Trimester+2

Trimester 2 Lessons

Tuesday Nov. 29
Discuss chapter 4-6 review packet in class Hand out comprehensive study guide for final

Read directions below carefully and follow each step.

 * 1) ====Highlight words in which you know the definitions without looking them up. Do nothing else with them - Do not waste time studying things you already know.====
 * 2) ====Make a list of words you "sort of know". Write these definitions in your own words - Not copied from the glossary====
 * 3) ====Choose ten words you are struggling with. These are words whose definitions are not even on the tip of your tongue. Write a dialogue between yourself and a famous person (President, celebrity, literary character, etc.), using these words. Incorporate the definitions or meanings of the words through the dialogue.====


 * Be ready to share your dialogue the next day :)**

Monday Dec. 5
Weekly Current Event Talk about a current event in class. Example will be provided. Click the following to review lesson requirements in case you were absent.

Click the following to view the article we read together in class

The following link will give you all the articles and choices you will need.

Annotated bibliography rules courtesy Mrs. Davis.

Tuesday Dec. 6
Share coding results in class Fill out organizer

Write a paragraph with the class.

Discuss citing sources.

Wednesday Dec. 7
Executive Branch Unit begins

Slide show will be shown in class - take notes, answer questions

Read pages 171-173 in your civics today book and answer the questions on the handout



**Thursday Dec. 8**

 * 1. Exit Slip: What are the requirements of becoming president?**


 * 2. Class Matching Game: Chief Executive, Head of State, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Legislative Leader, Economic Leader.**


 * 3. Student Practice Sheets**

[|The President's Cabinet]

**Monday Dec. 12**


Current Event Check-in Announce Quiz for Tuesday

7 Roles of the president game: [|Click Here]

Wednesday Dec. 14
Click the following link to view political cartoons. Follow the directions given in the link [|Political Cartoons]

**Monday Dec. 19**
Lecture - 10 minutes to introduce unit. Jigsaw Activity: Class participation will be graded. Everyone in the groups must be on task and participating. Hand out study guide to each student to fill in during class presentations.
 * Judicial Branch**

Assign a topic(s) for each group. Selections must be read, and group members are to take a few notes over the main ideas. Everyone must share notes and agree on the most important points. Groups report out after 12 minutes by sharing their notes on the Whiteboard.
 * District Courts & Vocab
 * Courts of Appeals & Vocab
 * Powers of the Supreme Court
 * Limits to the Court's Power
 * Judicial Review

Report out time-10 minutes.

Tuesday Dec. 20
[|iCivics]

Wednesday Dec. 21
Essential Question: How do Supreme Court decisions impact the nation? Project: Make an informational brochure. You are an educator teaching a new immigrant about important supreme court cases. Your audience is a legal immigrant studying to become a U.S. Citizen.

For each, answer the following; Be ready to share out! [|Supreme Court Timeline] You will need to place the cases in the right order in the timeline first.
 * Choose two cases using the given links**.
 * 1) What was the major Constitutional issue regarding the case?
 * 2) Who was involved?
 * 3) What lasting impact did the case have?

[|Court Cases] Great resource for a host of landmark cases.

Open **Pages** and choose a basic **brochure** template. Find images to put in your brochure to make it visually engaging. Use the same questions as above to build your brochure.

[|WebQuest] -

Tuesday Jan. 3
Use the links below to learn details about the Bragdon Case and complete your worksheet. Work cooperatively in your groups. [|Bragdon Link]

[|Link 2]

[|Link 3] = =

= =

Thursday Jan. 5
Political Parties Key Terms:
 * 1) **Two Party System** - American political system that is dominated by two parties (Rep & Dems)
 * 2) **Political Party** - People who associate with a common set of beliefs on how the government should work.
 * 3) **Third Parties** - Parties that fall outside the two party system. Green, Independent, Socialist, Libertarian
 * 4) **Republican** - You believe in smaller government, traditional values
 * 5) **Democrat** - You believe government can be a positive force in your life.
 * 6) **Conservative** - Generally associated with Republicans. Believe in less government, lower taxes, pro-life, etc.
 * 7) **Liberal** - Generally associated with Democrats> Believe in more government involvement, pro-choice
 * 8) **Platform** - Statements that define a parties beliefs and positions on election issues.
 * 9) **Plank** - One part of a platform. A single belief.

[|Political Philosophy] - When you get to the page, choose "don't save". Write down your result so you remember it.

[|Political Philosophy 2] Write down your result.

Were you at all surprised by the results? [|Click Here]- Difference between Liberals and Conservatives by Issue. Which issues do feel the strongest about?

