A.P. Government (Period 6) Assignments

1) Final reviewing for practice AP test

2) Practice test/part 1 of final exam (60 questions in 45 minutes)

3) Scored, reviewed and discussed test results

 

 

In Class (4/27):
Presentation on the Due Process Amendments: 5th, 6th and 7th

 

Presentation on the 1st Amendment - Speech and Press

 

Presentation on the 1st Amendment - Religion

 

1) Current Events Journals will be checked next week (you should have at least 8 entries)

2) Unit VI vocab quiz AND test will be on Tuesday, May 1 (material from all presentations!)

Presentation on the 8th and 9th Amendments

 

Homework:
1) Your project

2) Current Events Journals!!

Presentation on the 2nd and 4th Amendments

 

Homework:
1) Your project

2) Current Events Journals!!

1) Reviewed Unit V test

2) Introduction to Civil Liberties and Civil Rights 

 

Read 14th Amendment article and answer double-sided sheet of questions. Our class presentation and discussion next class will be based on this reading!

1) Review: How the Supreme Court arrives at decisions (handout/review of video)

2) Strict vs. loose construction of the Constitution: what are they? which is best? (review of chart - turned in)

3) Federalist #78: discussion/review (turned in questions)

4) Unit VI - overview of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights projects!

5) Groups selected and topics requested

 

1) Unit IV and V Vocab Quiz on Tuesday 3/27 (remember this includes Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy and Judicial branch)

2) Unit V test on Thursday, 3/29.

1) Quiz 5.3 (420-432)

2) Members of the Supreme Court 2018

3) Video: Chief Justice John Roberts explains the Supreme Court

 

1) Read Federalist #78 and answer set of questions

2) Complete the chart on strict and loose construction of the Constitution if you haven't already done so and be ready to discuss

3) Make a Current Events Journal entry if you haven't already done one this week!

LA Times subscription reminder: 

username: apgov

password: nielsen

1) Quiz 5.2 (pp. 403-420)

2) Federal cabinet v. agencies (handout/quick overview/discussion)

3) Overview of the Federal Court system

4) Members of the Supreme Court 2018

 

1) Read text pp. 420-432 - notes for our last reading quiz!

2) Read "How Should Judges Interpret the Constitution" and complete chart

1) Quiz 5.1 (Ch. 13)

2) Federal Bureaucracy: funny letter, handouts, notes, discussion...

 

1) Read text pp. 403-420 - notes for a quiz

2) Make a new entry in your Current Events Journal!!

1) Reviewed multiple choice section of Unit IV test

2) Scored Unit IV test FRQs

 

Read all of Ch. 13 (pp. 373-398) and take good notes for a double (10 pt.) quiz!

1) Unit IV test

2) Current Events Journal check!

 

1) Read Ch. 13 (pp. 373-401) for a double quiz on Thursday 3/15.

2) Make at least one new Current Events Journal entry before next class! 

1) Final notes on Presidential power (Imperial Presidency)

2) Key Legislation quiz

3) Scored Unit IV Article Review

4) Presidential Signing Statements: article/questions/discussion (groups)

 

1) Unit IV Test - 25 multiple choice questions and 2 FRQs (same as always!)

2) Current Events Journals will be checked!

1) Quiz 4.6 (359-370 and 553-560)

2) U.S. v. Nixon: presentation

3) President: notes and discussion

 

1) Unit IV Article Review ("The Presidency in a Separated System" by Charles O. Jones). Please remember to type and print your paper and bring it to class so it will be counted as on time. Also, please upload your paper to Turnitin.com before class on Friday.

2) Current Events Journals will be checked next week, so don't neglect them!

1) Quiz 4.5 (341-358)

2) U.S. v. Lopez - presentation

3) Catch up and discussion from previous class

4) Powers and Limitations of the President 

 

1) Read textbook pp. 359-370 and 553-560 (take notes for a reading quiz)

2) U.S. v. Nixon group ready to present (Wednesday)

3) Unit IV Article Review is due Friday, 3/02. The article is attached below and there are copies in the classroom.

1) Quiz 4.4 (329-341)

2) Congressional terminology - group review/discussion

3) Ranking the "Ideal" president - group discussion

4) Powers and Limitations of the President 

 

1) Read pp. 341-358 (notes for a reading quiz)

2) The Neustadt reading (handout) on the unit guide was not assigned. 

3) U.S. v. Nixon group will be presenting next class (2/28)

4) Unit IV Article Review is due Friday, 3/02. Article is attached below and copies are available in the classroom. 

