U'S' Government

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U.S. Government

• Activity 21- For class discussion, what do you
  feel are the pros and cons of a compulsory voting
  law? Would you be for or against such a law? Why?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 7
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U.S. Government

• Activity 22- For class discussion, what factors
  do you feel may contribute to a persons sense of
  alienation and, therefore, to nonvoting? What
  factors contribute to an individuals sense of
  political efficacy?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 7
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U.S. Government

• Activity 23- Using our school library, research
  the voter turnout in the national elections of
  tow other nations. Make a table comparing results
  from these nations with voter turnout in the U.S.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 7
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U.S. Government

• Activity 24- In a class discussion, consider why
  you believe secret ballots are vital to free
  elections? Do you agree that vote-by-mail
  elections threaten the principle of secret
  ballots? Why or why not?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 8
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U.S. Government

• Activity 25- Do you favor the closed primary or
  the open primary to nominate candidates? Why?
  Please write in paragraph form, with supporting
  reasons.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 8
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U.S. Government

• Activity 26- In a class debate format, we will
  discuss this topic All campaigns for public
  office be financed entirely with public funds.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 8
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U.S. Government

• Activity 27- Select an important national,
  state, or local issue and list five pressure
  groups that might be involved on this issue.
  Compare the groups positions on the issue, and
  look for any persuasive techniques.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 9
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U.S. Government

• Activity 28- In a class discussion, compare the
  advantages, and disadvantages of the following as
  sources of information about public affairs
  television news programs, newspapers, materials
  from pressure groups.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 9
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U.S. Government

• Activity 29- --Class discussion-- In deciding on
  which candidate to vote for, the constitution
  sets out three qualifications for serving in the
  Congress. What other characteristics do you feel
  are important? Should any of these become
  requirements?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 10
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U.S. Government

• Activity 30- Find out if the congressional
  districts in our state are gerrymandered. Check
  newspaper reports from the last redistricting. If
  they are, to which partys benefit?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 10
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U.S. Government

• Activity 31- Write a biographical sketch of our
  two Senators and Representative. Include the
  committee assignments and special legislative
  interests of the members, when each was elected
  and by how many votes.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 11
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U.S. Government

• Activity 32- In your base groups, select a bill
  now before either house of Congress. Trace its
  origins and follow its progress through the law
  making process. Include which pressure groups
  support and oppose the bill as well as which
  Representatives and Senators supported the bill
  and why.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 11
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U.S. Government

• Activity 33- In your base groups, use current
  newspaper articles to show examples of an
  introduction of a bill, committee hearings,
  conference committee action, signing or by the
  President. Put articles into a flow chart.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 11
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U.S. Government

• Activity 34- In debate format, we will debate
  whether or not filibusters should be banned from
  the Senate.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 12
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U.S. Government

• Activity 35- Prepare a brief summary of a new
  tax proposal before the current Congress. Include
  who proposed it and why. What is the purpose of
  the new tax plan? Whom would it affect and how?
  Which pressure groups support it and oppose it?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 12
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U.S. Government

• Activity 36- In your base groups, investigate
  whether or not Congress is considering any bills
  regarding immigration or naturalization. Prepare
  a brief summary and outline the pros and cons of
  the bill.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 12
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U.S. Government

• Activity 37- Class discussion Great Britain has
  no written constitution. Parliament may pass any
  law it believes to be necessary. Do you agree
  with this? Why does the constitution limit
  Congresss lawmaking powers?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 13
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U.S. Government

• Activity 38- In a brief summary, tell me how the
  Republicans and Democrats nominate their
  presidential elector candidates.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 13
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U.S. Government

• Activity 39- Write your own platform to run for
  election in your class. Make a list of policies
  you would follow and the actions you would take
  if elected. Tell me what you have learned about
  party platforms.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 13
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U.S. Government

• Activity 40- Draw a chart illustrating the line
  of succession under the 25th amendment. How many
  government officials are in line? Illustrate
  cabinet offices.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 14
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U.S. Government

• Activity 41- In one page I want you to speculate
  on the type of assistance a President would need
  to accomplish all of his duties in office.
  Include what the primary purpose of each is, who
  the key figures in each office are as well as the
  importance of a National Security Council is.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 14
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U.S. Government

• Activity 42- Read the Personality Profile on
  George Washington. In discussion, tell me why you
  believe he was the overwhelming choice for
  President? What were some key issues he faced?
  What was his approach to foreign affairs?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 14
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U.S. Government

• Activity 43- Think about this statement The
  President shall be allowed a single, six-year
  term of office. We will have two columns on the
  chalkboard. In the first, list all the reasons
  you favor this. In the second, list all the
  reasons you feel against.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 14
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U.S. Government