Friday. Jan 6
Key Terms:
 * Centrist:** You are in the political center. Liberal or conservative on certain issues.
 * Radical:** You advocate revolution even violence to change current conditions.
 * Reactionary:** You oppose progress. Extremely conservative, don't mind going back in time to "better days."
 * Conservative:** You favor traditional views, tend to oppose change but acknowledge change can be necessary.
 * Liberal:** You favor reforms, change, and are open to progress.

Admit Slip What is a political platform? What would be an example of a plank?

Make a platform. You will be assigned a political group. Choose any five of the listed issues and learn about them using link below or Google the topic. [|Political Issues]
 * Abortion || Gun Control || Environment ||
 * Affirmative Action || Immigration || Energy ||
 * Death Penalty || Health Care || War on Drugs ||
 * Military Spending || Stem Cell Research || School Vouchers ||
 * Poverty || Taxes || Global Warming ||

With the facts about the five issues your group chooses, Map out a political platform based on your political group.

What would be the most important plank in your political party? [|Political Ideology Description]

Monday, Jan 9 - How the parties choose their candidates.
Key Terms:
 * Primary/Caucus** - These are ways candidates are chosen to represent their party for president
 * Every state has primaries and caucuses throughout the campaign "season". The goal is to narrow the field to one candidate, who will then take on the sitting president during the election.
 * National Committee -**

Who votes in the primaries? - Citizens and voters.

Political parties play important roles in our culture.
 * 1) Inform citizens about the issues
 * 2) Manage government
 * 3) Work within their party to solve problems
 * 4) Act as watchdogs against the sitting party in power.

Frayer Model Activity: Each group will complete a Frayer model organizer based on an assigned word. A group rep will write their results on the board to share with the class. Each student will participate and produce an organizer to turn-in. Class will be graded on participation.

Tuesday, Jan 10
Video - [|Political Parties]

The role of political parties.

1. Elect candidates to office.
National Committees raise money for candidates and work to get their party in power. These are powerful Political Machines such as Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee.

2. Nominate Candidates.
Parties hold "mini-elections" called primaries and caucuses in order to choose candidates for president. A closed primary means that only registered party votes can participate An open primary means any registered voter can participate.

This year, the primary season runs from Jan 3rd - June 26th. Each state will hold an election to select a candidate for president. March 6th is "super tuesday" when ten states all hold their primaries on the same day.

Candidates want to win as many primaries as possible to gain support, money and recognition. They want to be chosen by their party to run for president during the general election.

3. Parties also manage government

4. Parties act as a watchdog and always have their eye on the opposing political side. This keeps all parties honest and on their toes.

5. Parties link the three levels of government together by keeping communication open between local, state, and federal offices.

6. Parties also educate the public on the issues. Politicians engage in interviews, televised debates, and write articles describing their beliefs on important issues.

[|Reagan Convention]

Thursday, Jan 12
Create a bumper sticker about an issue that is important to you. Apply your knowledge of an issue of choice and create a visually appealing representation of your issue.

On the back of your bumper sticker, write a description of your issue and explain your opinion or belief about that issue.

Possible issues could include: Immigration or Illegal Immigration, Death Penalty, Abortion, Animal Rights, Drug Policy, Gun Control, Gay Marriage, Military Spending, Health Issues, Teen Pregnancy, The Environment, War, Alternative Energy, Racial Tolerance, Citizenship, Domestic Violence, the National Debt

This list is not complete by any means.

Friday, Jan 13
Take the following "quiz" and see which Republican candidate matches with your views. You may not completely understand each question. I can help or you can //very quickly// google the topic.
 * If you already know you are a staunch Democrat.......humor me!

[|Candidate Match-Game]

Tuesday, Jan 17


Elections and Voting

The following are all the terms you will know at the end of this unit. Some words should look familiar.

**Political Party** - A group that share the same beliefs about many issues
 * platform** - Group of issues held by a political party or candidate
 * nominate** - Selecting an individual to run for office or president
 * closed primary** - Only party members (Dems or Repubs) can vote
 * open primary** - Any registered voter can vote
 * campaign** - Working toward a particular goal. Example: A goal of winning an election
 * exit poll** - Asking exiting voters about who they voted for in an effort to predict and election
 * winner-take-all** - The candidate who wins most of the votes gets all of the electors.
 * split ticket** - Voting for candidates across party lines
 * straight ticket** - Voting only for candidates from one political party.
 * Incumbent** -Politician running for re-election.
 * Political Action Committee (PAC)** -Group that raises money to elect candidates to office. (Senators representatives, presidents)
 * Hard money** - money given to candidates. Can only be a specified amount per person or group.
 * Soft Money** - Money given to "party building". Less rules apply.
 * Two party system** - System dominated by two political parties.
 * Plank** - A candidate or party's position on one issue.
 * Electoral College** - Electors chosen by each state to elect the president.
 * Convention** -Gathering of party supporters.
 * Direct Primary** - Voters vote directly for a candidate.
 * Apathy** - Lack of interest in the political process (voting, etc.)

