Homework and In Class Assignments for American Government

The third unit reexamines the creation of the first two articles of the U.S. Constitution which developed our government system. This will be the longest unit of the term which will delve into the workings, differences, and role of the U.S. Congress, the role of the Presidency and the Executive Branch, and the bureaucracy laws create and president's oversee. We will examine the president's relationship to the other branches of the federal government, and the Executive Branch. The first part of the unit will be a continuation of our presidential simulation of the process of electing a president. The simulation in the second part of the unit will be an examination of the bill development and passage process with the Senate Simulation

1.) Lectures/Discussions: On the history and development, and aspects of the nature of the presidency, Misconduct in the White House(time permitting), the qualities that make a strong Chief Executive and its clashes between parts of the government. We will also cover presidential decision making processes,foreign policy, and continue to analyze executive authority.

2.) Debates: What makes a good President (5 qualities How Seat), the) & Is the President Too Powerful?

3.) Reading: Teacher handouts and sections of Chapters 13-15 of Magruder's American Government

4.) Student Led Presentations - Cabinet Simulation

5.) Videos: The Secret Service, Inside the White house, Sections from 60 Minutes, and clips from the West Wing

Date	In Class Activity	HW & Long Term Assignments
Thu 4/5	Presidential Simulation: Day #1: Set up, initial campaigning Start Executive Branch Lecture: Presidential Hats	Start prepping for simulation: Campaigns Check out this website to get some starting ideas for the campaign. It would be really smart to produce your first commercial this break. CRs should create their state placards Financial Manager and FEC must print multiple copies of this form and bring it to class.
Mon 4/16	Continue Executive Branch Lecture: Role of the president and his growing power Finish simulation day #1: Campaign visits and schedules completed	Interactively read your current events packet Be prepared for Day #2 of the simulation on Monday. 1/2 Media should have a video prepared and the other should have a written (one page) newspaper report or blog, Work on Simulation: CRs please feel free to use this format for your journals if you are having trouble with them. You should should have journals with poll changes.. Print out and bring to class the video worksheet for tomorrow's class 40 Years of Presidential Debates. AP :Read and do the Ranking the Presidents Good or Bad packet questions.
Wed 4/18	Presidential Simulation: Day #2: Start 48 Years of Presidential Debates	Be prepared for Day #3 of the simulation. 1/2 Media should have a video prepared and the other should have a written (one page) newspaper report or blog, CRs should have journals with poll changes and explanation of their PAC complete, and campaigns should be prepared where to travel and have media and fundraisers ready. CRs please feel free to use this format for your journals if you are having trouble with them Check out this website to get some starting ideas for the campaign AP : Read and do the Secrets of Great Presidents.
Fri 4/20	Presidential Simulation: Day #3 Continue 48 Years of Presidential Debates	Work on Simulation: CRs please feel free to use this format for your journals if you are having trouble with them. Also, you should come with at least one typed question for the Presidential Debate. Perhaps one question on an issue your state finds important? Presidents prepare for the debate. Know your stuff. There will be an opening statement (1 minute) and then we will move to a town hall format. VPs you will have the end of class to campaign in two states of your choice and there will be time for national ads. Extra Credit Films for this unit (only one per unit): Bob Roberts, Wag the Dog, Dave, The Candidate, Primary Colors, or The War Room
Tues 4/24	Senior Projects Due	Work on Simulation: CRs please feel free to use this format for your journals if you are having trouble with them. Also, you should come with at least two typed questions for the Presidential Debate. Perhaps one question on an issue your state finds important? Presidents prepare for the debate. Know your stuff. There will be an opening statement (1 minute) and then we will move to a town hall format. VPs you will have the end of class to campaign in two states of your choice and there will be time for national ads. Extra Credit Films for this unit (only one per unit): Bob Roberts, Wag the Dog, Dave, The Candidate, Primary Colors, or The War Room APBR> AP: Read and prepare for one side of the Imperial Presidency Debate
Thu 4/26	Presidential Simulation Day #4: Presidential Debate: Town hall Format 45min Finish 48 Years of Presidential Debates Time Permitting - Continue Lecture: The Executive Branch & the Presidency	Print out and interactively read the start of the Bush-Gore Debate Sheet. Do not do the questions but bring it to class. Print out and bring to class the Presidency Lecture Work on Simulation: VPs prepare for the debate. Know your stuff. There will be an opening statement (1 minute) and ten questions (1 minute response with 30 second rebuttal) Media come prepared to run the debate, and film it. Presidents you will have the end of class to campaign in two states of your choice and there will be time for state ADs only (no national ads). Extra Credit Films for this unit: Bob Roberts, Wag the Dog, Dave, The Candidate, Primary Colors & The War Room. AP Interactively read and summarize Presidential Dictatorship? When you have completed it agree or disagree with its assessment and say why.
Mon 4/30	Class Discussion/Mini-Debate: Is the Presidency too powerful in America?Traits of a good president Presidential Simulation Day #5: VP Mini Debate Continue Lecture: The Presidency and the Executive Branch	CRs be ready with updated polls. Campaigns: Make sure you are in a media blitz and highlighting the key states. Media: CRs: You must have your final polls prepared for class for Day 6. State by state tallies, %s, and national poll have to be in or you will get an F on the simulation Download and print out the West Wing video guide. AP: Interactively read Presidential Power 1-3 for our continued discussion on the: Power of the Presidency You do not have to do the essay but you DO have to write a page of bullet points for each side of the debate. Make sure you pick up a review guide for the AP exam in my classroom.
Wed 5/2	Bureaucracy and the Making of Public Policy Lecture	CR's Make sure your polls are ready for day 6 (we will have an opportunity to switch them after the final campaigning though). Campaigns: Finish your campaigning and spend - there should be a blitz of commercials, Again spendallof your money. You will be able to campaign in one state before you return to your home state to vote.. If you have completed another commercial please put it on the facebook group immediately. AP Print out and do the Styles of Organization Worksheet.
Fri 5/4	Presidential Simulation Day #6: :Mock Election and Ads West Wing	Make sure you do the review:The Executive Branch/Presidency before the quest.
Tues 5/8	Continue Public Policy	Make sure you do the review:The Executive Branch/Presidency before the quest. Here is the study guide for the other part of the test. Complete the final question on the West Wing Video Guide and turn in the guide on Monday. AP: Print out, and start thinking about the PSA Directions & Rubric for your cabinet simulation. You will have a couple of FRQ's (Free Response Questions) on your test. Read this document to prepare for that section of the test.
Thurs 5/10	Government Films	Prepare for last unit test: Executive Branch and Public Policy Print out and have your parents sign the field trip permission slip
Mon 5/14	JA Lecture Personal Finance	Print out, read the introduction and do the first question, and bring to the film on Wednesday the RBG Study Guide
Wed 5/16	Class field trip to RBG	Complete the RBG Study Guide Print out and bring to class your home management assignment. Bring your government textbooks to class to be collected Go to the last website