Lesson 1: Preamble & Structure of Government What plan for government does the Constitution create? Summary of the U.S. Constitution, Limited government Preamble Article I Article II Bicameral Article III Article IV: Full Faith & Credit clause Extradition Article V Constitutional amendment process Article VI Supremacy Clause Article VII ratification process Delegated Powers Reserved Powers Write (and then record or perform) a poem, song, cheer, or rap demonstrating your own ideas about the purpose of government. In other words, write your own version of a preamble to the Constitution. Concepts Creativity Presentation Preamble is a copy of the actual preamble OR lacks big ideas Student rehashes preamble with few or no modifications Preamble not presented OR presentation is unprofessional Preamble attempts to convey at least one big idea about government. Student presents the actual preamble but in a creative way. Information is presented professionally. Preamble clearly conveys 2 significant ideas about government work is authentic and modifies ideas in the preamble into a new form. Easy to understand OR aesthetically pleasing. Preamble clearly conveys 3-4 significant ideas about government Student work is authentic and shows deep personal engagement with big ideas. Presentation is clear, confident, and powerful. Lesson 2: Constitutional Compromise & a Bicameral Legislature What determines how each state is represented in the national government? Great Compromise 3/5 Compromise Representation Bicameral House Senate Political district Constituent Redistricting Census gerrymandering Students play redistricting game: www.redistrictinggame.org and must successfully design a legislative district that favors their party while also meeting the requirements of population equality and contiguity. When done, answer the questions below using the google form link posted to google classroom (PT 2.2) What was hard about drawing district lines? How do you think redistricting should be handled, and why?
Application Unit 2 s 2 3 4 5 Student does not attempt to apply concept, or demonstrates lack of understanding Student shows some understanding of goals but struggles to apply concepts. Reflection No reflection offered. Answer focuses on activity w/o expressing opinion on redistricting. Student demonstrates the goals of the game and has some success drawing districts. Answers reflect on activity and show partial understanding of redistricting. Student successfully draws districts to meet goal Answers show clear the complexities of redistricting. Lesson 3: Structure, Power & Function of the Legislative Branch What are the powers and operating procedures of the U.S. Congress? How do partisanship, special interests, and other factors affect the legislative process? Delegated Powers Interstate Commerce Clause Elastic Clause Treaty Ratification Advice & Consent of the Senate Impeachment Legislation Veto & veto override Partisanship Majority Party Minority Party Speaker of the House Standing Committees Filibuster Lobbyist Special Interest Groups Students write model legislation and conduct model congress activity, then respond to reflection prompt: o You are a member of congress. When you ran for office, you promised voters you would work to pass a gun control law. You are one of 188 Democrats and there are currently 247 Republicans. Voters are angry. Write a letter to a constituent someone you represent explaining why you haven t been able to Bill Writing Debate Reflectio n accomplish your goals. Use the following terms in your letter: Legislation, Partisanship, minority party, majority party, Speaker of the House, special interests Student develops basic concept but does not put it in bill format and may lack clear goal. Student offers limited or no contributions. Vocab not applied; little leg. process Student bill has goal but rationale and enforcement mechanisms are unclear. May not follow proper format. Student presents his/her own bill and maintains professional approach during debate. Attempts to describe leg process but does not fully address prompt or applies only 2 terms Student drafts original bill; format is mostly correct. Goal and rational are evident in but enforcement may be weak. Student presents own bill and discuses at least one other bill, showing moderate engagement. Response shows partial understanding of legislative process; 3 terms applied. Student drafts original bill on engaging topic with clear goal, rationale, and enforcement mechanism. Bill is properly formated Student participates in discussion on 3-4 bills, presents own bill clearly & effectively; remains engaged in other bills. Response shows clear legislative process; 4-5 terms are applied.