Wednesday, Jan 18
[|Primaries Video]

Thursday, Jan 19
[|Electoral College Video]

[|Electoral Map]

Tuesday, Jan 24
Agenda: Take the "mock quiz" correct in groups and give back to students. 15 minutes.

Explore more topics in campaign money. Essential Question: Is soft money good or bad for our political system and democracy?

Students will read the following argument about Soft Money.

Can you think of a counter argument about the main idea of the article? Use your laptops to find information about the problems of soft money in campaigns.

[|Soft Money]


 * Thursday, Jan 26th**
 * Influencing Government...and Voters!**
 * Notes: 15min**
 * Slides: 15min**
 * Videos: 10min**

What is Propaganda?
Spreading of ideas or rumors for the purpose of helping or hurting a person, group of people or a cause. Propaganda is a negative way of influencing your opinions. It is misleading and biased.

Why Propaganda?
It’s intended to make us accept or approve of something without looking at the evidence. We are not expected to ask questions or look at the facts. People who use propaganda rely on the fact that we are very busy, preoccupied, and too lazy to question their statements.


 * Endorsements** - If you like the person endorsing a cause, you’ll support it too. “Chuck Norris likes this, so it must be ok!!”

“President Obama has ruined the economy, divided the country, destroyed business and has been a complete failure!” This statement ignores Obama's accomplishments such as destroying terrorists and saving major companies from ruin. It also does not give evidence of the accusations.
 * Card-Stacking** - Present only one side of the issue to make your own argument sound like the only right choice.

Groups like to diminish their opponents by implying or hinting that they are extreme, a racist, intolerant.
 * Name-Calling** - Turn people off by labeling someone a racist, extreme, etc.


 * Glittering Generality** - A statement that sounds nice, but means absolutely nothing.


 * Symbols** - Using cultural images to get an emotional appeal. The American Flag, Patriotic symbols, military, memorials, classic cars, etc.


 * Just Plain Folks** - “my parents both worked in factories”. I am just like you!


 * The Bandwagon** - Everyone else already agrees with me, so you may as well too. McDonald's does this with their "Over billion served" signs. If Billions eat there then you should too.


 * Negativity -** Any combination of scare tactics and angry appeals meant to quickly sway your opinion.
 * 1) Attack
 * 2) Scare Tactics
 * 3) Anger

[|Johnson's Daisy ad]

[|Ron Paul]

[|Ron Paul 2]

[|Anti-Gingrich]

[|Anti-Romney ad]

[|Rick Santorum]

[|Presidential TV ads]

[|Bandwagon]

[|Glittering Generalities]

Tuesday, Jan 31
Special Interset Groups - Groups who share a common interest in an area of learning, technology, or social agenda [|MADD]

[|Cato Institute]

[|The American Legion]

Wednesday, Feb 1

 * Essential Knowledge:**
 * Source of early laws and concepts**
 * Difference between criminal and civil law.**

Agenda: Pass back homework/CE Go over and collect Interest Group Assignment Begin Unit on Laws: Students take notes Pass out Triple Vocab Entry Forms. [|Hammurabi's Code]
 * We are a Republic - A nation of laws.
 * Highlight Early law with a timeline on the white board.
 * Difference between Criminal/civil law. Ask class for examples

Open your textbook to page 344. Find the following words and complete the triple vocab entry journal for the following words.


 * Jurisprudence** - The study of law
 * Common law** - Great contribution of the English system. Law based on court decisions and customs. Led to the idea of precedent.
 * Precedent** - Legal opinions that become the basis for future legal opinions.
 * Statute** - A law written by a legislative branch
 * Tort** - Civil wrongs committed between citizens. You may sue someone because they were directly or indirectly responsible for you being injured. You would want to recover medical costs from your injury.
 * Felony** - Major crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery
 * Plaintiff** - The party that brings charges against someone. The one who is suing.
 * Defendant** - The person being sued.
 * Misdemeanor** - Offenses such as vandalism, stealing inexpensive items, writing bad checks, etc.
 * Lawsuit** - Lagal action where a person or group seeks to sue for damages.

Monday, Feb 6
Agenda

Announcements: NWEA Testing schedule

Introduce Persuasive Argument assignment. This will be a weekly event. For future weeks, students will be required to do the necessary research individually. Explain that human beings are all Philosophers: philo - lover Sophia - Goddess of wisdom We ask the question why....our questions are inexhaustible. Ask groups to look up the words: Human, Nature, Good, Evil. Write the definitions in your notebooks.

