2014-15 

Daily Check In

Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics

2014-15 Daily Schedule


Wednesday May 20, 2015 - Reviewed journals for Lincoln. Examined specifically how Lincoln changed tactics as he got closer to the 13th amendment vote. Also examined some of the personal battles he faced and obstacles that he had to overcome to win the proposal. Assignment: Have your journals in good order to be submitted.  

Monday May 18, 2015 - Examined Lincoln's dilemma regarding the passage of the 13th Amendment and negotiating a surrender of the Confederacy.  Examined how he is effectively using lobbyists, and personal meetings to secure the votes he needs to insure the passage of the 13th Amendment.  Assignment: Continue to work on your daily video journal.  Be certain to share your journal with ccox@rossfordschools.org along with the ability to comment.


Thursday May 14, 2015 - Began watching Lincoln and the political process he used to attain the passage of the 13th Amendment. Pointed out examples of vocabulary and concepts that we had studied throughout the year. Assignment:  Work on your daily video journal.

Tuesday May 12, 2015 - National Examination Day. 


Friday May 8, 2015 - Reviewed 24 crucial to know Supreme Court cases. Worked in the Final Frontier Folder. Read and discussed Civil Liberties and Civil Rights information, walked through key vocabulary  for Public Policy, Monetary Policy, and  Foreign Policy. Assignment: This is your last big weekend to prepare.  Take some personal pride and prepare. Let this test be your crowning achievement of a very good senior year.   If you want to check out some previous Free Response questions and sample answers along with the rubrics used to grade them look at ---> Past FRQ's

Wednesday May 6, 2015 - Took practice exam and discussed questions that were troublesome.  Assignment:  Continue reviewing for May 12, national exam.

Monday May 4, 2015 - Reading check up quiz over pp. 100 - 124. Practice Test 2002 Released Exam. Assignment: Read and study pp. 130-145. Stop at Women and Equal Rights.  Quiz next class over this reading assignment.


Thursday April 30, 2015 - Current Events: Riots in Baltimore and Government Response. Worked on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. Assignment: Re-Read pp. 100-124 and prepare for a 15 question reading check up quiz next class.

Tuesday April 28, 2015 - Visit from the Guidance Office regarding College Board paperwork. Current Events: Riots in Baltimore.  Assignment: Read very carefully pp. 100-124 in our class textbook.


Friday April 24, 2015 -

Wednesday April 22, 2015 -

Monday April 20, 2015 -


Thursday April 16, 2015 -

Tuesday April 14, 2015 -


Thursday April 2, 2015 - Open question period on the reading assignment. Introduction to Legal Authorities, Statutes, Structure of the Federal Court System. Assignment: Begin to review for the national exam.  There are plenty of resources on YouTube.  Search string: AP Government Review.  There is no specific assignment over spring break.  For the week of April 4-10 My Big Campus is optional.  If you choose to participate, it will serve as a make up for a missed week from any time in the fourth quarter.

Tuesday March 31, 2015 - Listening Skill Lesson, Federalist #78 Reading, Federalist #78 reading guide, Introduction to the Federal Court System. Assignment: Read carefully pp. 446-452 (reading quiz very likely)


Friday March 27, 2015 - Federal Courts System Assignment

Wednesday March 25, 2015 - Test over the Bureaucracy.  Assignment: read carefully pp. 438-446. You will need the information from this reading assignment for class on Friday.

Monday March 23, 2015 - Warm Up quiz. Lecture recitation on the bureaucracy.  Assignment: Listen carefully and make certain you can identify the bureaucratic agencies and commissions listed here.  If there is no podcast linked, it is because none was submitted. I have included a link to the agency's home page.  Remember that there will be a bureaucracy test next class meeting.


Thursday March 19, 2015 - OGT Week - All classes are approx. 50 min. in length. - Warm up with five questions over Congress. Open question session over reading about bureaucracy. Lecture/recitation over the growth of the bureaucracy. Assignment: Read carefully pp. 424-432. We are realistically looking at the first test of the quarter on Wednesday March 25.  The test will be on the Bureaucracy.  Will you be prepared?

