📖

Building the Executive Branch

The New Government Begins

Day 122of 180
Week 25of 36
30Minutes
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🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the role of the President's Cabinet

2

Learn how Washington organized the first executive departments

3

Recognize the importance of godly leadership and organization

📖 Scripture Connection

Exodus 18:21

“Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”

— Exodus 18:21 (WEB)

This verse demonstrates the biblical principle of choosing wise and godly leaders to help manage complex responsibilities

📦 Materials Needed

  • Large poster board
  • Colored markers
  • Government position cards
  • Printed images of early government officials
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and discuss what a 'cabinet' means. Explain it's a group of advisors who help a leader make important decisions.

💭 Review Question: What do you think makes a good advisor?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how George Washington created the first executive departments: State, Treasury, and War. Discuss the role of each department and how they help the government function.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Washington wanted to create a strong but balanced government
  • Each department had a specific purpose to help the new nation
  • Leaders need wise counsel, just like in the Bible
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why is it important for leaders to have advisors?
  • How might different people with different skills help solve problems?
3Activity: Cabinet Creation Poster (10 min)
hands-on

Students work in groups to create a poster showing the first three executive departments and their roles.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide into three groups
  2. Each group designs a section for State, Treasury, or War
  3. Draw and describe the department's main responsibilities
  4. Share posters with the class
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher provides more guidance and pre-drawn templates

Challenge: Students research additional details about each department

4Closing (5 min)

Recap the importance of organization and teamwork in government

📝 Review Questions:
  • What were the first three departments?
  • Why did Washington create these departments?
  • How can good leadership help a community?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be wise leaders who seek good counsel and serve others with humility.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about Alexander Hamilton's financial plans for the new government

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 16:12

“It is an abomination for kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.”

— Proverbs 16:12 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Cabinet Leadership Charades

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

This lesson introduces the basic structure of the executive branch and how George Washington established key government departments.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage discussions about leadership at home
  • Help children understand the importance of teamwork
  • Connect government organization to family and church leadership
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find government structure complex

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of basic roles and importance of organized leadership

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a family 'cabinet' to help make household decisions
  • Research more about the first government leaders
  • Draw a timeline of the executive branch's early development

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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