Tanque Verde High School
2016-2017
AP US Government and Politics
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government (August 5, 2016-September 9, 2016)
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 First Day of School!!!!
Learning Objective: Explain the course layout and expectations.
Due in Class: Constitution Scrapbook [20 points]
Due Online: Constitution Essay [20 points] Signer Book Report [20 points] on turnitin.com
Activity: Go through syllabus, ask questions.
Homework: Get syllabus signed (Due Friday, August 5)
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Learning Objective: Determine your current level of knowledge.
Due in Class: pencil with eraser
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Pre/Post-Test
Homework: Read Pages 3-8 in Wilson before Friday, August 5; Ch 1 Study Guide {due Monday, August 15-5 extra points}
Friday, August 5, 2016
Learning Objective: Identify the key functions of the government and explain why they matter.
Due in Class: Syllabus Signature Sheet [5 points]
Due Online: summer current event posts and responses [25 points total] on Edmodo
Activity: Reading Quiz on pages 3-8 [5 points]; Lecture: Purposes and Theories of Govt.
Homework: Read Pages 9-15 in Wilson before Monday, August 8
Week 1
Monday, August 8, 2016
Learning Objective: Define politics in the context of democratic government.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on pages 9-15 [5 points]; Discussion: Art and Science?; In-Class-Reading: Annotate From Democracy in American by Tocqueville
Homework: Read Dinner with Democracy before Tuesday, August 9; Post Current Event #1 on Edmodo by Saturday, August 13
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Learning Objective: Identify the key principles of democracy and outline theories regarding how it works in practice and the challenges democracy faces today.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on Dinner with Democracy [5 points]; Story: A Bear in the Woods; PowerPoint: Locke and Hobbes; Notes and Practice: How to answer AP Gov free response ?s; L to J Quiz
Homework: Read The Declaration of Independence (p.A1-A3 in Wilson) and Locke before Friday, August 12
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Learning Objective: Describe the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and the core ideas they shared.
Due in Class: Presentation on Signers of the Constitution [15 points]
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Presentations
Homework: Read The Declaration of Independence (p.A1-A3 in Wilson) and Locke before Friday, August 12
Friday, August 12, 2016
Learning Objective: Describe the ideas behind the American Revolution and their role in shaping the Constitution.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: Post Current Event #1 on Edmodo by Saturday, August 13 [5 points]
Activity: Discussion: Is The Bear in Locke? (other influences)
Homework: Read Pages 17-22 in Wilson before Monday, August 15; Ch 2 Study Guide {due Tuesday, August 23-5 extra points}
Week 2
Monday, August 15, 2016
Learning Objective: Analyze how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to its failure.
Due in Class: Ch 1 Study Guide {5 extra points}
Due Online: Respond to at least 2 classmate posts on Edmodo by Saturday, August 20 [5 points]
Activity: Reading Quiz on pages 17-22 [5 points]; Lecture: Articles of Confederation; L to J Quiz
Homework: Read Pages 22-27 in Wilson before Tuesday, August 16
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Learning Objective: Categorize the issues at the Constitutional Convention and outline the resolutions reached on each type of issue.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on pages 22-27 [5 points]; Video: A More Perfect Union with response questions due Friday, August19
Homework: Read Pages 27-35 in Wilson before Thursday, August 18
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Learning Objective: Analyze how the components of the Madisonian system addresses the dilemma of reconciling majority rule with protection of minority interests.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on pages 27-35 [5 points]; Video: A More Perfect Union with response questions due Friday, August19
Homework: Read Pages 35-40 in Wilson before Friday, August 19
Friday, August 19, 2016
Learning Objective: Outline the Constitutional basis for division of power between national and state governments, the establishment of national supremacy and states’ obligations to each other.