Tuesday March 17, 2015 - OGT Week - All classes are approx. 50 min. in length. - Sorting out the Bureaucracy Activity.  Assignment: Read carefully and prepare for a reading comprehension quiz over pp. 414-424.  Make certain that you have emailed your bureaucracy podcast to ccox@rossfordschools.org by midnight Wednesday March 18, 2015.


End of Third Qtr.


Friday March 13, 2015- Extensive discussion about the bureaucracy.  Lecture recitation on Structure of the American Bureaucracy.

Wednesday March 11, 2015 - **Two Hour Delay Due to Fog** - Test on Executive Branch.  Assignment: Read very very carefully pp. 408-414. (There may be a short quiz over the reading).  Study this graphic, be prepared to select several that interest you for additional research.

Monday March 9, 2015 - Finished American President. Reviewed Executive Office of the President handout. Assignment: Test over the executive branch next class.  The viewing journal for the American President is also due next class.


Thursday March 5, 2015 - Executive Branch Vocabulary Quizlet, Almost finished American President.  Assignment: Finish reading chapter 14 in our class textbook.  Carefully study the Google Drive Doc Executive Office of the President.  Test on the Executive Branch will take place tenatively on Wednesday March 11. 

**No School March 3, 2015 - Winter Storm and Icy Roads**

Monday March 2, 2015 - Practice scoring free response question on the executive branch. Analyzed more of the American President. Assignment: Continue to keep your daily viewing journals up to date from the American President, and prepare for the test on the Executive Branch that will be given the class period after we conclude the American President.


Thursday February 26, 2015 - Quick Write Executive Branch. Examined the Quick Write rubric and examined a couple of other questions relating to the connection between imperial presidency and imperial congress. Lecture/recitation over Imperial Presidency and Imperial Congress. Assignment: Quizlet on Executive Branch. You must complete the learn component on Quizlet and use scatter.  All students who finish in the top ten on scatter will earn 2% extra credit on the next class test. We are looking at an Executive Branch test the next class after completing the American President film next class.

Tuesday February 24, 2015 - (2 hour delay due to wind chill) - Free Response quiz on executive branch. - Continued video of the American President. Assignment: Read carefully all of page 401 and read Imperial Presidency. Carefully study the notes on the imperial presidency. We will definitely be doing a 20 minute "quick write" to start the class on the executive branch and specifically the powers of the executive branch.


Thursday February 19, 2015 - (2 hour delay due to wind chill) - Collected video note journal from American President. Quiz over presidential roles. Walk through lecture notes over Presidential Support Staff. Discussed Making the Presidency Safe and Effective.  Continue video of the American President. Assignment: read carefully pp. 394-401. There will be a free response question that will count as a quiz grade next class meeting.

Tuesday  February 17, 2015 - Quiz over roles of the president. Detailed notes/lecture over Presidential Support Staff. Began The American President journal and roles of the president assignment.  Assignment: Remember that the Presidential Paper assignment is due 2/23 or the class meeting immediately after the 23rd. Keep your journal from the American President up to date. Read carefully pp. 388-394.


Wednesday February 11, 2015 - A very through reading of Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution. Detailed discussion of the Presidential Paper assignment. Assignment: Read carefully pp. 378-388 and be prepared for a reading check up quiz.

Monday February 9, 2015 - Reviewed the impacts on Congressional elections along with the incumbency advantage. Read In Iowa, Republican field wide open as moderates stake their caucus claims. Took legislative branch test.  Assignment: Read very carefully pp. 364-378 in the text.  Anticipate a 15-20 question  reading check up quiz for next class. Begin Presidential Power Paper assignment which is due Feb. 23.


Wednesday February 4, 2015 - Reviewed all aspects of Congress, looked at The Congress Website and watched individual topics on the make up and organization of Congress, looked at legislation at Congress.gov Assignment: Prepare for Test over the Legislative Branch to be given next class. Be certain to know the factors that impact Congressional elections or the incumbency advantages.


