Teaching AP Government in a Shortened Semester- Unit One Resources

To start off the series, I wanted to make a resource page; for myself, for my students, and for any teacher out there who needs it. This is what I will be drawing from as I plan this unit. Today, I took all the stickies off my CED and put the information in a document. I may or may not use the resources here. I have listened to all the podcasts, watched all the clips and videos, and have done all the readings. I am also using Google Classroom to help facilitate discussions outside of class and allow collaboration. This is my first time using it so send positive thoughts…

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Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy-  ~8 class periods

Enduring Understandings (Focus Areas so I don’t get too off track)

• A balance between governmental power and individual rights has been a hallmark of American political development. 
• The Constitution emerged from the debate about the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation as a blueprint for limited government. 
• The Constitution created a competitive policy-making process to ensure the people’s will is represented and that freedom is preserved.
• Federalism reflects the dynamic distribution of power between national and state governments. 

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AP Writing Skills:

• Analytical Reading
• Argumentative FRQ Writing- I am going to focus on writing a defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning. 
• SCOTUS application

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Required Documents: 

• Declaration of Independence
• US Constitution
• Federalist 10
• Brutus 1
• Articles of Confederation
• Constitution
  • Electoral College
  • Three-Fifths Compromise
  • Importation of enslaved persons
  • Article V- the Amendment process
  • Commerce Clause
  • Necessary and Proper Clause
• Federalist 51
  • Why Madison Thought Ambition Was A Good Thing
• 10th Amendment
• 14th Amendment

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Supreme Court Cases:

• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)* (Video)
• United States v. Lopez (1995)* (Lesson for Class Discussion)

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Podcasts:

• 1.1 Declaration and Magna Carta– 28 minutes
• 1.2/3 Federalist and Anti Federalists– 30 minutes
• 1.2/3 Federalist vs. The Anti Federalists– 55 minutes
• 1.4 Articles of Confederation– 22 minutes 
• 1.5 Constitution*- 38 minutes 
• 1.5 Electoral College– 17 minutes
• 1.6 Checks and Balances– 15 minutes
• 1.6 Impeachment (Andrew Johnson)- 19 minutes
• 1.8 America’s Education Problem (NCLB 2001) ** Google Classroom Discussion
• 1.8 The Fourteenth Amendment– 20 minutes
• 1.9 One Nation, Under Money 53 minutes
  • Commerce Clause
• 1.9 Federalism 23 minutes

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Videos:

1.7 Constitution USA- A More Perfect Union (57 Minutes)– Video Guide and Resources

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Other resources:

• Race to Ratify- iCivics 

You must be logged in to My AP to access the following:

• Analytical Reading Activity Topic 1.1: Ideals of Democracy Required Document: excerpts from The Declaration of Independence

• Analytical Reading Activity Topic 1.3: Government Power and Individual Rights-Required Documents: excerpts from Federalist 10 & excerpts from Brutus 1

• Analytical Reading Activity Topic 1.4: Challenges of the Articles of Confederation Required Document: excerpts from Articles of Confederation

• Analytical Reading Activity Topic 1.6: Principles of American Government Required Document: excerpts from Federalist 51 *I will skip New York v. Clinton for time sake

• Analytical Reading Activity Topic 1.8: Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism Required Document: The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

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