Tell students that their goal will be to write a one page persuasive essay about the question: Are human beings naturally good or bad? They will be building on their knowledge during the week culminating in a classroom debate/discussion and essay for Friday.

Move on the the vocab review sheet for the rest of class.

Day Two: Humans are inherently good. Make the case to the class using evidence. Homework: Find any online source that supports the argument that human beings are inherently good. You will share your evidence the following day.

Tuesday, Feb 7
Review "human nature" results.



Wednesday, Feb 8
[|Jeopardy edit]

[|Jeopardy Play]

Monday, Feb 13
[|Maine Courts]

Friday, Feb 17
[|Argument Wars]

Tuesday, Feb 28
Agenda: Review Key terms for the Quiz & The following questions (10 minutes) Why do courts prefer disputes to be settled before a trial? Difference between Civil and Criminal Trials?

Burden of Proof T-chart Civil vs Criminal (5 minutes)

Hook Video - [|Civil Case Attorneys] (5 min) Follow-up Questions: Should everyone be guaranteed a lawyer in a civil case? Reading activity (15 minutes) [|Child Custody argument]

[|New York Times Article] Write a summary paragraph of the main ideas of the article. (20 minutes)

Civil case comprehension worksheet. (15 minutes) Exit Slip: (5 minutes)

Wednesday, Feb 29


[|Types of Government Video]

Friday, March 2
Comparing countries from around the world. Set up a three column chart to use as a country comparison. [|List of World Governments]
 * Step One**: Follow the link below and choose three countries. All world countries are listed on this page.

Answer in short, bulleted answers on your charts. [|CIA World Facts]
 * Step Two**: Open the following directions below and answer the following question for each country in your chart.

[|Travel Warnings]

Monday, March 5
Complete the triple vocab entry sheet for tuesday's class. Use the link below to help if needed or use your Civics Today book. [|Triple Vocab Help]

Tuesday, March 6
Agenda: 1. Hand Back Quizzes 2. Begin reviewing vocabulary 3. Review student work (3 column activity) Give each group a government type. They work together to come up with a scenario describing their government (without mentioning the government type). Another group will read and decide what type of government in being described.



__Vocabulary for Chapter 27__

 * Dictatorship** - One person rules. No accountability to the people.


 * Monarchy** - Rule by a hereditary king or queen


 * Military Junta** - Government led by a committee of military rulers. Think Egypt currently


 * Oligarchy** - Rule by a group of powerful elites


 * Communism** - Government owns all industry, no private ownership. Wealth is distributed as the government see fit.


 * Representative Democracy** - People get to chose their leaders with regular elections. U.S.A.


 * Constitutional Monarchy** - Government where the king or queen's authority is limited by a constitution or laws.


 * Multi-Party Democracy** - Imagine the United States with 5 to 10 major political parties. Modern day Israel or France for example


 * Federal Republic** - Power is shared between a central government and smaller states, territories or provinces. U.S.A.


 * Republic** - A government where laws, not leaders or a single authority figure hold society together. Much authority is left to the people and leaders are elected. U.S.A.


 * Socialism** - Government controls the largest segments of society like education, health care, energy, transportation, etc.


 * Theocracy** - Rule by a religious authority. The Pope, or the Ayatollah.


 * Parliamentary Democracy** - System with an executive and legislative body working in unison with one another. There is much less gridlock and legislation and laws are passed much quicker.


 * Direct Democracy** - People decide everything. Exists only in small local governments like town hall meetings.


 * Anarchy** - No government! A temporary condition where someone or some group usually assumes power.


 * Totalitarianism** - Style of rule where **all** decisions are made by the dictator.


 * Authoritarianism** - A system run by the dictator, oligarchy, theocracy, etc. Personal freedom is suppressed.

Wednesday, March 7
Agenda: Hand Back Quizzes.

Read Chapter 27 Section 2 in your book. Look for any vocabulary you are unfamiliar with.

We will discuss the section in class and answer some key questions.

Groups will make a Venn or 3 column chart to compare and contrast differences: Groups with the most detail and facts on their diagrams will each win points on an upcoming quiz (yet to be determined).

Exit Slip: TBA

Thursday, March 8
Finish compare and contrast activity with periods one and two.

Introduce China (Hook Video) What is Communism?

[|China Video 1]



Divide the article and have students report out on the main ideas. (Jigsaw)



Two column Chart: U.S. vs. China

Exit Slip: What do you think it would be like to be a teenager in China Today?