Week 6 Syllabus

Mr. Ditzenberger, American Government
Time: 5 Periods, 3:30 hours
Unit 1Lesson: U.S. Constitution
Week: 6 Dates: September 17-21
Objectives:
1. Students will list and analyze the basic constitutional principles of government.
2. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the documents that influenced American government through answering questions about the basic and main ideas in each document.
3. Students will research their own governmental system regarding changes that have been or are being made.
4. Students will learn about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how they lead to the need for a new governing document.
Materials: Textbook, http://ditzenberger.blogspot.com/index.html; textbook, lectures, videos

Monday
Opener: When is a government considered independent? Can any province or territory, like N. Ireland or Aceh, simply declare its independence?
Review of Foundational Documents.

Tuesday.
1. Opener: If you were asked to write a constitution, what are some of the ways you would design the new government?
2. Quiz on Foundational Documents
3. Questions 2 and 3 on page 50. Turn in tomorrow if not done in class.

Wednesday
1. Opener: Nixon Case. Homework: Turn in.
2. Separation of Powers and Limited Government Video.
3. Balance of Powers Video.
4. Work on 1st quarter project if time remains.

Thursday
1. Opener: Chalk talk: What do you know about how your government separates and balances power and allows for changes to its government? What questions do you have that you would like to find out?
2. Read section two and complete the entire Section 2 Review on page 55.
3. Homework: Find a current event that relates to a change in your passport’s country’s government-a new law, a significant court case, a change in international policy, etc. Due
Monday.

Friday
Opener: Opportunity Quiz
Shadow Without Substance (shortened version)-lecture.
Compromise Lecture