Download American Government Curriculum Map

Grade 12: American Government Curriculum Map
SUBJECT: Unit 1 Foundations of American Government
PACING
Week 1-2
ESSENTIAL
QUESTION
-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?
CONTENT
(Chapter/Unit/Description/
Activities)
Unit 1:
Defining Government & its
origins
Chapter 1
-Define Government
 Characteristics of a
state
 Population
 Territory
 Sovereignty
 Government
-Theories of Government
 Evolutionary
 Divine right
 Force
 Social contract
- Structures of Government
 Unitary
 Federal
 Confederate
-Types of Government
 Democracy vs.
Dictatorship
 Types of DemocracyDirect or Indirect
 Types of dictatorshipOligarchy or Autocracy
-Paradox of Democracy
 Constitutionalism
SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes)
ACOS 12.1 Explain historical
and philosophical origins that
shaped the government of the
United States, including the
Magna Carta, the Petition of
Rights, the English Bill of
Rights, the Mayflower
Compact, the Virginia
Declaration of Rights, and the
influence of Thomas Hobbes,
John Locke, Charles de
Montesquieu, Jean-Jaques
Rousseau, and the Great
Awakening.
Grade 12
MATERIALS/
RESOURCES
ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)

Discuss the
characteristics of
government.

Identify the types
of government?
Democracy
schools activity

Who’s the boss
activity
Compare the types
of Democracies

Breakdown
Paradox of
Democracy &
identify the
Solution
chapter 1 & 2
Magruder’s
American
Government, 2005
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
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”?
Weeks 5-6
What are the six
underlying
principles of the
Constitution and
how are they
reflected in the
government
structure it created?
Unit 1:
Foundations of American
Government
Chapter 2
-Forming early government in
the Americas
 From colonies to
Confederacy
-Problems with the Articles of
Confederation
 Constitution out of
Compromise
-Virginia Plan Vs. New Jersey
plan.
- Connecticut compromise
 Equal representation
 vs. proportional
representation
3/5 compromise & population
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
Compare and contrast the
Virginia plan with the new
Jersey plan?
Summarize problems of the
articles of confederations
The American
Constitution
Explain how the New
United States constitution
addressed these problems
Summative Assessment
Unit 1 Test
-Connect each plan to the
House of Congress that it
became.
Discuss the necessity of
compromise
SUBJECT: Unit 2: The Constitution, Amendments and Federalism Grade 12
Unit 2: organization of a new
ACOS 12.3 Analyze major
Chapters 3 and 4
constitution and a
features of the Constitution of
Magruder’s
Chapters 3
the United States and the Bill of American
Rights for purposes,
Government, 2005
-The 6 Principals of the
organization, functions, and
Constitution (the preamble)
principles, including rule of
law, federalism, limited
 Popular Sovereignty
government, popular
 Limited Government
sovereignty, judicial review,
American’s Legacy
 Separation of powers
separation
of
powers,
and
The foundation of
 Checks & Balances
Examine the context of the
preamble.
Outline the 6 principals of
the constitution
Describe the process to
change the constitutio
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?
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?
 Judicial Review
 Federalism
-Articles and Branches of
Government
--Article V
 The amendment
process
checks and balances.
Compare the 27
amendments to the
constitution
Amendment activity
packet
Exerpts and quotes
from federalist
papers
-To ratify or not to ratify?
 It wasn’t perfect yet
-Federalist vs the anti-federalist
 Bill of Rights
Unit 2:
A Federal System of
Government
Chapter 4
-Creating Federalism
-Types of Powers
 Delegated powers
 Implied Powers
 Concurrent Powers
 Reserved powers
-National Supremacy
-Drawbacks of Federalism
 Double Taxation
-System of Grants
 General Revenue
Sharing
 Block Grant
 Categorical
Mandates Funded
 Unfunded
Freedom
The American
Constitution
The preamble
Quotes from James
Madison and
Thomas Jefferson
ACOS 12.4 Explain how the
federal system of the United
States divides powers between
national and state governments.
American’s Legacy
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
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?
CONTENT
(Chapter/Unit/Description/
Activities)
Unit 3:
Political Parties- chapter 5
-Political Parties
 Collectivize public
opinion
- Political ideologies
 Political Socialization
-Political spectrum
 Liberal
 Conservative
 Populist
 Libertarian
-Party systems
 Single party
 Multiparty
 Two party
-Third parties
 Splinter
 Ideological
 Economic protest
 Single- Issue
-Major Independence in U.S.
History
-Formal restrictions
- Electoral system
- Plurality representation
- 15% rule
SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes)
ACOS 12.10 Evaluate roles
political parties play in the
functioning of the political
system of the United States.
MATERIALS/
RESOURCES
ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)
Magruder’s
American
Government, 2005
