American Government

Objectives:

·        To understand how American government operates

·        To gain knowledge of the three branches of American government

·        To increase understanding of civics

·        To develop an appreciation for a democratic style of government

·        To increase vocabulary and reading comprehension for the GED or other educational goals

Outcomes:

·        To complete a practice American Government test

·        To complete a practice Social Studies test

Warm-Up:

For a guide to American government, click on each of the following links.  Be sure to follow the links at the bottom of each page for more information. 

NOTE:  To help you go through the activities below, click here to download a Note-taking Guide.  Once you have finished completing the Guide, click here to download the Answer Key.

1. Our Nation --  Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/nation/index.html

2. The Declaration of Independence -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/declaration/index.html

3. The Articles of Confederation -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/articles/index.html  

4. The Federalist Papers -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/federalist/index.html 

5. The Constitution of the United States -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/constitution/index.html  

6. Rights of Citizens:  The Bill of Rights -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/citizenship/rights.html  

7. The Emancipation Proclamation -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/proclamation/index.html  

8. The Gettysburg Address -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/gettysburg/index.html  

9. Branches of Government -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/branches.html

10. How Laws are Made -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/lawmaking/index.html

11. National Vs. State Government -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism.html

12. Election Process -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/election/index.html

13. Citizenship -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/citizenship/index.html

14. United States Government Glossary -- Click here:  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/glossary.html

New Instruction:

Now that you have seen an overview of American Government, let us look at some sections more closely. 

1. The Declaration of Independence -- Click here:  http://www.founding.com/declare/index.cfm

2. About Elections and Voting -- Click here:  http://www.fec.gov/index.shtml

3. An Outline of American Government -- Click here:  http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/GOV/index.htm

4. The United States Constitution Online -- Click here:  http://usconstitution.net/constkids.html 

5. The United States Government Primer -- Click here:  http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0777336.html

Feedback and Review:

1. Justice Learning:  Civic Education in the Real World -- Click here:  http://justicelearning.org/

2. The White House:  Government -- Click here:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/

Transfer of Knowledge or Skills:

When you have completed the American History studies, you may want to take a practice test.

1.      American Government 1 -- Click here:  http://www.quia.com/tq/265778.html  

2.      American Government 2 -- Click here:  http://www.quia.com/tq/265781.html  

3.      American Government 3 -- Click here:  http://www.quia.com/tq/265853.html

4.      American Government 4 -- Click here: http://standarddeviants.school.aol.com/pls/brain/cerebellum.show_downloadable_test?p_subject_id=18

5.      American Government 5 -- Click here: http://standarddeviants.school.aol.com/pls/brain/cerebellum.show_quiz?p_subject_id=18

6.      State and Local Government -- Click here:  http://www.quia.com/tq/329679.html  

7.      Citizenship Test 1 -- Click here: http://www.factmonster.com/spot/quiz/citizenship1/1.html  

8.      Citizenship Test 2 -- Click here. http://www.factmonster.com/spot/quiz/citizenship2/1.html

When you have completed all of the available instruction in the American History, World History, Geography, Economics, Civics and Government, and Charts and Graphs areas, you are ready to take the practice tests.  Click here http://www.nwlincs.org/mtlincs/pilotproject/socialstudies/practicesocialstudiestests.htm for Practice Social Studies Tests.