Units of Study

       American Government is designed to introduce you to many of the major elements of our political system, and, by the end of the course; you should be far more knowledgeable about the functions of our government and your role in that system.

q       Foundations of American Democracy and the Rights of All Citizens

q       State and Local Governments

q       The Executive Branch

q       The Legislative Branch

q       The Judicial Branch

Major Assignments and Projects

CABLE IN THE CLASSROOM

1.  Pick a television program from the list below, or similar political program!

2.  Watch the program at the time it is broadcast or record it and watch it at your convenience.

3.  Write a one-page summary of the show.  Describe highlights from throughout the program.  Include a one-paragraph evaluation.  Tell whether it was good or bad, positive or negative and explain why you liked it or why you disliked it.  Include any debate of topics that relate to what we have been discussing in class or information that was presented in your government textbook.

4.  Your write-up must be typed, one full page in length, ½ inch margins, and 1 to 1 ½ spaces between lines.

5.  Due date: ____________________     Point value:  20 points

 2.  GUIDE TO ATTENDING A POLITICAL MEETING

     I. As part of your grade you are required to attend a political meeting or similar designated function.  The following choices should be considered:

.                 

II.    Meeting requirements:

a.      Copy of the agenda.  Attach this to your final report.

b.     Newspaper article describing the event from the following days paper.

c.      Handwritten Notes Take notes while at the meeting.  Be sure to include the meeting, date, and time.  Attach your handwritten notes to the typed summary (write-up) described below.

d.     Stay for about 60 minutes.  Be sure to sit in the back, and close to the door if possible, so you will not disturb the meeting if you have to leave before it is over.

III.  Write - up:

a.      Write up a 1 page summary and evaluation of the meeting.  Include your impression of the experience.  Give your opinion of our local government based on what you observed.

b.     This paper must be typed, 1 spacing, and ½ inch margins.

3.     Researching the Presidents of the United States

Presidential Portraits

Name:                                                 ________________________________

Years in Office:                                    ________________________________

Political Party:                                      ________________________________

List and explain 4 Major events          

That occurred while this man was

President.

Explain why you think this person           ________________________________

Was a great, near great, average,

Or failure as a President.                       ________________________________

                                                             ________________________________

Write a trivia question for your

President.  Include the question and          ________________________________

The correct answer on this paper.

                                                              ________________________________

Find a portrait of your president and copy it on to the back of this paper.  It should be 8.5 x 11.

Presidents of the United States

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES IN GOVERNMENT CLASS

1.     Collect 2 articles.

2.    One should deal with the United States Senate.

3.    One should deal with the United States House of Representatives.

4.    Attach the article to a piece of paper.

5.    Type a summary of the article.  Translate the article into your own words.

6.    Include in your summary:

a.     Overall summary of the article.

b.    The writer’s opinion on the subject matter.

c.     Your opinion on the subject matter.

d.    Positive and negative aspects of the story.

e.     How it relates to our study of the Legislative Branch of government.  For example highlight everything mentioned in the article that we may have discussed in class, or was covered in your textbook.  If it does not relate to class at all, consider finding another article.

7.    This assignment is worth 20 points.

8.  This assignment is due:  December 6, 2011

Political Cartoon Assignment

U.S. Government

     Select 5 recent political cartoons from the editorial page of a newspaper, magazine, or the Internet.  Either photocopy, print, or cut the cartoon out and identify the following:

A.     cartoonist

B.     date

C.     site where you found the cartoon

Answer each of the following questions for each cartoon:

1.     Who do the characters represent?

2.        Identify the symbols and explain what each represents?

3.        Explain the labels and caption.

4.         With what issue does the cartoon deal and what is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?

This assignment is worth 20 points and is due:  December 13, 2011

  Examinations and quizzes

q       An examination will conclude each of the major units of study.

q       The course will conclude with a final exam.  Any student that has received an A for each quarter will be exempt from taking the final.

Grading Policy

q       All grades will be based on a point system.

q       All grades are cumulative.

q       Tests and quizzes must be made up immediately upon returning to school.  Students are responsible for arranging the time and site for make-ups with the teacher.

q       Late work will be penalized 10% per day.  

                    You must pass this class in order to graduate!

Grading Scale:

93-100%=A

85-92%=B

77-84%=C

69-75%=D

68-00%=F

 Check Your Grade:

http://www.iasdpowerschool.cc//

Register to Vote!

http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt/community/home/13514

Homework Help V.P. Worksheet

http://www.senate.gov./artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Vice_President.htm

Foundations of Government:

"To be free one must be chained."	Who said:  "We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
How many delegates signed the Declaration?	Primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Supreme law of the land?	How many grievances were listed in the Declaration against the king?   Name a few of them.
How many branches of government were created?	Timeline on the Declaration of Independence
A change or addition to the Constitution?	Where does the government get it's power?
Our country's first constitution?	Name for the first 10 amendments?

What's on the back of the Declaration of Independence?

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html

Review for the Declaration of Independence

http://classtools.net/widgets/quiz_6/pymHC.htm

Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution:

The following chart compares some of the provisions of the Articles of Confederation with those in the Constitution. It's important to note that most commentators see the Articles period (1781-1789) as a weak one in terms of governmental power. Whether that is a positive or negative for the United States depends on one's point of view regarding the size and influence of a national government. Libertarians would view the Articles period as the pinnacle of American freedom, while those favoring a strong central government would see it as a failure.
 

Please cite this source when appropriate:

Feldmeth, Greg D. "U.S. History Resources"
http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeldmeth/USHistory.html (31 March 1998).

Follow this link to information to help you with your Congress Video Guide:

http://www.congresslink.org/print_expert_casefordemo.htm

Supreme Court Video Guide:

Notes for Indiana Borough can be found here:

http://classtools.net/widgets/target_6/olwS9.htm

Extra Credit Essay Contest:

http://www.firstfreedom.org

www.jfklibrary.org

Presidential Review Game:  

http://classtools.net/widgets/quiz_6/91tuT.htm

Congress Review Game:

http://classtools.net/widgets/quiz_6/0BW3J.htm

LINKS