Lesson 4: The Federal Executive Branch What are the powers of the President and how are these powers exercised through the Executive Branch? 1. I ve got the power & Play by the rules 2. 3 column chart examples of the roles of the president 3. Play Executive Command game: www.icivics.org; join/create account with class code: Marshall13395 4. Complete NY Times Budget Puzzle & the handout that goes with it: http://goo.gl/dck6lf President Vice President 22 nd Amendment Line of Presidential Succession Pardon & amnesty power Veto Veto override Executive Order Cabinet Judicial & cabinet appointment Treasury Department Department of Education Department of Health & Human Services Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Attorney General Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Fiscal Policy Federal Budget Domestic Policy Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Create a pamphlet / guide to the executive branch that details the role and three powers of the president, as well as highlighting at least 3 cabinet departments or executive agencies that we have studied. Pamphlet s may be created using the following formats: folded paper in a brochure style; www.prezi.com (share link with teacher), google slides (share link with me) GROUP PROJECT OPTION: Complete with group BUT include 5 executive powers & 5 agencies Executive Power: Detail /Accuracy Cabinet / Agency Detail / Accuracy Style & Format Presentation is 3 powers presented unclear &/or only accurately; or only 2 partially accurate 1 or fewer power presented; or info inaccurate 1 or fewer agency; or info inaccurate Pamphlet / guide not submitted. Presentation is unclear &/or only partially accurate Information is clear but lacks coherent format Role of 3 agencies / departments described accurately but w/o examples Easy to understand OR aesthetically pleasing. 3 powers accurately & clearly presented Role of 3 agencies / departments clearly presented with examples Aesthetically pleasing & easy to understand.
Lesson 5: Foreign Policy How does the U.S. set and implement its foreign policy? 5. Foreign / Domestic policy handout & foreign Policy note - organizer 6. T-chart organizer & Foreign policy scenario links on website: see section organized under Unit 2, Day 5 7. Foreign Policy Secretary of State Ambassador Treaty NATO NAFTA Foreign Aid Embargo Commander in Chief Department of Defense Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) War Powers Act National Security Agency (NSA) Evaluate a current foreign policy conflict and write a memo making a recommendation to the President. Should the U.S. provide weapons & military support to Ukraine in defense against Russia & Russian separatists? Is the Obama administration correct to end the embargo on Cuba? Should Congress grant President Obama s authorization of force request against ISIL/ISIS? Is Speaker Boehner wrong to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to address congress without President Obama s approval? Understanding of Issue Understanding of Policy Options Reasoning & Recommendation Memo shows Understanding is partial mostly solid but with understanding. small errors. Little to no understanding demonstrated Memo does not address policy options. Memo suggests a policy choice but lacks rationale. Memo considers ONLY pros or ONLY cons of one policy option. Memo suggests a policy choice and attempts to justify it. Memo evaluates pros and cons of one policy option. Memo provides clear argument why one policy choice is correct, without addressing others. Memo show s clear problem Memo evaluates pros & cons of multiple possible actions Memo provides clear reason why one policy choice is BETTER THAN another.
Lesson 6: Article III The Supreme Court How does the Supreme Court interpret and protect the Constitution? 8. Supreme Court Case Organizer 9. Play games: Supreme Decision: www.icivics.org 10. Play game: Argument Wars: www.icivics.org Article III Independent Judiciary Chief Justice Associate Justice Supremacy Clause Marbury v. Madison Judicial Review Constitutional Un Majority Opinion Minority / Dissenting Opinion Concurring Opinion Strict interpretation of the constitution Loose interpretation of the constitution Precedent Write your own supreme court opinion for two cases we have studied. For each: Describe the facts of the case & identify the arguments made by each side. What part of the Constitution does the Court have to interpret? Evaluate each argument made & indicate what you believe are the strongest arguments on each side. Write 2-4 sentence opinion explaining how you would rule in the case if you were a supreme court justice. Your opinion should indicates the part(s) of the constitution that helped you make up your mind. Indicate whether your point of view is consistent with the Majority or Dissenting opinion issued in the case by the actual Supreme Court. Understanding of Fact Scenario Presentation of Constitutional Arguments Reasoning & Opinion Opinion does not describe the facts of the case. Opinion does not identify/explain issues in the case Opinion is unclear and/or does not follow from the facts of the case. Opinion attempts to describe case but is confusing / unclear. Opinion presents arguments only for ONE side. Opinion is clear but not based in the constitution. Opinion presents some facts of case but omits others. Opinion presents arguments on each side Opinion is clear & based on arguments. Opinion clearly presents all relevant facts of the case. Opinion presents & evaluates arguments on both sides of case. Opinion is clear, based on arguments, & identifies actual outcome of case. Lesson 7: Federal Jurisdiction & Structure of Judicial Branch What is the jurisdiction & structure of the Federal Court System? 