Identify personal political
ideologies and then chart
where they land on the
political spectrum.
American’s Legacy
The foundation of
Freedom
The American
Constitution
Power point
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: Single
party, Multiparty and Two
party
Weeks
8-9
What measures have
been used to extend
voting rights in the
United States?
Unit 3:
Voting Behavior and the
Electorate-Chapter 6
- election
• Function
• Process
• Institution
What are the
universal
qualifications for
voting?
-Expansion of the electorate
over time
• Amendments
15,19,23,26
• Suffrage Qualifications
What are the
problems if
American to do not
participate in the
political process?
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, 9
Weeks
What are the
Unit 4
10-11
qualifications to
Elections- chapter 7
become a
The electoral process
governmental
Qualifications for office
candidate?
- Political
Entrepreneurship
Why does the United
- Communication skills
states use a system of
- Incumbency advantage
electors to elect the
Campaign funding
president ?
- Soft money
- FEC
How are candidates
Primary strategies
financed?
-Front end
- big state
What type of state
generally determines a System of electors.
presidential election?
Constitutional theory
Weeks
What role does the
Unit 4 Media
11-12
media have on the
Chapter 8
election process?
Different mediums of media
 party press, penny
press, print media,
Does media bias play a
yellow journalism,
role in the polarization
radio, television, and
of parties?
electronic media
• Attack journalism
How much should the media
report
- the pit bull or the
watchdog
Grade 12
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)
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
Election time
line cartoon
Identify the requirements to be a
government all candidate?
Reading on
proportional
representation
Data on
incumbents
reelection
Article on the
ability to
reform the
electoral
college
Compare and contrast the different
types of states that play a major role
in the electoral college.
Apply constitutional theory of
Government.
Negative ad
cartoon
Identify the different mediums used
to the media industry.
What is news
activity
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?
Unit 4
Chapter 9 Interest groups
• interest groups
How do interest groups
restrict or improve the
election system?
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 branches
PACING
Weeks
13-14
ESSENTIAL
QUESTION
How does Congress
function and interact
with the other branches
of government?
CONTENT
(Chapter/Unit/Description/Activ
ities)
Unit 4: The Legislative Branch
Bi-cameral congress
-The House
- size and term
How are the Senate and
the House of
Representatives
organized?
Apportionment and
reapportionment
- Gerrymandering
- The reapportionment act
What are the steps in the
of 1929
lawmaking process and
The Senate
what barriers exist in this
- Size and term
process?
- Equal representation
Checks and Balances
Grade 12
SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes)
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.
MATERIALS/
RESOURCES
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
ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)
Compare and contrast
the powers of the senate
with the house of
representatives.
Explain the benefits and
history behind a bicameral congress
Outline the process a
bill takes to finally
become a law.
The gerrymandering
Game
How a bill becomes a law
Weeks
15-16
How does the President
and the executive branch
function and interact
with the other branches
of government.
Impeachment
Unit 4: The Executive Branch
The 8 roles of the president
Presidential term/ pay
What are the roles and
powers (expressed and
implied) of the
President?
Presidential succession
How is the Executive
Branch structured and
what functions does it
fulfill?
Presidential cabinet
Executive power
-power to declare war?
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 Twentyfifth Amendment.
Impeachment work
sheet
Chapters 13 and 14
Magruder’s American
Government, 2005
Identify the role of the
presidential Cabinet and
staff
American’s Legacy
The foundation of
Freedom
Describe the different
roles of the presidential
office
The American
Constitution
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 Citizenship
PACING
Weeks
16-18
ESSENTIAL
QUESTION
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
Grade 12
CONTENT
(Chapter/Unit/Description/
Activities)
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
SKILLS
(Standards/Learning
outcomes)
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.
MATERIALS/
RESOURCES
ASSESSMENT
(Objective/Subjective)
Chapters 18, 19, 20 and
21
Summative Assessment
Unit 6 Test
Magruders American
Government, 2005
Explaining the structure
and jurisdiction of court
systems of the United
States, including lower
courts and appellate
courts
Case packet for Dc vs
Heller
American’s Legacy
The foundation of
Freedom
The American
Constitution
Identifying the impact
of landmark Marbury
versus Madison on the
united states supreme
court
Explain the importance
of fulfilling civic
responsibilities