Elmore County School System

Elmore County School System 12th Grade American Government: Democracy in Action Curriculum Guide

Revised May 2005

Written by

2005 Elmore County Curriculum Committee 2

TWELFTH GRADE United States Government: Democracy in Action Curriculum Guide

United States Government is a one-semester required course for Grade 12. Its goal is to develop civic competence and participation in all students. In this course, students use the knowledge and analytical thinking skills learned in the Grades 10-11 United States History courses to focus on the origins, structure, and functions of government at all levels in the nation. Emphasis is placed on intellectual factors that influenced the development of a republic based on the rule of law, freedom of opportunity, individual liberty, and representative democracy. The course also includes a detailed study of the Constitution of the United States and its provisions. Students go beyond the acquisition of facts to develop skills for collection, in-depth analysis, and interpretation of information important to the study of government. Students in the Grade 12 United States Government course engage in analysis of primary resources, including those specific to the founding of the United States, speeches, landmark Supreme Court cases, and relevant political commentaries.

Twelfth-grade students have achieved developmental maturity sufficient for in-depth analysis of societal issues, problems, and solutions. These students have the potential to become participating citizens in the fullest sense—voting, jury duty, and political office. Therefore, twelfth graders benefit from an instructional environment that promotes critical thinking and research and provides opportunities for civic participation. Social science research using technological resources and presentation with computer technology is encouraged. Simulation and debate offer vital interaction with peers that also aids in social development, fosters long-term learning of content, and encourages all students to reach their potential.

Teachers will also require students to read at least one fiction or non-fiction book relating to United States Government. Students will also be required to write at least one essay for the nine weeks relating to an United States Government topic of the teacher’s choice. Advance students will be required to write at least one essay for the nine weeks. In order to expose students to the use of technology, they will design and present a PowerPoint presentation during the course of the 9 weeks. The PowerPoint presentation will relate to United States Government on a subject of the teacher’s choice. 3

Twelfth Grade Curriculum American Government: Democracy in Action

Unit/Theme Objective/Type Standard Objective Teaching Assessment Grade 12 Students will be able to….. Resources Teachers will utilize… COS 1  Identify the origins and Resources functions of government. ancillaries provided Teacher made test, with the textbook, as ExamView quizzes Chapter 1 AHSGE II-2  Understand the formation well as teacher and tests and projects and development of the developed activities United States & projects; also including student text & TWE COS 2  Analyze the purposes, Resources organization, functions, ancillaries provided Teacher made test, and principles of the with the textbook, as ExamView quizzes United States well as teacher and tests and projects Chapter 2 Constitution and the Bill developed activities of Rights. & projects; also including student  Understand the formation text & TWE AHSGE II-2 and development of the United States 4

Twelfth Grade Curriculum American Government: Democracy in Action Unit/Theme Objective/Type Standard Objective Teaching Resources Assessment Grade 12 Students will be able to….. Teachers will utilize…

 Analyze the purposes, Resources ancillaries Teacher made test, organization, functions, provided with the ExamView quizzes and principles of the textbook, as well as and tests and projects Chapter 3 COS 2 United States teacher developed Constitution and the Bill activities & projects; of Rights. also including student text & TWE  Explain how the federal Resources ancillaries system of the United provided with the Teacher made test, Chapter 4 COS 3 States divides powers textbook, as well as ExamView quizzes between national and teacher developed and tests and projects state governments. activities & projects; also including student text & TWE 5

Twelfth Grade Curriculum American Government: Democracy in Action Unit/Theme Objective/Type Standard Objective Teaching Resources Assessment Grade 12 Students will be able to….. Teachers will be able to….

 Analyze the purposes, Resources ancillaries Teacher made test, organization, functions, and provided with the ExamView quizzes Chapter 5 COS 2, 9 principles of the United States textbook, as well as and tests and projects Constitution and the Bill of Rights. teacher developed  Identify constitutional provisions activities & projects; also of the legislative branch of the including student text & government of the United States. TWE

 Analyze the purposes, organization, functions, and Resources ancillaries Teacher made test, Chapter 8 COS 2, 10 principles of the United States provided with the ExamView quizzes Constitution and the Bill of Rights. textbook, as well as and tests and projects  Identify constitutional provisions teacher developed of the executive branch of the activities & projects; also government of the United States. including student text & TWE 6

Twelfth Grade Curriculum American Government: Democracy in Action Unit/Theme Objective/Type Standard Objective Teaching Resources Assessment Grade 12 Students will be able to….. Teachers will utilize…

 Identify constitutional Resources ancillaries Teacher made test, provisions of the judicial provided with the ExamView quizzes branch of the textbook, as well as and tests and projects government of the teacher developed Chapter 11 COS 11 United States. activities & projects; also including student text & TWE

 Trace the expansion of suffrage and its effect Resources ancillaries on the political system provided with the Chapter 17 of the United States. textbook, as well as & 18 COS 5,8  Identify the roles teacher developed Teacher made test, political parties play in activities & projects; ExamView quizzes the functioning of the also including student and tests and projects political system of the text & TWE United States.