1) Discussion of Bill to Law research (and turned in)

 

2) Congressional terminology to know/review (complete by next class)

3) Federal budget - activities and discussion

 

1) Write in as much information as you can on each of the 15 Congressional terminology items (handed out in class on Tuesday and attached below). Be ready to share and discuss!

2) Read pp. 329-341 - take notes for a quiz

3) If you were absent in class last Wednesday, look at the 2/14 class info to get video links to 3 short (fun) videos we watched in class!

How a Bill Becomes A Law! (videos, handouts, discussion, and flow map of events)

 

1) Complete and print out your TYPED Bill to Law research.

2) Read "Battle Over the Budget" and complete the true/false sheet. Be ready to discuss the budget process!

1) Quiz 4.2 (297-310)

2) "75 Stars?" article - group and class discussion

3) Differences between the House and Senate - brainstorm and discussion

 

Read pp. 310-326 (take notes for a quiz!)

1) Quiz 4.1 (281-297)

2) Unit IV materials and overview

3) Roles of Congress: notes and discussion

 

1) Read pp. 297-310 (notes and a quiz)

2) Make sure you have read the article "75 Stars?" for a belated discussion! Don't forget your questions - we'll be turning them in.

3) Get that Current Events Journal rolling

1) Reviewed multiple choice section of Unit III test

2) Scored 2 FRQs from Unit III test

 

1) Read pp. 281-297 (beginning of Ch. 11) - take notes for the first reading quiz of Unit IV

2) Read the article entitled "Seventy-five Stars?" from Mother Jones magazine by Michael Lind (handed out in class; google it if you were absent) and complete the list of 4 questions. You may also write on the article and highlight/take notes on it if you like. We will be discussing it!

3) Heads up: The Supreme Court group with the Baker v. Carr case will be presenting on Monday, 2/12. You might want to start researching your case now! All other remaining cases will also be presented in our new unit.

Unit III Test!

 

Relax and get lots of sleep!

In Class (1/29):

1) Unit III Vocab. Quiz

 

2) Reviewed final notes on media

3) Reviewed for Unit III test

 

Unit III Test: 25 multiple-choice and 2 free response questions

Answers to Practice Test:

1. a
2. e
3. e
4. a
5. b
6. c
7. d
8. d
9. e
10. e
11. a
12. a
13. b
14. b
15. c
16. d
17. c
18. d
19. a
20. a
21. b
22. c
23. d
24. e
25. b
26. b

 

1) Finished Madison and Tocqueville activity (compare and contrast)

2) Quiz 3.6 (251-260)

3) Media: notes and discussion

 

1) Unit III vocab. quiz is on Monday, Jan 29

2) Unit III test is on Wednesday, Jan. 31

1) Sharing of Interest Group lobbying plans

2) Group activity: Federalist #10 and "Tyranny of the Majority" (compare and contrast)

 

1) Read pp. 251-260 and take notes for our last reading quiz of the unit.

2) Unit III Vocab Quiz is on Monday, Jan. 29 and the Unit Test is on Wednesday, Jan. 31. 

1) Overview of lobbying activity

2) Interest groups create lobbying campaigns! (We will share these with the whole class on Tuesday).

 

1) Please remember to put your Unit III Article Review on TURNITIN if you haven't already done so! For those of you who changed class periods:

1st period Class ID = 16029562 and enrollment key/password = Nielsen1

4th period Class ID = 16029619 and enrollment key/password = Nielsen4

5th period Class ID = 16029989 and enrollment key/password = Nielsen5

6th period Class ID = 16030022 and enrollement key/password = Nielsen6

2) Read Federalist #10 (in the appendix of textbook or online) by James Madison and answer the sheet of questions.

 

3) Read "Tyranny of the Majority" by Alexis de Tocqueville and annotate the copy of the article with highlighting, underlining, notations or questions in the margins, etc. 

1) Quiz 3.5 (235-246)

2) Sign ups for 2nd Semester Current Events Journal topics 

3) Interest groups and lobbying - more notes/discussion (PowerPoint notes posted below)

4) Info on activity for next class

 

Unit III Article Review ("The Misplaced Obsession with PACs" by Larry Sabato). Copies available in the classroom and below. Remember to type and print out your review before class on Thursday. Also, please remember to upload your paper to TURNITIN.COM!!

1) Quiz 3.4 (223-235)

2) News catch up!

3) Interest Groups: overview, notes, lots of discussion and MAIL!

 

1) Read pp. 235-246 - take notes for a reading quiz on Tuesday.

