Grade 12: American Government Curriculum Map
SUBJECT: Unit 1 Foundations of American GovernmentGrade 12
PACING / ESSENTIAL QUESTION / CONTENT(Chapter/Unit/Description/ Activities) / SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes) / MATERIALS/
RESOURCES / ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)
Week 1-2 / -What is the purpose and origins of government?
Why is government necessary?
- What options does a country have when structuring a government?
-What is the paradox of democracy? / Unit 1:
Defining Government & its origins
Chapter 1
-Define Government
- Characteristics of a state
- Population
- Territory
- Sovereignty
- Government
- Evolutionary
- Divine right
- Force
- Social contract
- Unitary
- Federal
- Confederate
- Democracy vs. Dictatorship
- Types of Democracy- Direct or Indirect
- Types of dictatorship-Oligarchy or Autocracy
- Constitutionalism
Magruder’s American Government, 2005
Democracy
schools activity
Who’s the boss activity
Excepts from the Magna Carta, petition of rights and The Declaration of Rights.
Primary source documents such as federalist paper 51
The bill of rights
The preamble /
- Discuss the characteristics of government.
- Identify the types of government?
- Compare the types of Democracies
- BreakdownParadox of Democracy identify the Solution
Week 3-4 / What was the rationale for, purpose, and function of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation?
What path did the future Americans take to independence and creation of a new government?
Why did the Americans form a new constitution so soon after drafting the articles of the confederation?
Why is the Constitution called a “bundle of compromises”? / Unit 1:
Foundations of American Government
Chapter 2
-Forming early government in the Americas
- From colonies to Confederacy
- Constitution out of Compromise
- Connecticut compromise
- Equal representation
- vs. proportional representation
-Connect each plan to the House of Congress that it became.
Discuss the necessity of compromise / ACOS 12.2 Summarize the significance of the First and Second Continental Congresses, the Declaration of Independence, Shays' Rebellion, and the Articles of Confederation of 1781 on the writing and ratification of the Constitution of the United States of 1787 and the Bill of Rights of 1791. / A Federalism political cartoon
American’s Legacy
The foundation of Freedom
The American Constitution / Compare and contrast the Virginia plan with the new Jersey plan?
Summarize problems of the articles of confederations
Explain how the New United States constitution addressed these problems
Summative Assessment
Unit 1 Test
SUBJECT: Unit 2: The Constitution, Amendments and FederalismGrade 12
Weeks 5-6 / What are the six underlying principles of the Constitution and how are they reflected in the government structure it created?How was power distributed in the new Government created under the constitution?
How does the Constitution accommodate formal and informal changes to its structure and content? / Unit 2: organization of a new constitution and a
Chapters 3
-The 6 Principals of the Constitution (the preamble)
- Popular Sovereignty
- Limited Government
- Separation of powers
- Checks & Balances
- Judicial Review
- Federalism
--Article V
- The amendment process
- It wasn’t perfect yet
- Bill of Rights
Magruder’s American Government, 2005
American’s Legacy
The foundation of Freedom
The American Constitution
The preamble
Amendment activity packet
Exerpts and quotes from federalist papers
Quotes from James Madison and Thomas Jefferson / Examine the context of the preamble.
Outline the 6 principals of the constitution
Describe the process to change the constitutio
Compare the 27 amendments to the constitution
Weeks
6-7 / How does the inclusion if the Bill of Rights Uphold Americans’ civil rights and liberties?
What how is power distributed in Federalism?
What are the drawbacks of the federal system of Government?
How could the Federal Government use grants as a source of Federal Power?
Who has the Power to run elections? / Unit 2:
A Federal System of Government
Chapter 4
-Creating Federalism
-Types of Powers
- Delegated powers
- Implied Powers
- Concurrent Powers
- Reserved powers
-Drawbacks of Federalism
- Double Taxation
- General Revenue Sharing
- Block Grant
- Categorical
- Funded
- Unfunded
The foundation of Freedom
The American Constitution / Differentiate between types of powers used in the United States and Identify who hold those powers.
Compare the different types of governmental revenue?
Identify the Drawbacks of Federalism
Debate the idea that elections are unfunded mandates.
