United States Government

United States Government



All students should have the course syllabus below viewed by and signed by a parent or guardian.
     Classroom Policies and Procedures.doc

You can find the Government textbook by clicking here Government Textbook
 
In order to view the files below, remember to log in to your school email account (studentname@wbsdweb.com).  You will not be able to gain access to most of the links below without being logged in.

Unit 1: Foundations of American Government

Essential Questions

  1. What are the basic purposes and functions of government?

  2. How were the influences on the American revolutionaries responsible for the government that was formed in the USA?

  3. How do the different aspects of the US Constitution represent core American values?

  4. How does the overall power of the national government compare to that of the states?

      Unit 1 Vocabulary
      Unit 1 Study Guide
      Introduction to Government and Politics Crash Course Video
      Introduction to American Government Notes
      Types of Democracies FBI Notes (Ch 1, Sec 3)
      Historical Background of the United States Government Notes
              For extra help on explaining the Enlightenment, click here to watch a short
              video
      Declaration of Independence original text
              Explanation of some key elements in the DoI
              Declaration of Independence "plain English translation"
              Reading of the Declaration video
      Articles of Confederation and Constitution Video (Crash Course)
      Constitution Worksheet
            Online Link to the Constitution
      Federalism Notes

Unit 2: The Three Branches of Government

Essential Questions

  1. What makes the legislative branch the heart and soul of the US government?

  2. How does the President hold so much authority in the US government if he is only one man?

  3. How have the federal courts gained a larger role in the US government than might have been intended in the original writing of the constitution?

  4. Why do constituents, political parties, interest groups, and the media have so much influence over the US government?

      Unit 2 Vocabulary
      Unit 2 Study Guide
         Legislative Branch
      Article Review Questions
      Congress Article- "Joe Manchin: The Outlier"
      Legislative Branch Notes
         Congressional Leadership Crash Course Video
      We the People Chapter: Functions of the Legislative Branch
            Functions of the Legislative Branch Notes and Reading Questions
      How a Bill Becomes a Law Video
      Faces of Congress Notes
      Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Movie
         Executive Branch
      Presidential Power Crash Course Video
      Presidents Project
              Presidents Project Example: George Washington
       Roles and Styles of Presidential Leadership Notes
      The Cabinet Notes
      We the People Chapter: The Bureaucracy
           The Bureaucracy Reading Questions
        Judicial Branch
      Landmark Supreme Court Cases Chart
      Supreme Court Structure and Process Notes + Comic Strip Assignment
         Influences on the Three Branches
      Influences on Government Notes
      Media Bias Notes
      Detecting Media Bias Article
       Analyzing Media Bias Exercise: Daily Show Report       
      We the People Chapter: Political Parties
           Political Parties Reading Questions
      Lobbying & Pharmaceuticals Video
      Lobbying Article (complete article review worksheet above with article)
      Interplay Between the Branches: Checks and Balances graph and questions
      Checks and Balances Crash Course Video
      Review: Create, share, and complete a crossword puzzle using Unit 2 Vocab
           Click here for a link to the online crossword puzzle creator.

Unit 3: Responsibilities and Benefits of Citizenship

Essential Questions

  1. How is being a citizen of a well-functioning democracy different than being a citizen in other forms of government?

  2. What are the responsibilities of citizenship in the USA?

  3. What are the benefits of citizenship in the USA?

     Unit 3 Vocabulary
     Unit 3 Study Guide
       Citizenship
     We the People Chapter: What is Citizenship?
          Citizenship Reading Questions
     Citizenship LA Times Article
     Citizenship Test
       Barriers to Citizenship
     Civil War Crash Course Video (Causes, Events, North/South Comparison)
     Emancipation Proclamation
     Spielberg's Lincoln: Video Worksheet
          For help with Lincoln movie cast, click here
          For more specific directions on the Lincoln extended response, click here
       Civil War Crash Course Video Part 2 (Implications, Effects, Laws, Amendments)
       13th-15th Amendments Discussion and Questions
              14.3 FBI Notes
         Voting
       Restriction and Expansion of Voting Rights Worksheet (17.2)
            Voting Rights Video
       Voting Process Brochure (Voters Handbook)
       Elections and Campaigns Notes
       Why Young People Don't Vote Article
       Influences on Voters Notes
       Campaign Advertisements-Living Room Candidate Website
       Political Leanings Quiz
               Reflection Questions for Quiz
          Rights of Citizenship
       Constitutional Rights and Essential Freedoms Reading Assignment (Chapter 13)
                Constitutional Rights Graphic Organizer

Unit 4: Domestic Policy and Politics

Essential Questions

1. How does the government spend the taxes you pay, and how do government expenditures affect the economy?

2.  How does politics affect social and domestic policies affect your economic choices, your education, and even the air your breathe?

3. What are the main functions of local governments and what are their greatest challenges today?

           Public Policy and Budgets
        Public Policy and Budget Notes
        Budget Activity
        Follow the link here for more information on discretionary vs. mandatory spending.
        Federal Mandatory Spending and Budgets Notes and Activity
              "Entitlements" Articles for Activity
              New York Times "Entitlements" Article
        Capitalism, Socialism, and Business Policy Notes
            Public Policy Project
         Project Directions
         Article Graphic Organizer