2) Unit III Article Review is due on Friday, 1/19. The article is entitled "The Misplaced Obsession with PACs" by Larry Sabato (pp. 258-265 of the Woll supplemental reader). Copies are available in class and it is attached below as well.

3) Start thinking about your Spring Semester Current Events Journal! We will sign up for new topics next week.

1) Welcome Back! What did we do over the break...?

2) Review of Unit II test (final exam) - multiple choice and Free Response sections

3) Semester grade reports

4) New seats

 

Read pp. 223-235 (beginning of Ch. 9) - take notes for our first reading quiz of the semester!

 1) NO QUIZ - Woo hoo!!

2) Current Events Journal scored and discussed

3) The theory of Critical Elections -handout and discussion

4) Electoral college results over the years (270 to Win website)

 

1) Unit II Vocab Quiz on Tuesday! Remember that it is on the "Key Terms" list of words and definitions.

2) Unit II test is on the day of the final.

1) Quiz 3.2 (162-171)

2) Review of party platform double-bubble maps

3) Presidential elections since 1932 - activity and discussion!

 

1) Read pp. 171-180 and take notes for quiz 3.3

2) Current Events Journals are DUE!!

3) Unit II Vocab quiz is Tuesday and Unit II test is during finals. Review materials are attached below!!

1) Campaign finance - more notes/discussion and videos

2) Citizens United v. FEC - case presentation

3) 4 corners activity - campaign finance reforms

 

Read text pp. 151-162. This is the beginning of Ch. 7 (Political Parties). We'll have a quiz on it and start the beginning of the next unit next week!

1) Quiz 2.9 (200-208)

2) Background notes and discussion: Campaign finance

3) Buckley v. Valeo: presentation

4) More notes/discussion

 

1) Read article entitled "Elections, Money, and the First Amendment." You MAY write on this article and keep it.

2) Please TYPE and print out your responses to the 4 questions at the end of the article. Give them some thought and use the information in the article to help inform your opinions!

3) DON'T FORGET YOUR CURRENT EVENTS JOURNALS!!

1) Quiz 2.8 (189-192 + reps)

2) Shaw v. Reno - presentation

3) Congressional elections and gerrymandering (part 2): review class activity, "Alice" article, notes, discussion and short video

 

 

1) Read pp. 200-208 - last reading quiz! 

2) Buckley and Citizens United cases - be ready!

3) Don't forget to keep up your Current Events Journals!!

1) Congressional elections: Incumbency advantages

2) Gerrymandering! Background, notes and activity

 

Homework (due 12/01):
1) Read text pp. 189-192 - take notes for a quick quiz! Be sure to know the names of our 2 California Senators and your House Representative (CA 27th district).

2) Bring your "Alice" questions and reading to class so we can discuss it!

3) Shaw v. Reno and Buckley v. Valeo - your turn!!

4) FINAL REMINDER: All Unit II Article Reviews need to be submitted to Turnitin.com before Friday or points will be deducted from your paper!! 

1) Review of the Presidential Election process and the Electoral College (we created 2 different Thinking Maps)

2) Introduction to Congressional Elections: notes and discussion

 

Read "Alice Doesn't Vote Here Anymore" and complete set of questions. It's a cute story but makes some really good points, so read carefully! 

"Unprecedented: The 2000 Election" - video, questions and discussion

 

Get 8 hours of sleep each night over break and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

1) "Journeys with George" discussion and review

2) Electoral College overview - videos, discussion and questions from article

 

Unit II Article Review on "The Responsible Electorate" by V.O. Key, Jr. 

Please remember that you must turn in a printed copy as well as submit your paper to TURNITIN.COM. Submitting online is not the same as turning in your paper in class!

 "Journeys with George" (75 minute documentary)

 

1) Please try to complete as many of the video questions and terms as you can.

2) Read the article about the electoral college and answer the questions. You may write these directly on the sheet.

3) Remember that Unit II Article Review ("The Responsible Electorate" by V.O. Key) is due Friday, 11/17.

1) Quiz 2.7 (185-188 and 192-200)

2) Presidential elections: videos, notes, and discussion!

 

 

1) Read "Does my vote count? Understanding the Electoral College" and complete the set of questions. We will not discuss this in class until 11/15 (next week), so it is not due until then. However, if you do it now, you don't have to do it later!!

2) Reminder that Unit II Article Review on "The Responsible Electorate" by V.O. Key is due on Friday, Nov. 17. Be sure to read the article ahead of time to ask questions or clarify any material.

