ALDINE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS
SECOND NINE WEEKS 2013-2014
Ms. Jo McAuley
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
SUCCESS IS THE ONLY OPTION
US GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS 2013-2014
Course Description:
A survey of national, state, and local government, including such topics as the U.S. and Texas Constitutions;
democratic theory; federalism; political culture, political socialization, and public opinion; political parties and
interest groups; press; and local government. These phenomena are examined at the national, state, and local levels
with an emphasis placed on linkages with the formulation of public policy.
COURSE GOALS/LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are several course goals and/or learning outcomes for this course:
-To learn the basic vocabulary and concepts of our United States Government so that you can understand and
be an active citizen in our democracy..
-To improve your oral, written and listening communication skills
-To develop your ability to think conceptually and analytically about political issues facing our country.
-To enhance your interest in politics and government.
Second Nine Weeks
Unit 5: Legislative Branch
October 25-28—Legislative Branch Lesson 1:
Warm Up
Vocabulary Activity
Presentation of Material—Capitol Hill, why bicameral, roles of members of Congress, leadership roles
Group Activity
Closure
October 29-30—Legislative Branch Lesson 2:
Warm Up
Presentation of Material—membership requirements, gerrymandering, & unique powers Houses
Reading & Writing for Learning
Closure
October 31-November 1—Legislative Branch Lesson 3:
Warm Up
Group Activity
Review of Material—federal election cycle, who wins elections, & pork barrel legislation
Vocabulary Review
Closure
November 4-5—Legislative Branch Lesson 4:
Warm Up
Computer Lab Research of a Senator or Representative from Texas Major Grade
November 6-7—Legislative Branch Lesson 5:
Senator/Representative Research Project
November 8-11—Legislative Branch Lesson 6: Test Review
November 12-13— Legislative Branch Test Major Grade
Unit 6:
Executive Branch
November 14-15—Executive Branch Lesson 1:
Warm Up
Vocabulary Activity
Presentation of Material—President’s job description & the bureaucracy
Reading & Writing to Learn
Closure
November 18-19—Executive Branch Lesson 2:
Warm Up
Computer Lab Project: Research a Cabinet Department and related agencies
November 20-21—Executive Branch Lesson 3: Project completion
November 22—Executive Branch Lesson 4
Warm Up
Presentation of Material-Requirements to be president, term of office compensation, succession
Reading and Writing to Learn
Closure
November 25-29 Thanksgiving Break
December 2—Executive Branch Lesson 4:
Warm Up
Group Work-Requirements to be president, term of office, compensation, succession
Reading and Writing to Learn
Closure
December 3-4—Executive Branch Lesson 5:
Warm Up
Presentation of Material—Electoral College
Group Work—Bureaucracy, civil service
Closure
December 5-6—Executive Branch Lesson 6
Warm Up
Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Group Work-Road to the White House
Reading and Writing to Learn-National Defense
Closure
December 9-10 Executive Branch Test Review
December 11-12 Executive Branch Test Major Grade
December 13-16 Judicial Branch Lesson 1
Warm Up
Vocabulary Activity
Presentation of Material—Jurisdiction
Reading and Writing to Learn
Closure
December 17-18 Judicial Branch Lesson 2
Warm Up
Presentation of Material—Marbury v. Madison/ Civil Liberties, Civil Rights
Group Activity—Court Case Review
Closure
December 19-20 Judicial Branch Lesson 3
Assessment Major Grade
December 23-January 3 Winter Break
January 6-7—Compare branches of government
Writing for Learning
January 9-10 Final Exam Review
January 13-16 Final Exams
January 17—Student Holiday and END OF SEMESTER
January 20 Martin Luther King Holiday
Classroom Expectations
Students will comply with all district policies including, but not limited to, cell phone/electronics use, dress code, arrival,
and behavior. Students know the policies and no warnings will be given. Good attendance is necessary for success in
class. Excessive absences are considered to be improper behavior. In addition, sleeping in class is not allowed at any
time. A parent or guardian will be notified when the first infraction occurs. Thereafter, the student will be reported to
their assistant principal. Additional expectations include:
 STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BRING A SPIRAL AND SOMETHING TO WRITE WITH TO CLASS EVERYDAY.
 Pencils should be sharpened before class so as not to interrupt the lesson.
 Unless I move you, always sit in your assigned seat.
 Class begins the moment you walk into the room, not when the bell rings.
 Begin working immediately. Check the board or PowerPoint for assignments.
 SAC: It is your responsibility to ASK if Ms. McAuley sent down work. Hint: I ALWAYS SEND WORK AND DO NOT
WAIT TO SEE IF ANYONE IS THERE. You are responsible for it. You will get a “0” for the daily grade if you don’t
turn it in. I e-mail the work so ASK FOR IT. IT WON’T HAVE YOUR NAME ON IT. ASK.
 Respectful will be shown to everyone in the classroom at all times. Use school appropriate language, do not
damage the property of others, and act safely and responsibly at all times.
 NO EATING IN CLASS.
 TREAT THE TEXTBOOKS WITH RESPECT. Do not write in them or otherwise damage the books.
 COME PREPARED EVERYDAY WITH PAPER AND A WRITING UTENSIL. I DO NOT PROVIDE THEM.
 DO NOT COPY FROM THE BOOK OR FROM THE INTERNET. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S
WORK.