GOVERNMENT
TEXT
American Government: Principles and Practices
Reasoning with Democratic Values, Volume 2
PREREQUISITES
12th grade standing or permission of the teacher.
OBJECTIVES
Explore, in depth, the following concepts of American government and how they impact
each citizen’s life:
• Constitutional Supremacy
• Federalism
• Judicial Review
• Separation of Power
• Limited Power
• Checks and Balances
• Individual Rights vs. Needs of the Community
SKILLS
• Develop student’s ability to effectively and efficiently take notes on both oral and
written information
• Develop student’s critical thinking skills
• Develop student’s ability to recognize, understand, and apply the concept of cause
and effect
• Develop student’s ability to distinguish between fact and opinion
• Develop student’s abilities to read for main ideas and distinguish between
significant and trivial details
• Develop student’s ability to analyze primary and secondary sources
CONTENT
Key Term
Constitutional Supremacy Unit Assignments:
• Eyes on the Prize Video Worksheet
Foundations of American Government
1. Influence of Early Civilizations
2. Influence of Political Philosophers
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3. Influence of Colonial Experience
4. Articles of Confederation
5. Constitutional Ratification
Unit Assignments:
• Power Point Lecture/Note Taking
• Selected Readings (Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, Washington,
Henry, Dickinson, and Wilson,)
• Chapter 2 Essay Exam
Key Term
Judicial Review
Unit Assignments:
• Betts v. Brady Brief
• Gideon v. Wainwright Brief
• Gideon’s Trumpet Video Worksheet
• Escobedo v. Illinois Brief
• Miranda v. Arizona Brief
First Amendment
1. Freedom of Religion
2. Freedom of Speech
3. Freedom of the Press, Assembly, and Petition
Unit Assignments:
• Freedom of Religion Worksheet
• Freedom of Speech Worksheet
• Freedom of the Press, Assembly, and Petition Worksheet
• Skokie Video Worksheet
• Near v. Minnesota Reading/Activities
• Power Point Presentation/Note Taking
• Extra Credit First Amendment Questions
• Chapter 4 Essay Exam
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Due Process of Law/Equal Protection under the Law
1. Fourth Amendment
2. Fifth Amendment
3. Sixth Amendment
4. Eighth Amendment
5. Fourteen Amendment
Unit Assignments:
• Power Point Presentation/Note Taking
• Chapter 5 Essay Exam
• Plessy v. Ferguson Worksheet
• Brown v. Board of Education
• Alabama Literacy Test
Constitutional Amendments
1. Second Amendment
2. Eighth Amendment
3. Other Amendments
Unit Assignments:
• Second Amendment Internet Research Project
• American Justice Capital Punishment Video Worksheet
• Eighth Amendment Internet Research Project
• Power Point Presentation/Note Taking
Key Term
Federalism
Unit Assignments:
• Analysis of newspaper articles
• Federalist Papers reading assignment
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Electoral Process
1. Voter Behavior
2. Political Parties
3. Elections
Unit Assignments:
• Chapter 8 Worksheet
• Chapter 10 Worksheet
• The Candidate Video Worksheet
• Power Point Presentation/Note Taking
• Directed Research Project
• Chapter 8 & 10 Essay Exam
Key Term
Checks and Balances/Separation of Power/Limited Power
Unit Assignments:
• Watergate: The Secret Story Video Worksheet
• Supreme Court Confirmation Procedure Lecture/Note Taking
Branches of Government
1. Legislative Branch
2. Executive Branch
3. Judicial Branch
Unit Assignments:
• Chapter 11 Worksheet
• Chapter 12 Worksheet
• Chapter 13 Worksheet
• Chapter 14 Worksheet
• Chapter 15 Worksheet
• Power Point Presentation/Note Taking
• Chapter 11, 13, 14, 15 Essay Examinations
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METHODS
• Lecture and note taking (Based on power point presentations for essay tests)
• Class discussion
• News articles review (Daily reviews of newspaper articles relative to
American government)
• Internet research projects (Specific research questions using the internet on
the 2nd and 8th amendment)
• Directed research project (Research project based on specific questions
regarding American third parties)
• Video worksheets (In almost all cases, these assignments are completed in
class. For students absent for the video, the video and corresponding
worksheet can be completed before or after school, during lunch, or during
the student’s Enrichment Center period)
• Chapter worksheets (Based on chapter reading. Worksheets are started in
class and finished as homework)
• Assigned readings (Chapter or supplemental reading which are the basis for
worksheets and/or class discussions)
• Essay tests:
Chapter 2 Test: Take home test.
Chapter 4 Test: In class test consisting of five essay questions.
Students are given the test questions one week prior to the test. Four
questions are randomly selected for student response the day of the
exam. A computer can be used to write answers.
Chapter 5 Test: In class short answer questions. A computer can be
used to write answers.
Chapter 8/10 Test: In class test consisting of five essay questions.
Students are given the test questions one week prior to the test. Four
questions are randomly selected for student response the day of the
exam. A computer can be used to write answers.
Chapter 11-15 Test: In class test consisting of five essay questions.
Students are given the test questions one week prior to the test. Four questions are randomly selected for
student response the day of the
exam. A computer can be used to write answers.
Textbooks/notes cannot be used on in class tests. There are no make up
tests for in class tests unless a student is absent.
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HOMEWORK
Homework consists of:
• Reading assignments (Based on chapter or supplemental reading)
• Specific written assignments (Supreme Court cases, chapter, and video
worksheets, etc.)
• Internet and directed research projects
• Test preparation
GRADING/CREDIT
All assigned work must be submitted for full credit. Assignments not deemed of
acceptable quality by the teacher, will not be accepted. Assignments submitted after the
due date will result in the lowering of grade on the assignment. In order for assignments
for students with an excused absence not to be considered late, assignments missed are
due one day after the student returns to school. Students who fall behind significantly
may be required to drop the class and take in the following term. All assignments are
graded and assigned a point value with the grade determined by the following percentage
scale:
90% - 100% A
80% - 89% B
65% - 79% C
50% - 64% D
0% - 49% F
In determining grades, assignments are weighted in the following manner:
60% Essay Tests
25% Worksheets
15% Internet and Directed Research Projects
INDIVIDUALIZATION
Students may do all essay tests as take home exams for non-college preparatory credit.
ABSENCES/TARDIES
Excessive absences or tardies will result in loss of credit/grade.
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