Friday January 30, 2015 - "How Congress Spends Its Time", extensive discussion on How a Bill becomes law.  Looked at two video clips on the procedure of a bill becoming law. Video 1,  Video 2.   Assignment: 1. Carefully study this handout on the powers of congress.  Be able to explain and provide specific examples of powers that Congress has. 2. Read very carefully and understand The Committee System in Congress. We are looking at a Legislative Branch test two class periods next week.  It would be extremely wise to study this vocabulary list for that test.

Wednesday January 28, 2015 - Very lengthy question and answer period about the reading on the legislative branch. Specific questions over leadership structure, committees, and polarization of the legislative branch.  Took 17 question quiz.  Assignment: Read pp. 350-358 - How a Bill Becomes Law. Be prepared for quiz over the reading material.

Monday January 26, 2015 - Warm Up quiz over reading from 326-340. Lecture/Discussion over the Legislative Branch.  Notes Here.  Watched a short video clip explaining gerrymandering. Assignment: Day 37 on the syllabus. Read pp. 340-350. Anticipate a quiz over the reading material plus anything between pp. 326-340.


Thursday January 22, 2015 - State of the Union Address Analysis.  Assignment: Watch and carefully listen to How does government work: The Legislative Branch, and  How is Power Divided in the United States Government. Read carefully pp. 335-340 carefully. Read carefully the information on the Legislative branch at this link: Legislative Branch Overview. Quiz next class over reading assignments on the Legislative Branch pp. 326-340.  


No School on Jan. 21 due to ice and snow!


End of First Semester


Wednesday January 14, 2015 - First Semester Exam. Assignment: Day 35 on class syllabus. Be prepared for a quiz over the reading. 

Tuesday January 13, 2015 - Brief class today due to all classes (both maroon and gray) meeting prior to exams beginning tomorrow (1/14/15). Briefly covered the Exam Study Session Document, and then concluded with small group quizzing each other using the textbook online quizlets.  Assignment: Prepare for First Semester Examination that is scheduled for our next class meeting.


No School January 8, 9, and 12 due to ice, snow, and wind chill factor


Monday January 7, 2015 - Class Schedule - Assignment: Exam is tentatively now scheduled for Monday January 12. Get Ready!!!  Be sure to check MBC Announcement page for a possible online study session that will take place on Sunday....  Time to be announced.

Monday January 5, 2015 - Semester Exam Vocabulary Review. Assignment: Study Study Study for the First Semester Exam that is now scheduled to be taken on Friday January 9.


Thursday December 18, 2014 -- Test over interest groups, political parties and the media. Completed third party proposals. Assignment: Have a great holiday break and come prepared to be successful in 2015.

Tuesday December 16, 2014 -- How Social Media has changed politics. -  Media check up pp. 298-305 in small groups, Brief lecture/discussion on whether or not media influences politics. Assignment - practice key vocabulary and prepare for a test on Thursday.  The test will contain approximately 25 objective questions and a free response.


Friday December 12, 2014 -- Third Party concepts review. Minor Party presentations. Lecture recitation on Who are the media? Assignment: Continue to keep up with the syllabus and the reading assignments.

Wednesday December 10, 2014 - Reading Check up quiz on MBC, Minor Party Sale Assignment.  Goal is for assignment to be done by the end of the hour. Assignment: Be prepared to speak briefly on your proposed minor party. Read carefully pages 298-305.  Odds are very high that there will be quiz over this reading.

Monday December 8, 2014 -  Diagrammed and reviewed the historical development of political parties. Itemized the functions of political parties with ECMBR (ebola can make bread rot). Explained the transition of power and the causes of the transitions between political parties. Checked understanding of "Party Affiliation: What it is and What it Isn’t" and "Political Polarization in Action: Insights into the 2014 Election from the American Trends Panel."  Quickly went over The Lobbying Project.  Assignment: Read very carefully pp. 222-225 (Third Parties). Pay particularly close attention to the inset reading "How Things Work: Types of Third Parties". Odds are very high that there will be a quiz over this reading.


