Mr. Tredinnick's Class Site
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Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's United States Government Class

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This semester long course will examine the democratic foundations, structures, and institutions of American government at local, state, and national levels. Students will study the political processes to gain understanding of the role of the individuals in the decision-making process of American government. Students will also learn about the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of the United States. By investigate American government though a variety of methods, including examining primary source documents, conducting research projects, class discussion, and written essays students will gain a deeper understanding of the function of the United States Government.

U.S. Government Discussion Questions

U.S. Government (Summer Credit Recovery)


Unit IV - The Political Process and Policy

Unit IV Course Schedule

Week 16 - Other Influences on Government
(Nov 28-Dec 2)

Monday: State, City, and County Governments
​     - Forum 4.1 - Redefine Federalism
​     - Government at the Local Level (Notes)
     HW: Researching Your Local Government                           (Assignment)
Tuesday: No Class "A" Day
Wednesday: Corporate and Special Interests 
​     - Forum 4.2 - Positives of Interest Groups
     - Political Parties and Lobbyists (Notes)
     HW: Lobbying for Zoos (Assignment)
          + Associations of Zoos and Aquariums 
Thursday: No Class "A" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
Week 18 - Democratic Citizenship
(Dec 12-16)

Monday: No Class "A" Day
Tuesday: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
     - Forum 4.5 - Rights and Responsibilities of                                        Citizenship
     - Pathways to Citizenship (Notes)
     - The Role of Citizens (Notes)
​          + Rights, Responsibilities, and Duties                              (Assignment)
     HW: Finish Thought Questions

Wednesday: No Class "A" Day
Thursday: End of Unit Review
     - Unit IV Study Guide: The Political Process and             Policy (Review)
     - Unit IV Honors Essay Due

Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
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Week 17 - Policy
(Dec 5-9)

Monday: Domestic Policy
     - Forum 4.3 - Most Pressing Issue?
     - Addressing Public Policy: Domestic Policy                  (Notes)
     HW: Researching an Issues (Assignment)
          + GovTrack: Bills and Resolutions
          + Domestic Policy Council
     Honors HW: Unit IV Essay - Ouline Due Monday
Tuesday: No Class "A" Day
Wednesday: Foreign Policy
     - Forum 4.4 - Biggest Threat to World Peace?
     - Setting Foreign and Military Policy (Notes)
     HW: Neglecting Rwanda (Assignment)
          + The Guardian: The US Chose to Ignore                         Rwanda
Thursday: No Class "A" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
Week 19 - Semester End
(Dec 19-22)

Monday: Finish Unit IV
     Unit IV Test - The Political Process and Policy
     
- 1A Final Dec 19th, 7:30 - 9:15
     - 3A Final Dec 19th, 11:45-1:00

Tuesday: B Day Finals
     Unit IV Test - The Political Process and Policy
     - 3B Final Dec 20th, 11:45-1:00

Wednesday: No School - Winter Recess
     OPS Students Report to Zoo Academy

Thursday: No School - Winter Recess
     OPS Students Report to Zoo Academy

Friday: No School - Winter Recess

​Unit IV Notes

Addressing Public Policy: Domestic Policy
File Size: 911 kb
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Government at the Local Level
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Pathways to Citizenship
File Size: 211 kb
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Political Parties and Lobbyists
File Size: 1396 kb
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Setting Foreign and Military Policy
File Size: 1288 kb
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The Role of Citizens
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​Unit IV Review

Unit IV Honors Essay
File Size: 235 kb
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Unit IV Study Guide: The Political Process and Policy
File Size: 218 kb
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Unit IV Assignments

Lobbying for Zoos
File Size: 204 kb
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Neglecting Rwanda
File Size: 254 kb
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Researching an Issue
File Size: 205 kb
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Researching Your Local Government
File Size: 214 kb
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Rights, Responsibilities, and Duties
File Size: 210 kb
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​Unit IV Additional Resources


Unit III - The Branches of Government

Unit III Course Schedule

​Week 11 - The Branches of Government
(Oct 24-28) 

