Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's American Government Class (Summer Session)
This course is designed to teach students basics of the American government. Through out the course of the semester students will be examining the democratic foundations, the structure of the federal government, and then governmental agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. By examining the rights and responsibilities of an American Citizen students will gain an understanding for what is expected of a citizen of the United States and how they are able to influence and participate in our government. For International students this class will provide insight into a democratic form of government that can be applied back home.
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Week 4 - Local and State Government
Monday - Citizenship1. Brainstorm - Rights and Responsibilities
- As a pair come up with a list of 2 rights and 2 responsibilities of citizens 2.Comparing Rights and Responsibilities of a citizen of the US vs. a citizen of Turkey 3. Brainstorm - Benefits of Citizenship - Discussion - Benefits of Citizenship - Break - 4. Process of Naturalization 5. Citizenship Test 6. In Class Writing - Explain why knowing the language of the place you're living in is so important. - Basic Thesis Writing |
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Tuesday - State and Local Government1. State Government
- Break - 2. Local Government Book Activity - Break - 3. Local Government HW: Start Studying for Test |
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Thursday - Political Parties/Review |
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Friday - Final Exam
St Paul Prep students at the State Capitol (Summer 2013)
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St Paul Prep Students at Saint Paul City Hall (Summer 2015) |
Week 3 - The Branches of Government
Monday - The Executive Branch1. Bell Ringer
Interpreting a political cartoon 2. Qualifications and roles of the President 3. Schoolhouse Rock - Electoral College - Break - 4. The Vice-President and the Cabinet 5. The Presidents Hw: Presidential Fact Sheet Handouts
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Wednesday - The Legislative Branch1. Go over court case in ND
2. Court Cases Quiz 3. Qualifications & Powers of Congress - Break - 4. Schoolhouse Rock "I'm just a Bill" 5 Begin Bill into Law Activity HW: Have Bill ready to go through Congress Tomorrow Handouts
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Thursday - Bill into Law Simulation1. Committee
2. Bill into Law Simulation - Break - 3. Reflection 4. Study Guides HW: Unit IIt Test - Branches of Government Tomorrow
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Friday - Unit III Test
1. Go over study guides
2. Unit III Test - Branches of Government
3. Begin watching Lincoln
2. Unit III Test - Branches of Government
3. Begin watching Lincoln
Week 2 - The Constitution and its Amendments
Monday - The 6 Big Ideas1. Bell Ringer - Hand Back Tests
2. Benefits of having a constitution Discussion 3. The 6 Big Ideas of the Constitution Notes - Break - 4. Searching the Constitution for the 6 Big Ideas Activity 5. 6 Big Ideas Discussion |
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Wednesday - Bill of Rights Project1. Finish Amendments 1-10
2. Bill of Rights Project 3. Present Projects HW: Matching Quiz on Amendments 1-10 Tomorrow Handouts
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Thursday - Amendments 11-27 and Checks and Balances1. Quiz on Amendments 1-10
2. Amendments 11-27 - Break - 3. Checks and Balances Activity HW: Unit II Test Tomorrow - Study Guide Due Tomorrow Handouts
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Week 1 - Introduction and Foundations of American Government
Monday - Introduction to Government1. Refresh Rules
2. Downtown Walk 3. Government Perceptions 4. Citizenship Game 5. Current Events - South Carolina Flag |
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Tuesday - Introduction and Class Requirements1. Bell Ringer - Teacher introduction
2. Activity - Student Introductions 3. Goal Setting 4. Go Over Syllabus - Break - 5. Hand out Textbooks 6. Textbook scavenger hunt 7. Questions?? 8. Vocab Assignment 9. Socratic Discussion - Why Study Government? Homework: Write a one paragraph explanation that describes your personal beliefs on government. Do you think that government should be doing a lot? or a little? Why? Use pages 8-10 of your textbook to help you. |
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Wednesday - Intellectual Foundations of Government1. Bell Ringer - Check/Go Over Homework
2. Types of Government 3. Notes - Greece, Rome, and England 4. We the People Chpt 1 - Break - 5. Thinkers of the Enlightenment 6. Thomas Paine Common Sense Homework: Enlightenment Thinkers activity (due tomorrow) |
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Thursday - Early Forms of Government1. Bell Ringer - Review Yesterday's Materials
2. The Mayflower Compact 3. Notes - Reasons for Independence 4. The Declaration of Independence - Break - 5. Notes- The Articles of Confederation >Analyzing The Articles of Confederation 6. In Class Writing Activity - Strong or Weak Central Government? 7. Hand out study guide Homework: Unit I Test - Introduction and Foundations of American Government Tomorrow |
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Friday - Review/Unit I Test1. Bell Ringer - On a piece of paper write 2 questions about something you are having trouble with or want to know more about.
2. Go over study guide - Break - 3. Unit I Test - Introduction and Foundations of American Government 4. Begin homework assignment when done with test 5. CNN Student News/Current Events Homework: |
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