Paul Sargent Makes History
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  • AP European History
    • Historical Reasoning Skills
    • Thematic Learning Objectives >
      • Interaction of Europe and the World
      • Poverty and Prosperity
      • Objective Knowledge and Subjective Visions
      • States and Other Institutions of Power
      • Individual and Society
      • National and European Identity
    • Concept Outline
    • Period 1: 1450-1648
    • Period 2: 1648-1815
    • Period 3: 1815-1914
    • Period 4: 1914-Present
    • Exam Review Resources
  • AP Government
    • Concept Outline
    • Constitutional Underpinnings
    • Political Beliefs and Behaviors
    • Linkage Institutions
    • Institutions of Government
    • Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
    • Exam Review
  • Government and Economics
    • Foundations of Government
    • The Constitution
    • Executive Branch
    • The Judicial Branch
    • Voting and Elections
  • My Blog

Foundations of Government

Foundations of Government Youtube Playlist

Description

In this unit, you will be introduced to the concept of government and how politics works. A functioning republic (democracy if you prefer) relies on the educated participation of its citizens. Before you are old enough to participate in the political process, you will investigate the purposes and functions of government and analyze different forms of government that exist in the world.

My Videos

Government vs. Politics
Introduction to Democracy
Organizing Governments
Limiting Governments


Important Files

Government and Economics Syllabus
File Size: 6563 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

John Locke and the Social Contract
File Size: 65 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Class Links

iCivics: Immigration Nation
​iCivics: Responsibility Launcher

Interesting Articles

  • Do you know enough to pass the U.S. citizenship test?​
  • Study: US is an oligarchy, not a democracy
  • Rulers of Time
  • 3 Things to Know about Birthright Citizenship
  • Nobel Prize Winning Economist: We're Headed for Oligarchy

Homework Assignments

Assignment 1: Understanding the Course Structure

  • Review syllabus
  • Join Google Classroom course (the class code was handed out in class)

Assignment 2: Can You Pass the Citizenship Test?

  • Take a practice citizenship test here
  • Take a screenshot of your score and save it to your Google Drive
  • What Is the Difference between Government and Politics?

Assignment 3: Why Study Government?

  • Turn in screenshot of your citizenship test score to Google Classroom (don't worry, your score isn't part of your grade)
  • Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics
  • In your notebook, list 5-10 ways government (federal, state, and/or local) impacts your life directly

Assignment 4: Participating in Your Community

  • Sign up for online resources using the document on Google Classroom
  • Finish playing Activate! on iCivics
  • Take a screenshot of your score for the game and submit it to Google Classroom​

​Assignment 5: Civics in Our Lives

  • Log on to your textbook's web site using the information provided on Google Classroom
  • Bookmark the textbook site in your browser
  • Read chapter 1, section 1 (Civics in Our Lives) and take notes
  • Complete guided reading handout if it will help you organize your notes


Assignment 6: Who Are U.S. Citizens?

  • Read chapter 1, section 2 (Who Are U.S. Citizens?) in your textbook and take notes
  • Complete guided reading handout if it will help you organize your notes

​Assignment 7: The American People Today

  • Read chapter 1 section 3 (The American People Today) in your textbook and take notes
  • Complete guided reading handout if it will help you organize your notes

Assignment 8: Study for Chapter 1 Test

  • Review your notes from chapter 1
  • Study the Google Slides presentation you created in class
  • To check your understanding, review the questions in your textbook at the end of chapter 1

Assignment 9: Why Americans Have Governments

  • Read chapter 2 section 1 (Why Americans Have Governments) and take notes
  • Use graphic organizer if helpful

Assignment 10: Declaring Independence

  • Read the Declaration of Independence​
  • Answer the questions on this handout in your notebook

Assignment 11: Types of Governments


Assignment 12: Liberals and Conservatives

  • Take the following online quizzes to determine your political leanings:
    • Political Ideology Survey #1
    • Political Ideology Survey #2
  • Watch this video and complete this handout:

Assignment 13: Prepare for Unit Test

  • Review class notes from this week
  • Have ready to turn in tomorrow:
    • Notes and/or graphic organizers (assignments 3. 5. 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12)
    • Declaration of Independence questions from assignment 10
    • Who Rules? handout
    • Questions from political ideology video (assignment 12)

Videos to Get You Thinking

Paul Sargent Makes History

  • Home
  • My YouTube Channel
  • AP European History
    • Historical Reasoning Skills
    • Thematic Learning Objectives >
      • Interaction of Europe and the World
      • Poverty and Prosperity
      • Objective Knowledge and Subjective Visions
      • States and Other Institutions of Power
      • Individual and Society
      • National and European Identity
    • Concept Outline
    • Period 1: 1450-1648
    • Period 2: 1648-1815
    • Period 3: 1815-1914
    • Period 4: 1914-Present
    • Exam Review Resources
  • AP Government
    • Concept Outline
    • Constitutional Underpinnings
    • Political Beliefs and Behaviors
    • Linkage Institutions
    • Institutions of Government
    • Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
    • Exam Review
  • Government and Economics
    • Foundations of Government
    • The Constitution
    • Executive Branch
    • The Judicial Branch
    • Voting and Elections
  • My Blog