Monday: The Presidency
     - Forum 3.1 - The Presidency
​     - The Executive Branch (Notes)
     HW: Presidential Trivia (Assignment)
          + Animaniacs - The President Song
          + Colbert Helps Obama With His Resume
​          + 25 Things The President Can't Do
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: ​Introducing the Supreme Court
     - Forum 3.2 - Issues in the Court
     - The Judicial Branch (Notes)
     HW: Monumental Cases (Assignment)
Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
​Week 13 - The Election Process & Projects
(Nov 7-11)
Monday: Predicting the Election
​     Forum 3.6 - Congressional Districts
​     - Prediction the 2016 Election (Assignment)
          + NARA: The Electoral College
          + 270 to Win
          + YouGov
          + Real Clear Politics: Electoral Map
     HW: PapLV - Prepare for the CSA, OPS - Have idea for Bill
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Gov CSA and RSP
     - PapLV: Unit I CSA Exam
     - OPS: Work time for RSP Pt 1 
​Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
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Week 14 - The Judicial Branch
(Nov 14-18)

Monday: Gov CSA and RSP
     - PapLV: Unit II CSA Exam
     - OPS: Work time for RSP Pt 2 & 3 
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Study Day
     - Review for Unit III Test - The Branches of Government
     HW: OPS Students RSP Due 11/21

​Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
Week 12 - The Branches of Government
(Oct 31-Nov 4)

​Monday: Enforcing the Laws
     - Forum 3.3 - Presidential Approval
     - The Executive Bureaucracy (Notes)
     HW: Crash Course: How Presidents Govern          (Assignment)
          + Crash Course: How Presidents Govern

​Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: ​Congress
     - Forume 3.4 - Governmental Effectivness

     - The Legislative Branch (Notes)
​          + Bill to Law Flow Chart (Notes)
     PapLV: CSA 1

     OPS: Begin Bill to Law RSP (Assignment)
          + Schoolhouse Rock: I'm Just A Bill
          + Use Patchwork Nation website to help you                   find issues related to your area
     HW: Prepare Bills
Thursday: ​No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
Week 15 - Finish Unit III
(Nov 21-25)

Monday: Finish Unit III
     - Unit III Test - The Branches of Government
          + Monday November 21st, 2016
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: No School - Teacher Work Day
Thursday: No School - Thanksgiving Break
Friday: No School - Thanksgiving Break

Unit III Notes

Bill to Law Flow Chart
File Size: 293 kb
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The Executive Branch
File Size: 665 kb
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The Executive Bureaucracy
File Size: 2139 kb
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The Judicial Branch
File Size: 841 kb
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The Legislative Branch
File Size: 413 kb
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​​Unit III Review

Unit III Study Guide: Branches of Government
File Size: 218 kb
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Unit III Assignments

Bill to Law Simulation
File Size: 573 kb
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Crash Course: How Presidents Govern
File Size: 233 kb
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Highest Court in the Land
File Size: 218 kb
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Monumental Cases
File Size: 236 kb
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Presidential Trivia
File Size: 234 kb
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Predicting the 2016 Election
File Size: 210 kb
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Unit III Additional Resources

25 Things the President Can't Do

270 to Win

2016 Election Forecast

Animaniacs - The President Song

Crash Course: How Presidents Govern

Gallup

NARA: The Electoral College

Patchwork Nation

PBS: Landmark Cases

President's Rap

Real Clear Politics - Electoral Map

The House of Representatives 

​The Senate

The Supreme Court

White House

YouGov


Unit II - The Constitution and its Amendments

​Unit II Course Schedule

Week 6 - Introducing the Constitution
(Sept 19-23)

Monday: Constitution Day Activity
     Constitution Day is September 17th
     - Quizlet Live Competition
​     - US Citizenship Test
​
     HW: The Constitution's Influence (Assignment)
​          + Rights Around the World
​
     Honors HW: Unit II Honors Essay (Due Oct 17th)
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Introducing the Six Big Ideas
​     - The Six Big Ideas of the Constitution (Notes)
     - Six Big Ideas Discussion (Assignment)
     HW: Six Big Ideas Discussion Debrief
          + On back of Assgnment Paper
Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
Week 9 - The Bill of Rights
​
​(Oct 10-14)

