U.S. Government

Fall 2003

Jan 27

• Orientation
• Discussion of Terrorism in the U.S. and world
• Watch the State of the Union Address
  Click here to watch video or read discussion of speech
  Class discussion of speech
  Use the outline form to write a 3 paragraph outline of the three most important parts of the presidents address.
  Assignment due on Monday, Feb. 3

• Quiz - State of the Union
• Discuss/Watch Secretary Powell's speech to the United Nations
  Notes
• Class discussion of philosophical roots of American government
  Socrates - Plato - Aristotle

• Discuss War in Iraq
• Continue Class discussion of philosophical roots of American government
  Socrates - Plato - Aristotle
• Friday, no school

• Monday, Presidents Day
• Essay Assignment - Due Monday, Feb 24
  Would you rather be free or happy. Use the online form to answer this question, drawing from the knowledge you have gained about Plato, Social Darwinism and Utopian governments.
  Click here to open the essay form.
  Click here to view completed essay's

• Review/Study Ch2
  Quiz on Vocab and Chapter content this week
• Click here for Ch 2 Vocabulary (PowerPoint)
• Political Cartoon Assignment (In Class)
• EMail to one or both U.S. Senators on the pending nomination of Miguel Estrada to the Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington D.C.
  State your opinion and reasons for your opinion. Spelling, grammar, punctuation count.
  Print copy of your email and turn-in to Mr. Schneemann. Click below for email addresses.
  Dianne Feinstein, Senator (Moderate)
  Barbara Boxer, Senator (Radical Liberal)
• Martin Luther Kind address, "I have a dream"
  Listen to the "I Have a Dream" Speech
  • Listen to speech or ...........
  • Read the text of the speech
  • Pick the 3 most important parts of the speech and use the outline form to explain your choices

• Report cards Friday
• Declaration of Independence
  Read, paraphrase and discuss in class
• Declaration of Independence Quiz
  Click here after activation by Mr. Schneemann
• Begin study of Constitution of the U.S.

• Review Chapter 2
• Video, "A More Perfect Union"
• Current Events
  United Nations, Iraq and terrorist issues

• Continue discussion of issues surrounding the writing of the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention
• President's address to the nation
  Listen to President's Address and write a 1 page reflective essay, stating your opinion on what the President had to say (Do not use 1st person, I, me, etc)
  Click here to access the speech
• Cesar Chavez was a great American who made many contributions to American society and culture. Visit the internet site below, or another site of your choosing, and write a 1 page essay explaining the contributions he made to make America a better place for us all. Type Essay!
• Link to Cesar Chavez web site
• Holiday Friday, Cesar Chavez Birthday
• Marcus Martin, a student in period 4, has written an article in the school newspaper concerning college scholarships. Read this article and write a letter to the editor of the paper, commenting on Marcus' article. Your response should be typed and grammatically correct. Make sure each paragraph has a topic sentence and supporting details. Make sure spelling and punctuation are correct.
  Submit your letter to Mr. Schneemann for credit.
  Due Monday, Mar 24

• Review Ch2
• Quiz Ch2
• Quiz Ch2 Vocabulary
• Lecture - Government Overview (Not from text)
  Must be present for lecture or get notes from friend
• Quiz, Government of U.S. overview
• Begin discussion an study of U.S. Constitution
  Outline and Quiz

• Begin study of U.S. Constitution
• Outline and paraphrase Constitution
  Click here for text of the Constitution
• Lecture on Consitution
• Be prepared for Constitution quiz this week.
  Not possible to pass without a Const. outline.

• Easter Vacation

• Discuss the Bill of Rights
• Star Testing
• Make-ups

• Click the link below and write an essay that outlines your position on guns and gun control. Focus on the Second Amendment issue and provide supporting evidence for your argument.
  • Click here to submit your essay
  • Click here to view completed essays
• Star Testing again next week

• Star Testing for under-classmen
• Student activities for Seniors
• Review/Study Amendments to the Constitution

• Review Amendments
• Amendments Study Guide
• This week we will take the following tests
  Ch3
  Ch3 vocab
  Amendments

• Study Chapter 8 "Participation in Government"
  Citizenship, immigration and naturalization
• Get make-ups done. Do not wait till the last minute!!!

• Mon & Tues Memorial Day Holiday
• Finish Ch8
• Ch8 Quiz (Be Prepared)
• Video on U.S. Immigration

• Quiz Ch8 on Mon.
• Quiz Ch8 Vocab on Tues
• ALL MAKE-UPS MUST BE COMPLETED THIS WEEK
  NO MAKE-UPS AFTER FRIDAY
• Begin study Ch14 "The Organization of Congress"
• Quiz on Monday 6-9 (chapter and vocabulary)

• Quiz Ch14
• Quiz Ch14 Vocan
• Review for final 100 questions
  50 questions Thursday
  50 questions Friday

• Final Exams