11. Judicial Branch in a Flash Federal Jurisdiction State Jurisdiction Original Jurisdiction Appellate Jurisdiction Federal District Court Federal Appeals Court Supreme Court Remand Overturn Uphold : Complete Lesson 6
Lesson 8: Free Expression & the First Amendment How has the Supreme Court interpreted the meaning of the first amendment? 12. Judicial Branch in a Flash 1 st amendment Free speech establishment clause free exercise clause Press Petition Assembly Tinker v. Des Moines NY Times v. U.S. prior restraint censorship libel slander Engel v. Vitale (Lessons 8 & 9 combined) Select an issue you care about and develop: 1) a sign/slogan advocating it; 2; a petition you can get other students to sign; and 3) write a letter to the editor about it Create a guide for teachers, principals, and coaches that explains the separation between church and state. Indicate what religious or prayer based activities ARE permitted within school, and give examples of activities that the constitution and courts prohibit Annotate & evaluate the text of the 2 nd amendment. Explain why the amendment refers to the need for a wellregulated militia. Do you believe that government has the power to regulate the types of weapons that people may own? Under what scenarios would you sue someone else? Is the legal process the best way to solve disputes? Why or why not. Evaluate the Supreme Court s ruling in Roe v. Wade. What was the basis for the decision. Do you agree with the court that the constitution protects a woman s right to choose an abortion? Why or why not? Understanding of amendment Analysis & Application Submission shows little to no constitution. Submission lacks an argument / opinion about the amendment in question. Rubric 2 3 4 5 Submission Submission shows partial shows clear understanding constitution of constitution constitution Analysis purely opinion based OR merely descriptive without an argument Analysis is clear & offers both a point of view & a rationale. Submission shows deep & nuanced Analysis offers insightful, wellreasoned, & evidence based argument. Lesson 9: Privacy & Individual Rights Why is the interpretation of the 2 nd, 9 th, and 10 th amendments controversial? 13. Judicial Branch in a Flash 2 nd Amendment Right to bear arms Militia National Rifle Association 3 rd amendment 9 th Amendment Right to Privacy Roe v. Wade (see above) 7 th amendment / right to sue 8 th Amendment / cruel & unusual punishment 10 th amendment / Reserved Powers
Lesson 10: Due Process How have the courts upheld the due process of law for individuals accused of a crime? 14. Judicial Branch in a Flash Due Process Probable cause Reasonable suspicion Warrant Search & seizure 4 th amendment Mapp v. Ohio New Jersey v. TLO 5 th amendment Double Jeopardy Self-incrimination / right to remain silent Miranda v. Arizona Private Property Eminent Domain 6 th Amendment Speedy trial Gideon v. Wainwright 14 th Amendment Equal Protection Clause Using www.icivics.org, play the game do I have a right. In the game, you play the role of a lawyer and must figure out which rights your clients have. o Grade based on game performance as recorded by icivics Lesson 11: Amending the Constitution In what ways has the U.S. Constitution evolved over time? 15. Constitutional amendment process Ratification Constitution as a living document 14 th Amendment Dred Scott v. Sanford Plessy v. Ferguson Brown v. Board of Education 13 th Amendment 15 th Amendment 18 th Amendment 19 th Amendment 21 st Amendment 22 nd Amendment 26 th Amendment If you could wave a magic wand and make one amendment to the constitution, what would it be and why? Explain the steps required to pass a amendment. Concept Understandi ng 2 3 4 5 Amendment Amendment is confusingly worded clear and relevant and/or redundant. but may be Amendment is hard to follow or is itself un. Description shows limited or no amendment process Student indicates that amendments may be hard to pass or address ONLY the role of states or of Congress redundant. Description shows partial the role of states and Congress in ratification of amenmdnets. Proposed amendment is clear, relevant & meaningful. Description shows clear understanding of role of States and Congress in the amendment process; including thresholds for ratification.