Monday: The Bill of Rights
​     - Bill of Rights Reference (Notes)
     - Bill of Rights Poster (Assignment)
     Honors HW: Bill of RIghts Matching Quiz

Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Unpacking the Bill of Rights
     - Final Preparations/Honors Matching Quiz
     - Present Posters
​     - The First Ten Amendments (Notes)
     Honors HW: Unit II Honors Essay Due next class

Thursday: No Class "B" Day
​     Half Day - Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday: No School - Teacher Work Day
Week 7 -The Principles of the Constitution​(Sept 26-30)
Monday: The Six Big Ideas in the Constitution
     - Finding the Six Big Ideas (Assignment)
​     HW: Matching Quiz on the Six Big Ideas
     HW: Finding the Six Big Ideas Reflection                              (Assignment)
     Honors HW: Finding an Example (Assignment)

Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Explaining Federalism
     - Six Big Ideas Quiz

     - Understanding Federalism (Assignment)
          + The Founders and Federalism
     - State, National, and Concurrent Powers                      (Assignment) 
​          + Crash Course Government: Federalism
     Honors HW: TED Talk: Bill Gates (Assignment)
          + TED Talk: Bill Gates
Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
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Week 8 - Checks and Balances
(Oct 3-7)

Monday: Checks and Balances Project
     - Checks and Balances Presentation                             (Assignment)
     - Work Time and Presentations
     Honors HW: Presidential Vetoes (Assignment)
​          + Summary of Bills Vetoed
​Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Examining the Separation of Powers
     - Limitations on the Government (Notes)
​          + CBS News: Good Guys With Guns
     - Election/Current Events Update
     HW: Understanding Checks and Balances                           (Assignment)
          + TEDEd - How is Power Divided?
Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
Week 10 - Finish Unit II
(Oct 17-21)

Monday: The Later Amendments
     - Unit II Honors Essay Due
     - Amendments 11-27 (Notes)
     - Election/Current Events Update
     HW: Unit II Test Next Class
          + Unit II Study Guide (Unit II Review)

Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Finish Unit II
     - Unit II Test - The Constitution and its                          Amendments 
          + Wednesday Oct 19th, 2016

Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day

Unit II Notes

Amendments 11-27
File Size: 1552 kb
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Bill of Rights Reference
File Size: 242 kb
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Limitations on the Government
File Size: 1428 kb
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The First 10 Amendments
File Size: 1197 kb
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The Six Big Ideas of the Constitution
File Size: 987 kb
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​Unit II Review

Unit II Honors Essay
File Size: 285 kb
File Type: pdf
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Unit II Study Guide: The Constitution and its Amendments
File Size: 258 kb
File Type: pdf
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Unit II Assignments

Bill of Rights Poster
File Size: 199 kb
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Checks and Balances Presentation
File Size: 209 kb
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Finding an Example
File Size: 196 kb
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Finding the Six Big Ideas
File Size: 238 kb
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Presidential Vetoes
File Size: 198 kb
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Six Big Ideas Discussion
File Size: 235 kb
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State, National, and Concurrent Powers
File Size: 202 kb
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TED Talk: Bill Gates
File Size: 201 kb
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The Constitutions Influence
File Size: 211 kb
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Understanding Checks and Balances
File Size: 223 kb
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Understanding Federalism
File Size: 202 kb
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Unit II Additional Resources

Crash Course Government: Federalism

National Constitution Center

Rights Around the World

Summary of Bills Vetoed

Teaching American History - The Constitution

​TED Talk: Bill Gates

The United States Constitution


Unit I - Foundations of the United States Government

Unit I Course Schedule

Week 1 - Zoo Introduction
(Aug 15-19)
Monday: No School - Summer Vacation
Tuesday: No School - Summer Vacation
Wednesday: ​No Class - Zoo Orientation
Thursday: No Class - Zoo Orientation
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
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Week 4 - Building a Nation
(Sept 5-9)

