuals. This builds research, reasoning, and presentation skills.
Keep the discussion focused and fair by establishing guidelines. Assign roles like moderator and timekeeper for smooth flow.
Discuss what students learned about the executive branch and how different departments impact society. Reflection solidifies new knowledge and connects it to real-world issues.
The President's Cabinet includes key federal departments such as Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs. Each department is led by a Cabinet secretary who advises the President on specific policy areas.
Students can explore Cabinet roles by creating a spider map that highlights each department's title, its main responsibilities, and a brief description. Visual representations and summaries help make the information memorable and easy to understand.
A spider map is a graphic organizer that helps students visually organize information. For the President's Cabinet, students use it to connect department names, their roles, and descriptions, making complex government structures easier to grasp.
Studying Cabinet secretaries helps students understand how leadership decisions shape national policies and society. Learning about past secretaries and their achievements highlights the real-world impact of government roles.
To create an effective spider map, choose four departments, clearly label each branch, write concise summaries, and add relevant illustrations. Focus on key responsibilities and use visuals to enhance understanding for all learners.