1) Voter materials: sample ballots, registration forms, and info. booklets

2) 2008 and 2016 voter results

3) Voting - final notes and discussion

 

Read selected parts of Ch. 8 (pp. 185-188 and 192-200). PLEASE NOTE - this is a change from what's on your unit guide and what was posted in class!! Please follow these pages instead and start/stop at red headings (this all relates to Presidential elections). Take notes for our reading quiz!

1) Quiz 2.6 (140-148)

2) Voting rights history: a brief overview (2 handouts to keep)

3) Current issues in voting: reading + group discussion

 

Read "The Responsible Electorate" by V.O. Key Jr. for our Unit II Article Review. The article is in your Woll supplemental reader (pp. 226-230). It is also attached here.

 

1) Handed back and discussed Unit I Article Review

2) Quiz 2.5 (131-140)

3) Why don't people vote? Brainstorm and discussion

4) Voting in the U.S.: notes/statistics/discussion

 

Read pp. 140-148 - reading quiz!

1) Quiz 2.4 (116-128)

2) Political Ideology: notes, discussion, survey and political spectrum!

 

 

Homework (10/30):
Read pp. 131-140 (notes and quiz!)

 

 

1) Quiz 2.3 (103-115)

2) Public Opinion and Polling - notes and discussion

3) How Polls Work - anticipatory guide, reading, discussion

 

Read pp. 116-128 (reading quiz - take good notes!)

1) Quiz 2.2 (90-99)

2) Political Tolerance - activity and discussion

 

Read pp. 103-115 - take notes for another exciting reading quiz! :)

1) Finished Constitutional Convention! Congratulations to our winners...

     1st place (tie!) - Groups #3 and 6

     2nd place - Group #7

2) New quarter...new seats

3) Quiz 2.1 (77-90)

4) Unit II materials and overview

5) What do Americans believe in? Brainstorm and discussion (political culture)

 

Read pp. 90-99 (notes and a quiz, as always!)

1) Discussed multiple choice section of unit test

2) Scored 2 FRQs from unit test

 

1) Read pp. 77-90 and take notes for our first Unit II reading quiz!

2) Make sure your Constitutional Convention group rationale statement is complete and ready to turn in. You may print it out or send me a copy.

In Class (10/11):
1) Unit I Test

2) Current Events Journal check

 

Breathe, rest and relax!!

 

 

1) Unit I vocab quiz

2) Amendment posters

3) Group presentations

**Voting will take place later this week!!!**

 

1) UNIT I TEST: 25 multiple-choice questions and 2 FRQs

Study guide

Class notes

Reading notes

Handouts

PowerPoints on class website

Textbook (review, don't read it all again!)

AP Review book

Study partners!!

 

1) Turned in Unit I Article Review

2) Constitutional Convention!! Group work time to brainstorm, research and write amendments

 

1) Unit I Vocab Quiz (see Key Terms list)

2) Be sure your group is ready to explain, present and defend your amendments for our ratification vote in class!

3) Reminder...Unit I test is on Wed. 10/11. There will be 25 multiple-choice questions and 2 FRQs.

4) Please also remember to have your Current Events Journal ready to check during the unit test on Wednesday. Paper or electronic device is fine! 

 

Answers to the practice questions for Unit I test review:

1. B

2. C

3. A

4. E

5. D

6. E

 

1) Key Constitutional Clauses quiz

2) Article Review - reminders and review (see below)

3) Practice FRQ scoring

4) New Constitutional Convention - let's re-write and FIX the Constitution!!

 

Unit I Article Review due Wed. Important reminders:

     1. TYPE and PRINT your paper

     2. Make sure you write an essay with 3-5 paragraphs

     3. Follow all directions on the last 2 pages in your syllabus (and attached below)

     4. Edit your paper and make sure it is error-free, intelligently written and grammatically clean.

     5. Submit your paper to TURNITIN.COM before you come to class on Thursday!

         Class I.D. = 16030022

         Enrollment key = Nielsen6

 

 

1) Federalism - final notes/review

2) Practice FRQ

3) Article Review assignment - overview and format

 

Homework (due 10/03):
1) Study for the Key Constitutional Clauses quiz! There will be 15 items, a word bank, and statements about each clause. Be sure you understand what each clause means and how it is applied.

2) Finish the "Federalism" notes chart (back side)

3) Read the Hofstadter article (excerpt from "The American Political Tradition") and begin thinking about how to write/formulate your Article Review. Use the reading notes/guide attached below (this is not an assignment to turn it) to help you take notes while you read and organize your evaluative comments for the paper.

4) Don't forget about your Current Events Journal! Please plan to have an introduction and 3-4 entries on your news topic to be checked during our first unit test on 10/10!