Monday: No School - Labor Day
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: National Structure
     - Core National Structures (Assignment)
​​     - The Daily Show: 9/11 Episode
     HW: The American "Nation" (Assignment)
          + Up in Arms
     Honors HW: Unit I Essays due next class
Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
Week 2 - Foundations of Our Democracy
(Aug 22-26)
Monday: Roots of Democratic Government
​​     - All About Me (Assignment)
     - Preconceptions about Government                                (Assignment)
     - Defining Governments (Assignment)

     HW: The Magna Carta (Assignment)
​     Honors HW: Unit I Honors Essay (Due 9/12)
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
​
Wednesday: Contemporary Inspirations
​​     - Foundations Democratic Government (Notes)
     - The Mayflower Compact (Assignment)
​     - European Inspirations (Assignment)

     HW: Common Sense (Assignment)
          + Non-Honors Only!
     Honors HW:  The Iroqois Confederacy                                                 (Assignment)
Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No Class - Zoo Project Day
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Week 3 - Creating an American Nation
(Aug 29-Sept 2)

Monday: Forming the Country
     - The Path to Revolution (Notes)
     - Analyzing a Primary Document: The Declaration        of Independence (Assignment)
     HW: Symbols of the Nation (Assignment)
​     Honors HW: Thomas Paine Thesis and Outline
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Forming the Government
     - Analyzing a Primary Document: The Articles of          Confederation (Assignment)
     - The Constitutional Convention (Notes)
​     HW: Bring Electronic Devices Next Class
​     HW: Crash Course: The Constitutional                                   (Assignment)
          + ​Crash Course: The Constitution, The                             Articles, and Federalism
Thursday: No Class "B" Day
​Friday:  No Class - Zoo Project Day
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Week 5 - Finish Unit I
(Sept 12-16)

Monday: The "American Identity"
    - Unit I Honors Essays Due
     - Socratic Discussion - The American "Nation"
     - Core American Values (Assignment)
     HW: Unit I Test - The Foundations of the United                   States Government Next Class
​
Tuesday: No Class "B" Day
Wednesday: Finish Unit I
​     - Review Time

     - Unit I Test - The Foundations of the United                  States Government
           + Wednesday September 16th, 2016
     HW: TED Talk: Lawrence Lessig (Assignment)

Thursday: No Class "B" Day
Friday: No School - Staff Work Day

​Unit I Notes

Foundations of Democratic Government
File Size: 697 kb
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The Articles of Confederation
File Size: 330 kb
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The Constitutional Convention
File Size: 351 kb
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The Declaration of Independence
File Size: 238 kb
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The Path to Revolution
File Size: 829 kb
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​Unit I Review

Unit I Honors Essay
File Size: 371 kb
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Unit I Study Guide: Foundations of US Government
File Size: 218 kb
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US Politcial Map Review
File Size: 390 kb
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"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." 
     - Benjamin Franklin

Unit I Assignments

All About Me
File Size: 199 kb
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Common Sense
File Size: 285 kb
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Core American Values
File Size: 350 kb
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Core National Structures
File Size: 232 kb
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Crash Course: The Constitution
File Size: 237 kb
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Defining Governments
File Size: 198 kb
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European Inspirations
File Size: 414 kb
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Preconceptions about Government
File Size: 227 kb
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Symbols of the Nation
File Size: 199 kb
File Type: pdf
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TED Talk: Lawrence Lessig
File Size: 234 kb
File Type: pdf
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The American "Nation"
File Size: 227 kb
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The Iroquois Confederacy
File Size: 389 kb
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The Magna Carta
File Size: 305 kb
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The Mayflower Compact
File Size: 397 kb
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Unit I Additional Resources

Crash Course: The Constitution

Project Gutenberg: Common Sense

TED Talk: Lawrence Lessig

The Daily Show: 9/11 Episode

Up in Arms


U.S. Government Course Resources

Socratic Seminar Guidelines
File Size: 251 kb
File Type: pdf
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U.S. Government Syllabus - Fall 2016
File Size: 329 kb
File Type: pdf
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US Government Course Forum

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Helpful Websites

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Political News Sources

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