Summative Assessment
Unit 2 Test
SUBJECT: Political Parties and Voting chapter 5 &6
PACING / ESSENTIAL QUESTION / CONTENT(Chapter/Unit/Description/
Activities) / SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes) / MATERIALS/
RESOURCES / ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)
Weeks 7-8 / What are the functions of political parties and why do they exist?
What type of party system does the United States use in Elections?
What are ways that third Parties and independents are limited through our party system? / Unit 3:
Political Parties- chapter 5
-Political Parties
- Collectivize public opinion
- Political Socialization
- Liberal
- Conservative
- Populist
- Libertarian
- Single party
- Multiparty
- Two party
- Splinter
- Ideological
- Economic protest
- Single- Issue
-Formal restrictions
-Electoral system
-Plurality representation
-15% rule / ACOS 12.10 Evaluate roles political parties play in the functioning of the political system of the United States. / Magruder’s American Government, 2005
American’s Legacy
The foundation of Freedom
The American Constitution
Power point / Identify personal political ideologies and then chart where they land on the political spectrum.
Discuss and debate the pros and cons of the two major political ideologies in our country
Create a potential Third party for the United States Political system, Classify your third party, and explain why this third party might succeed when so many have failed.
Compare and contrast the party systems: Singleparty, Multiparty and Two party
Weeks
8-9 / What measures have been used to extend voting rights in the United States?
What are the universal qualifications for voting?
What are the problems if American to do not participate in the political process? / Unit 3:
Voting Behavior and the Electorate-Chapter 6
- election
•Function
•Process
•Institution
-Expansion of the electorate over time
•Amendments 15,19,23,26
•Suffrage Qualifications
Problems of not voting
•PSA
•Who votes
•Why
•The fight for suffrage
•Civil Rights legislation
•Convince the group to vote.
Voter Behavior
•Voter turnout
•Theories to increase participation / ACOS 12.6 Analyze the expansion of suffrage for its effect on the political system of the United States, including suffrage for non-property owners, women, African Americans, and persons eighteen years of age.
ACOS 12.15 Explain the role and consequences of domestic and foreign policy decisions, including scientific and technological advancements and humanitarian, cultural, economic, and political changes. / Amendments 15,19,23,26
Article about mandatory voting laws / Explain the different functions of elections
Discuss the amendments that expanded the electorate
Create a public service announcement about the problems of not voting.
Determine voter turnout and create theories on how to improve the numbers
Summative Assessment
Mid-term test
Unit 4 Elections, Media and Interest groups Chapters 7, 8, 9Grade 12
Weeks10-11 / What are the qualifications to become a governmental candidate?
Why does the United states use a system of electors to elect the president ?
How are candidates financed?
What type of state generally determines a presidential election? / Unit 4
Elections- chapter 7
The electoral process
Qualifications for office
-Political Entrepreneurship
-Communication skills
-Incumbency advantage
Campaign funding
-Soft money
-FEC
Primarystrategies
-Front end
- big state
System of electors.
Constitutional theory / ACOS 12.7 Describe the process of local, state, and national elections, including the organization, role, and constituency of political parties. (Alabama)
ACOS 12.5 Compare specific functions, organizations, and purposes of local and state governments, including implementing fiscal and monetary policies, ensuring personal security, and regulating transportation. (Alabama) / Election time line cartoon
Reading on proportional representation
Data on incumbents reelection
Article on the ability to reform the electoral college / Identify the requirements to be a government all candidate?
Compare and contrast the different types of states that play a major role in the electoral college.
Apply constitutional theory of Government.
Weeks
11-12 / What role does the media have on the election process?
Does media bias play a role in the polarization of parties? / Unit 4 Media
Chapter 8
Different mediums of media
- party press, penny press, print media, yellow journalism, radio, television, and electronic media
How much should the media report
-the pit bull or the watchdog / ACOS 12.9 Trace the impact of the media on the political process and public opinion in the United States, including party press, penny press, print media, yellow journalism, radio, television, and electronic media / Negative ad cartoon
What is news activity / Identify the different mediums used to the media industry.
Compare and contrast attack journalism to essential news.
Discuss how much the media should dig into the personal lives of canadites.
Week 12 / How has the FEC restricted Campaign financing?