• Activity 44- In your base groups list the
  characteristics needed to be President today.
  Examine the eight steps of the original electoral
  system. What characteristics would have been
  needed to be elected under the system.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 15
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U.S. Government

• Activity 45- Class discussion Talk about the
  major events in the electoral process between
  November and January. How much media attention is
  given. Discuss how electors are chosen. Do you
  feel this process should be altered.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 15
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U.S. Government

• Activity 46- Draw a political cartoon
  illustrating one of the major defects in the
  electoral college. Remember, style, content,
  point of view, and approach are more important
  than artistic ability.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 15
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U.S. Government

• Activity 47- On the chalk board, name and write
  down the 13 cabinet offices. Discuss the purpose
  of each office. How has the cabinet grown since
  its inception in 1789?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 15
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U.S. Government

• Activity 48- Imagine that you have just won the
  Presidency. You must now present the Senate with
  your nominees for Secretary of Defense,
  Education, and the Head of the EPA. As President
  what qualifications would students look for in
  nominees for each appointment?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 16
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U.S. Government

• Activity 49- Each of you will give a brief oral
  report on one example of a presidential pardon,
  reprieve, commutation or grant of amnesty. What
  was the significance of the case? How was the
  Presidents decision received by the general
  public? Do you think the Presidents
  decision was justified? Why or why not?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 16
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U.S. Government

• Activity 50- In your base groups, evaluate and
  tell me about the Iranian hostage crisis. What
  principles of international diplomacy were
  violated by this action? What measures did the
  U.S. take? What measure would you have taken as
  secretary of state?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 16
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U.S. Government

• Activity 51- In your base groups, each of you
  will prepare an oral report on the history of
  U.S. foreign policy in one of the following
  regions The Americas, Asia, Europe, and the
  Middle East

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 16
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U.S. Government

• Activity 52- You will write a pretend letter to
  the editor supporting or opposing one of the
  following proposals (1) U.S. Foreign Aid should
  be distributed according to the politics of the
  country, and (2) The U.S. should withdraw its
  military bases in Europe and let Europe defend
  itself.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 16
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U.S. Government

• Activity 53- We will hold a debate on the
  following topic State courts should be dissolved
  and replaced by a unified national system. We
  will conclude by discussing the supremacy of
  federal courts and the history behind their
  establishment.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 17
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U.S. Government

• Activity 54- Find out where your federal
  appellate court is located. Who are the judges?
  What are some of the landmark cases they have
  heard? Prepare your findings for class.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 17
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U.S. Government

• Activity 55- You each research state capitals.
  You will be responsible for learning about one or
  more of the state capitals. Present your
  findings. What single characteristic do a
  majority of the capitals share?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 18
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U.S. Government

• Activity 56- Looking at the three methods of
  selecting judges on the chalkboard, describe the
  advantages and disadvantages of each method.
  Which system do you think is the most equitable?
  Why?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 18
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U.S. Government

• Activity 57- Write a short paragraph on an
  important common law precedent. What was the
  origin of this precedent? How has it been applied
  in the courts?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 19
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U.S. Government

• Activity 58- In your base groups, two of your
  groups will explore the French Presidency and the
  other two the French Parliament. Tell me what
  your role is in the French government. What are
  your powers? What effect do you have on the role
  of the President/
  Parliament?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 20
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U.S. Government

• Activity 59- On the chalkboard, list the
  economic reforms carried out by Great Britains
  Labor Party in the 1990s Discuss how these
  reforms are the result of both an economic and
  political philosophy. How does socialism figure
  into this?

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 20
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U.S. Government

• Activity 60- Choose a nation, other than the
  U.S. and follow the economic affairs of that
  nation. How is it similar or different to the
  U.S.? Do they trade with the U.S.? Write it all
  in a paragraph.

Mr. Kirk U.S.Government Week 20
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Web Sites (www.csun.edu/hcedu013/plans.htm)

• Big Sky Lesson Plans
• Blue Webn Learning Sites Library
• Consider the Source Historical Records in the
  Classroom
• Constitution Day
• EcEd Web
• Government Lesson Plans- Ask Eric
• IBM Lesson Plans and Internet Activities
• Judges in the Classroom Lesson Plans and
  Activities- (social studies) by McRel
• Library in the Sky Lesson Plans
• Media Lesson Plans
• Mock Trials
• Mr. Donns U.S. History Activities
• Multicultural Pavillion Teachers Corner
• Multicultural Activity Archives
• Primary Sources and Activities
• Smithsonian Institute Lesson Plans Social
  Studies
• Special Units and Themes
• Stock Market Project and Activities
• Using Primary Resources

Mr. Kirk- Websites