A great way to provide students with equal footing and to facilitate better classroom discussion is to introduce them to key vocabulary and terms at the start of a lesson. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and represents key vocabulary of the Executive Branch. This will help them better comprehend this branch of the United States government and provide a visual reference for later activities. Students should define the term in the column to the left and create a corresponding visualization of each defined vocabulary term. The number of terms in student’s storyboard can vary at the teacher’s discretion.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key vocabulary for the Executive Branch.
Help students apply their new executive branch vocabulary by writing sentences that show real-life government scenarios. Using words in context boosts understanding and retention—students see how terms like 'veto' or 'treaty' work in action!
Show an example by picking a word (like 'cabinet') and writing a sentence as a class: 'The president met with the cabinet to discuss national security.' Highlight how the word fits into the sentence and its government context.
Encourage each student to choose three executive branch terms and write original sentences using each. Push for sentences that reflect real executive branch situations or decisions.
Pair up students to share their sentences. Ask partners to check for correct usage and suggest improvements. This reinforces understanding through collaboration and immediate feedback.
Select a few excellent sentences from your students and post them on a vocabulary wall or share aloud. This showcases learning and gives everyone reference points for using terms accurately.
Important Executive Branch vocabulary terms include veto, Electoral College, White House, Cabinet, Executive Order, impeachment, pardon, State of the Union Address, presidential succession, mandate, primary elections, treaty, treason, vice-president, lame duck, political platform, nominee, liberal, and conservative. Teaching these terms helps students understand the structure and functions of the U.S. government’s Executive Branch.
An effective and engaging way to teach Executive Branch vocabulary is by using visual vocabulary boards or storyboards. Have students define each term and create illustrations representing them, which helps with comprehension and retention.
A visual vocabulary board is an activity where students list key terms related to a topic, provide definitions, and add illustrations for each word. For government lessons, this method helps students visualize concepts and deepen their understanding.
Introducing Executive Branch vocabulary before a lesson gives all students a common foundation, improves classroom discussions, and makes it easier for them to grasp new concepts during the lesson.
Visual vocabulary boards on the Executive Branch are suitable for students in grades 6–12. The activity can be adjusted for different ability levels and works for both individual and group work.