How do interest groups restrict or improve the election system? / Unit 4
Chapter 9 Interest groups
• interest groups
Types of interest groups
-examples
interest group effects on government / ACOS 12.8 Describe functions and the development of special interest groups and campaign contributions by political action committees and their impact on state and national elections. (Alabama) / Article titled the misplaced obsession with PACs
Reading on campaign finance reform / Compare and contrast interest groups and political parties
link each type of interest group with an example
Explain the impact that interest groups may have on the government.
Summative Assessment :Unit 4 Test
SUBJECT: Unit 5 Legislative and Executive branchesGrade 12
PACING / ESSENTIAL QUESTION / CONTENT(Chapter/Unit/Description/Activities) / SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes) / MATERIALS/
RESOURCES / ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)
Weeks
13-14 / How does Congress function and interact with the other branches of government?
How are the Senate and the House of Representatives organized?
What are the steps in the lawmaking process and what barriers exist in this process? / Unit 4: The Legislative Branch
Bi-cameral congress
-The House
-size and term
Apportionment and reapportionment
-Gerrymandering
-The reapportionment act of 1929
The Senate
-Size and term
-Equal representation
Checks and Balances
How a bill becomes a law
Impeachment / ACOS 12.11 Evaluate constitutional provisions of the legislative branch of the government of the United States, including checks by the legislative branch on other branches of government. / Chapters 10, 11 and 12
Magruder’s American Government, 2005
American’s Legacy
The foundation of Freedom
The American Constitution
The reapportionment act of 1929
The gerrymandering Game
Impeachment work sheet / Compare and contrast the powers of the senate with the house of representatives.
Explain the benefits and history behind a bi-cameral congress
Outline the process a bill takes to finally become a law.
Weeks
15-16 / How does the President and the executive branch function and interact with the other branches of government.
What are the roles and powers (expressed and implied) of the President?
How is the Executive Branch structured and what functions does it fulfill? / Unit 4: The Executive Branch
The 8 roles of the president
Presidential term/ pay
Presidential succession
Executive power
-power to declare war?
Presidential cabinet / ACOS 12.12 Evaluate constitutional provisions of the executive branch of the government of the United States, including checks by the executive branch on other branches of government and powers, duties as head of state and head of government, the electoral process, and the Twenty-fifth Amendment. / Chapters 13 and 14
Magruder’s American Government, 2005
American’s Legacy
The foundation of Freedom
The American Constitution / Identify the role of the presidential Cabinet and staff
Describe the different roles of the presidential office
Identify the 18 people under the 25th amendment who could potentially become the president because of presidential succession\.
Summative Assessment
Unit 5 Test
Unit 6 Judicial Branch and CitizenshipGrade 12
PACING / ESSENTIAL QUESTION / CONTENT(Chapter/Unit/Description/
Activities) / SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes) / MATERIALS/
RESOURCES / ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)
Weeks
16-18 / How are the powers of the judicial branch unique among the three branches of government?
What is the structure and function of the courts at the Federal and State levels?
What impact has the Supreme Court had in shaping the U.S. system of government and democracy?
What are the rights and the responsibilities that each of us have a U.S. Citizens / Unit 5: The Judicial Branch
The supreme court
-Current court
-The appointment process
The court systems
-D.C. vs. Heller
How does the supreme court work
Citizenship
-Rights and responsibilities
-Voting / voting
-Trial by Jury/ Jury duty / ACOS 12.13 Evaluate constitutional provisions of the judicial branch of government of the United States, including checks by the judicial branch on other branches of government, limits on judicial power, and the process by which cases are argued before the United States Supreme Court.
ACOS 12.14 Describe the role of citizens in American democracy, including the meaning, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship; due process and other rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States; and participation in the election process. / Chapters 18, 19, 20 and 21
Magruders American Government, 2005
Case packet for Dc vs Heller
American’s Legacy
The foundation of Freedom
The American Constitution / Summative Assessment
Unit 6 Test
Explaining the structure and jurisdiction of court systems of the United States, including lower courts and appellate courts
Identifying the impact of landmark Marbury versus Madison on the united states supreme court
Explain the importance of fulfilling civic responsibilities