1) Quiz 1.7 (pp. 65-74)

2) Barron v. Baltimore: case presentation

3) Federalism - activity and discussion

 

 

1) Complete at least half (the front side) of the Federalism graphic organizer chart. Remember, for each item you need to describe the effect the case or the item have had on our government (hint: do not just define each term!).

2) Start studying the "Key Constitutional Clauses" list for our quiz on Tuesday, Oct. 3. You need to know the meaning of each clause (not the location or the exact wording). You will be given a list of 15 clauses and asked to match them to descriptions of how they are applied/used.

 

1) Quiz 1.7 (59-65)

2) Federalism notes and discussion (con't)

3) Federalism in the Constitution - activity

 

1) Read pp. 65-74 and take notes for our last reading quiz of the unit!

 

1) Quiz 1.6 (55-59)

2) McCulloch v. Maryland - group presentation

3) Federalism - notes and discussion/activity

 

1) Read pp. 59-65 and take notes for a reading quiz

2) Complete your Amendments chart

3) Baron v. Baltimore group - presentation on Wed. 9/27

 

1) Quiz 1.5 (49-54)

2) Amending the Constitution/Proposed Amendments - discussion

3) Marbury brief - feedback and notes

 

Homework (due 9/21):
1) Read pp. 55-59 (notes for a quiz!)

2) Re-write or "fix" your Marbury brief using written feedback and class notes. Please attach the original brief to the back of the new one (print out a new copy please!)

3) Add to your Amendments Chart - what change did each one make? why is it significant?

1) Methods of amending the Constitution

2) Amendments proposed by Congress but not ratified by the states - pairs activity

3) Classifying amendments in the Constitution - pairs activity

4) ERA debate!

 

Read pp. 49-54. Take notes for our reading quiz!

1) Turned in Marbury v. Madison briefs

2) FRQ Day! How to write one, tips, and group scoring practice

 

1) Read the article entitled "The ERA: Almost an Amendment"

2) Answer the sheet of questions about the ERA and be ready to debate whether or not it should be added to the U.S. Constitution!

1) Quiz 1.4 (pp. 37-47)

2) Supreme Court Briefs: overview, sample and groups/topics

 

1) Read the background material on the Marbury v. Madison Supreme Court decision

2) Write a brief of the case, using the format explained on p. 6 of your syllabus and on the sample brief. Make sure that you have the correct information in each section and that you CONNECT THE DOTS (fully explain) the Court's reasoning. Please remember to type and print out your brief!

1) Federalist #51 - pair and whole class discussion/notes

2) Checks and balances in the Constitution - overview/worksheet/review

 

Read text pp. 37-47. Take notes and be ready for a quiz!

1) Quiz 1.3 (pp. 28-37)

2) Overview/introduction to the U.S. Constitution: Articles I, II and III (activity/discussion)

 

Read Federalist 51 carefully (textbook Appendix, pp. A26-A29). Complete the list of questions using quotes and explain as much as possible. Be ready to discuss!

 In Class (8/31):
1) Quiz 1.2 (pp. 16-27)

2) Creation of the U.S. Constitution: background/notes/discussion

 

Read pp. 28-37 and take notes for next reading quiz!

1) Close Up Washington - overview and information!

2) Democracy quotes and discussion

3) So how democratic are we? Pairs discussion

4) Direct democracy (propositions/initiatives) debate

 

Read textbook pp. 16-27 and take good notes for a reading quiz!

1) Quiz 1.1 (3-15)

2) Democracy: notes and discussion (PP attached below - stop at Al Gore/slide #12)

3) Current Events Journals: overview, samples and sign-up for topics!

 

 

Read (or re-read) pg. 13 in your textbook. Make a list of PRO and CON ideas about initiatives/propositions and direct democracy. Be prepared to support either side in a class debate!

1) Shared cartoons with clock partner and class!

2) Syllabus part 2: quizzes and tests (including make up procedures)

3) Unit I overview/materials

 

 

Homework (due 8/25):
Read Ch. 1 (pp. 3-15) and TAKE NOTES for our first reading quiz!!

1) Course overview/syllabus (part 1)

2) Clock partners sign up!

3) News and political cartoon websites for Current Events Journals:

Political cartoon analysis (see attached sheet). NOTE: PLEASE make sure that your cartoon is very recent...at least from August, 2017. CURRENT events, right?!

 

 

1) Welcome back!

2) Introductions and summer sharing

3) Summer news quiz!

4) News discussion and overview

 

Please fill out the index card with the information requested on the half sheet of questions. Be sure to write neatly enough so that I can read it!