Unit Three: (Hybrid Unit:)
- The U.S. Constitution & American Political System
Essential Questions for this Unit
Students will be required to answer two of these essential questions in written, ACES paragraph form. (See deadlines to the right.) |
Key Materials & Deadlines for this Unit:
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Lesson One - Organizing American Government: Core Principles
Essential Question:
What plan for government does the U.S. Constitution create?
Essential Question:
What plan for government does the U.S. Constitution create?
LESSON TWO: Modern Political Ideology & Party Platforms
Essential Question: How does ideology influence the decisions of each major political party?
Lesson Three: Picking the President & Vice President: The American Two Party & Electoral College System
Essential Question: How do our two party and electoral college system shape American Politics?
Lesson 4: Presidential Authority & Executive Powers
Essential Question -
What powers does the Constitution give the Executive Branch & how does the president exercise and delegate those responsibilities?
This lesson focuses on the Executive Branch and the powers of the President.
Download notes here for lesson 4.
Handouts:
Download notes here for lesson 4.
Handouts:
Lesson Five: Representation:
Essential Question -
What determines how each state is represented in the Federal government?
Download Lesson Notes 5 Notes Here
In these lectures, I discuss the constitution's emphasis on representation in Congress. Of particular importance are the:
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Lesson Six: Balance of Power: Congressional Powers & Elections
Essential Question:
What are the powers and operating procedures of the United States Congress?
This is a large lesson focused on the following topics:
DOWNLOAD Lesson 6 NOTES HERE Handouts: |
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(Lesson 7: Elections & Voting Procedures
Download Lesson 7 & 8 Notes here
Lesson 8: Downballot Races (see notes above for BOTH lessons 7 & 8)
ADDITIONAL Supplemental MATERIALS:
This Lesson focuses on the structure of North Carolina government, with a focus on:
DOWNLOAD NOTES HERE HANDOUTS: |
Lesson 9: Running Winning a Political Campaign - Download notes here
Lesson 10: Campaign Finance 101 - Download Notes Here
Lesson 11: Campaign Propaganda & Mass MEdia: Download Notes Here
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Lesson 12 - A Balance of Power: The Supreme Court & Judicial Review
Essential Question: How does the Supreme interpret and protect the Constitution?
Supplemental Lesson: (This Lesson now taught in the unit on the courts)
Essential Question: What is the jurisdiction and structure of the Federal Judiciary?
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Lesson 13 - The First Amendment
Essential Question: How has the Supreme Court interpreted the 1st Amendment?
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Lesson 14: Individual Rights
EQ: What makes interpretation of the 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, & 10th amendments sometimes controversial?
Lesson 15: Due Process
EQ: In what ways have courts upheld the Due Process of law for individuals accused of a crime?
Lesson 16 EQ: To what extent has the U.S. Constitution evolved over time?
Notes
Handouts
Handouts