Due in Class: A More Perfect Union response questions [10 points]
Due Online: Respond to at least 2 classmate posts on Edmodo by Saturday, August 20 [5 points]
Activity: Reading Quiz on pages 35-40 [5 points]; Video: A More Perfect Union with response questions due Friday, August19; Checks and Balances-Who has the power? Cards (supremacy-McCulloch v. Maryland)
Homework: Read Pages 40-47 in Wilson before Monday, August 22
Week 3
Monday, August 22, 2016
Learning Objective: Explain how the Constitution can be formally amended and how it changes informally.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: Post Current Event #2 on Edmodo by Saturday, August 27 [5 points]
Activity: Reading Quiz on pages 40-47 [5 points]; Debate: page 44 and current amendment
Homework: Read The Federalist No.10 & No.51 in Wilson on pages A21-A25 and A26-A29 before Tuesday, August 23
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Learning Objective: Compare and Contrast Federalists and Antifederalists in terms of their background and their positions regarding government.
Due in Class: Ch 2 Study Guide {5 extra points}
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on The Federalist No.10 & No.51 [5 points]; Essay Practice and scoring, Team Debate: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Homework: Read Pages 49-54 in Wilson before Thursday, August 25, Ch 3 Study Guide {due Thursday, September 1-5 extra points}
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Learning Objective: Define federalism and contrast it with alternative ways of organizing a nation.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on 49-54 [5 points]; Short Skits: Forms of government; In-Class-Reading: Annotate From American Federalism by Elazar
Homework: Read Pages 54-59 in Wilson before Friday, August 26
Friday, August 26, 2016
Learning Objective: Outline the central arguments of the debate in America over the proper scope of government.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: Post Current Event #2 on Edmodo by Saturday, August 27 [5 points]
Activity: Reading Quiz on 54-59 [5 points]; Debate: proper scope of government (marijuana, common core); L to J Quiz
Homework: Read Pages 60-66 in Wilson before Monday, August 29
Week 4
Monday, August 29, 2016
Learning Objective: Characterize the shift from dual to cooperative federalism and the role of fiscal federalism in intergovernmental relations today.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: Respond to at least 2 classmate posts on Edmodo by Saturday, September 3 [5 points]
Activity: Reading Quiz on 60-66 [5 points]; Case Study?
Homework: Read Pages 66-74 in Wilson before Tuesday, August 30
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Learning Objective: Explain the consequences of federalism for diversity of public policies among the states.
Due in Class: Ch 3 Study Guide {5 extra points}
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on 66-74 [5 points]; Lecture: State Diversity in laws; In-Class-Reading: Annotate Federalism in Education p.15-24 in Wasserman (need Post-Its); Plan Constitution Day; L to J Quiz
Homework: Read Pages 76-84 in Wilson before Thursday, September 1
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Learning Objective: Assess whether the Constitution establishes a majoritarian democracy and how it limits the scope of government.
Due in Class: Ch 3 Study Guide {5 extra points}
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Reading Quiz on 76-84 [5 points];
Homework: Read Pages 84-91 in Wilson before Friday, September 2; Ch 4 Study Guide {due Tuesday, September 6-5 extra points}
Friday, September 2, 2016
Learning Objective: Assess the impact of federalism on democratic government and the scope of government.
Due in Class: nothing
Due Online: Respond to at least 2 classmate posts on Edmodo by Saturday, September 3 [5 points]
Activity: Reading Quiz on 84-91 [5 points];
Homework: Read Pages 91-96 in Wilson before Tuesday, September 6
Week 5
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Learning Objective: Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people.
Due in Class: Ch 4 Study Guide {5 extra points}
Due Online: Post Current Event #3 on Edmodo by Saturday, September 10 [5 points]
Activity: Reading Quiz on 91-96 [5 points]; Case Study: Voting results and impacts; Lecture what determines political opinions and how people vote; Exam prep
Homework: Study for Unit 1 Exam
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Learning Objective: Summative Assessment of Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government.
Due in Class: pencil and eraser
Due Online: nothing
Activity: Exam
Homework: Study for Unit 1 Exam
Friday, September 9, 2016
Learning Objective: Summative Assessment of Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government.
Due in Class: colored pens
Due Online: Post Current Event #3 on Edmodo by Saturday, September 10 [5 points]
Activity: Exam Return, corrections, free response scoring
Homework: Read You Can’t’ Say That! by Bernstein before Monday, September 12
TVHS 2016-2017 AP US Government and Politics Unit 1