1. United States
Government

2. U.S. Government
Activity #1- Please write your own social contract in which you express your feelings about what should be required of members of a political society, and what government should provide the people. As discussed, put it in chart form.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 1

3. U.S. Government
Activity #2- We will conduct our own classroom convention in which we will discuss the different classifications of government. Our goal is to decide what we think is the best form of government. Using a chart separate by heading (1.) Geographic distribution of power (2.) relationship between the executive, and legislative, and (3) the number of persons who can take part in the governing process
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 1

4. U.S. Government
Activity #3- Create a poster that illustrates one of the five basic concepts of democracy discussed. The posters should contain both words and images to communicate your ideas about how American society can best fulfill the concept you have chosen.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 1

5. U.S. Government
Activity #4- Pretend it is 1789 and write a letter to one of the Framers in which you express your opinion on the constitution. Express what you believe are the positive and negative features of it. Give any suggestions you make have for improvements.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 2

6. U.S. Government
Activity #5- In your groups, choose the term that does not belong and explain why it does not belong.
1. (a)Manga Carta (b)Albany Plan of Union (c)English Bill of Rights (d)Petition of Right
2. (a)Articles of Confederation (b)Virginia Plan (c)New Jersey Plan (d)Connecticut Compromise
3. (a)limited government (b)popular sovereignty (c)ratification (d)representative government
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 2

7. U.S. Government
Activity #6- In your groups, rethink about Patrick Henry, and when he refused to attend the Constitutional Convention. He stated “I smell a rat in Philadelphia tending toward monarchy.” Why might he have felt this way? Write your answer in essay form.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 2

8. U.S. Government
Activity #7- As a large group activity, you will generate a list of as many countries as possible. Each student will be given a different country to research to determine the country’s form of government.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 3

9. U.S. Government
Activity #8- In your small groups read and discuss the issues of the Supreme Court decision Wallace V. Jaffree, Use it as an example of majority rule and minority rights as well as individual freedom
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 3

10. U.S. Government
Activity #9- Each student will choose a colony and write a short report on who founded it, why, and the type (s) of government it had until the revolutionary war.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 3

11. U.S. Government
Activity #10- Using current news sources, research one of the several current proposals to amend the constitution. Why have it’s proponents offered that amendment? Present your findings.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 4

12. U.S. Government
Activity #11- In your groups prepare a chart to show (a) the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances (b) the formal amendment process and (c) the informal amendment process.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 4

13. U.S. Government
Activity #12- Write a mock letter to our states Budget Director. Get a copy of the current budget for Ohio. Find out how much money we receive in grants. Which types of projects are most heavily funded: those for education or highways
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 5

14. U.S. Government
Activity #13- Do you agree that the law of libel and slander should be more tolerant of public officials than of private persons? Why or why not? Also in what ways have some of the Supreme Court’s decisions directly affected you?
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 5

15. U.S. Government
Activity #14- Using current periodicals and newspapers, investigate four civil rights cases currently before the Supreme Court. What are the facts of each case? What constitutional issues are involved? How would you decide the case?
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 5

16. U.S. Government
Activity #15- In a class forum, respond to this question: Those who advocate the destruction of this country’s free institutions are not entitled to the protections set out in the constitution.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 5

17. U.S. Government
Activity #16- Talk to a local police officer about the Miranda rule. Find out under what circumstances and at which point during an arrest the warning must be read to the suspect.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 6

18. U.S. Government
Activity #17- In a class debate set up, talk about the following topic: The Death Penalty should be (made legal/ eliminated) in this state; also that the laws of this state be amended to (allow/forbid) the live televising of criminal trials.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 6

19. U.S. Government
Activity #18- In a short paragraph tell if you think election laws should be changed to make it easier for candidates of minor parties to get on ballots of the states? Why or why not?
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 6

20. U.S. Government
Activity #19- From your local newspaper, collect political cartoons about political parties, candidates and/ or elections. Write a brief analysis on each cartoon. We will display on the bulletin board.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 7

21. U.S. Government
Activity #20- Draw your own political cartoon about political parties. Use newspaper stories and magazine articles for ideas.
Mr. Kirk
U.S.Government
Week 7