BELL RINGERSAmerican Government

THE GREATEST COUNTRY

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMwF_Si7T4I

QUESTION:

•Is the United States the “Greatest Country in the World? Why or why not? Justify your answer.

THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5QPncdkTM

QUESTION

•The US Constitution is based on how many principles? Once you have

answered, in your own words explain why it is important to know the principles upon

which the government is founded.

Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Federalism, and Judicial Review

ENLIGHTENMENT

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vkx7hNXE3Y

QUESTION

•In your own words, write five (5) sentences

that explain the enlightenment.

I HAVE LOOKED FOR OUR RIGHTS

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDzwtl5Z2cA#t=17

QUESTION

•What is the debate between Adams and Dickerson about? Who makes

the best argument and why?

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a36F6vwB-t0

QUESTION

•What do Adams and Franklin use to argue is the British

government’s failure that justifies seeking independence?

THE PREAMBLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5d3haRG7M

QUESTION

•What is the preamble and what is its purpose?

•What does the preamble state about the United States

and should we learn it?

THE ELITE MEDIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_i9fw43Moo

THE QUESTION

•Has the media lost their way by worrying about ratings and funding

instead of serving their stabled purpose to inform the citizens of the U.S.? Why or why not? Justify your

answer.

DEFINE

•Rule of Law•Separation of Powers•Limited Government

•Popular Sovereignty•Federalism•Checks and Balances•Judicial Review

DEMOCRACY AND FREE-ENTERPRISE

• “There is a huge misunderstanding in this country between what constitutes a "right to worship" and what constitutes "right to religious freedom" or the freedom to actually live your religion outside of churches. This country was absolutely founded on the right to have religious liberty and it has being steadily eroded away at for decades. This now merging with the rights of private businesses to conduct themselves in a manner they see fit, including refusing service. If someone doesn't like it, the genius of the free market is that there will be someone there to receive that person's business. To make laws chipping away at both the freedoms of religious freedom and private business ownership because of hurt feelings is a giant stomp to the throat of democracy. We are setting ourselves up on the classic path to dictatorship. Study all the great civilizations of the world and after 200 or so years, they all end up in a very similar position.” ~Jennifer Sanders Peterson Jacobs, Author

QUESTION

•After reading this quote, and comparing the free-enterprise system and democracy on our last test, do you see a contradiction in the “real world ideals” and the “short falls of reality” within our government today? Do you agree with the statement? Why or why not? As citizens, and future voters, do you feel like you can do anything about it? Why or why not?

OBAMACARE

OBAMACARE

•What do you think is the message of this cartoon? Do you agree with it? Why

or why not?

3 BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

• With your partner, play Paper, Rock, Scissors for 5 minutes and keep score of who wins each game, including the ties

• Good introduction to the 3 Branches of Government/ Separation of Powers. After 5 minutes of play, wins and ties should be roughly equal….balance of power. And students can associate Paper with the Legislative branch, Rock with the Executive branch, and Scissors with the Judicial Branch

TODAY IN HISTORY

• http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do

FEDERALISM

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU4A2ZrllNo

QUESTION

•How is federalism represented in this

cartoon? Use examples from the video to support

your answer.

MCCULLOCH V. MARYLAND

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYxtCTIQNb4

QUESTION

•Explain the significance of McCulloch v Maryland. How does it affect us

today? Use examples from the video.

AFFECTS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

QUESTION

What is the purpose of minor parties? Are they effective?

Why or why not? Use evidence from the video to

justify your answer.

MEDIAN VOTER THEOREM

QUESTION

•Why do all politicians sound the same during elections? What is the purpose of having elections or political parties if they all are

going to agree? •Five minutes/Five sentences

POLITICAL SPECTRUM TICKET OUT THE DOOR

Rex Tugwell, an advisor to president FDR, said that different attitudes toward change characterize adherents to different political philosophies. He wrote that if a community needed a new train station, or education reform, crime control, etc.

1. ____________ would like to rebuild the train station

2. ____________ would like to rebuild the train station while the train is running;

3. ____________ prefer to blow up the train station and forgo service until the new structure is built

4. _____________ would prefer to keep the old station, being satisfied with it,

5. While, ____________ would abandon the station entirely since they do not approve of trains in the entirely since they do not approve of trains in the

first place.

INTEREST GROUPS

QUESTION

•What is the purpose of interest groups and how do

they affect politics? Five minutes five sentences.

GERRYMANDERING

QUESTION

•What is your initial reaction to the above? Do you think that the statement is true? Why or why not? Support your opinion.

•5 sentences in 5 minutes.

“As a mapmaker, I can have more of an impact on an election than a campaign…more of an impact than a candidate. When I, as a mapmaker, have more of an impact on an election than

the voters…the system is out of whack.” (the Gerrymander, 2006)

-David Winston, GOP redistricting consultant in 1990

THE ROLE OF MEDIA

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9avWGxCQo0Y&index=6&list=PL9D51FE89BAC890AB

QUESTIONS

1. What is the equal-time rule? And what is the reason behind it?

2. What was the idea behind fairness doctrine? Do you think the fairness doctrine should be reinstated?

Why or why no?3. Are you satisfied with political coverage from the

media? Why or why not?

Five minutes to answer.

PROPOGANDA

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2jrbsQLuw0

• While you watch this video write down ONLY the type of propaganda (I will point out the first one to you.)

QUESTION

•What is the purpose of propaganda? Do you think it affects the decisions we

make each day? Why or why not? Use evidence from the video to support your

answer. •Five minutes, five sentences.

POWERS OF CONGRESS

QUESTION

•Why, do YOU believe, the Constitution gives Congress, and not the President, the power to declare

war? Do you agree with this power? Why or why not?