Thursday December 4, 2014 - Extensive current events discussion over the grand jury decision in NYC, review of PACs and Lobbying. Began to examine the purposes of a political party and the history of political parties in U.S. History. Assignment: Prepare for day 30 on the syllabus and read carefully "Party Affiliation: What it is and What it Isn’t" .

Tuesday December 2, 2014 - PAC Work - Assignment: Whatever was not completed in class should be completed and ready for our next class. Quiz over PACs and 527's.


Tuesday November 25, 2014 - Lobbying Work - Assignment: Understand the rules of a lobbyist and be prepared to explain what a PAC is and how it functions.


Friday November 21, 2014 - Quick in-service on how to use Paper Cut. Very brief review of any list items that are not clear.  Quiz over special interest groups.  Quickly re-read Federalist #10.  Pentagonal Groups working on Federalist #10 Reading Guide.  Assignment: Day #26 on the Class Syllabus.  Specifically Lobbying.

Wednesday November 19, 2014 - Lists of nine reasons for growth of interest groups and seven types of interest groups. Last of the Special Interest Group speeches.  Assignment: Be fluent in Federalist #10. Check the lists that will be shared with you by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. All lists are fair game for the quiz that will be given next class.

Monday November 17, 2014 - Reviewed vocabulary from Political Beliefs and Behaviors Unit, Completed eight more 2 minute speeches on Special Interest Groups. Assignment: IF you haven't done so, read completely Federalist #10.  We will also complete any remaining 2 minute speeches next class.


Thursday November 13, 2014 - 2 minute speeches on Special Interest Groups. Sample Podcast by Miss Keller: AARP .  Assignment: be prepared to complete 2 minute speeches and read Federalist #10.

Tuesday November 11, 2014 - Veterans Day - Veterans Day Lesson - Assignment: Complete your Special Interest Group speech.


Wednesday November 5, 2014 -

Monday November 3, 2014 - Formative assessment over special interest groups, read carefully pp. 280-287, lecture recitation over a) Interest Groups: Reasons For Their Growth, b) Types of Interest Groups, c) Tactics of Interest Groups.  Assignment: read carefully and produce a formal outline over pp. 270-275 from the text book.


Thursday October 30, 2014 - Test over Political Beliefs and Behaviors Part 2. Assignment: Read carefully and produce a formal outline of notes on pp. 280-293.  These notes will be graded next class. Be certain to highlight vocabulary terms to receive full credit. 

Tuesday October 28, 2014 - 60 Second Civics Audio - Listen and summarize in 25-40 words.  Episodes: 538, 842, and 1224-1236.  Read carefully "How Things Work - Kinds of Elections" on p. 247 in the text, Create five multiple choice questions in the Round Robin format. - Assignment: Test next class over: Congressional Elections, Path to the Presidency, Electoral College, and Campaign Finance.


Friday October 24, 2014 - Khan Academy Clip on Electoral College. Extensive discussion about the Pathway to the Presidency.  Assignment: Be prepared to defend or attack the Electoral College existence. It will also be necessary to explain how the Electoral College functions.

Wednesday October 22, 2014 - Google Drive Doc Path of the Day. Assignment: Reading for Day 21 on the Syllabus.  There will also be a quiz during the next class.

Monday October 20, 2014 - Examined Results from Test #2.  Lecture Notes on Congressional Elections. Assignment Reading for Day 20 on the Syllabus.


Thursday October 9, 2014 - Statistical analysis of 2012 presidential election. Finish discussion of Voter Turn Out statistics and trends. Assignment: Day 18 on the Syllabus: Factors That Impact Voter Behavior.  Reminder that the final test of the first quarter will be given on Thursday October 11. The topics for the test can be found on the Political Beliefs and Behaviors lecture notes page.  Any questions see Mr. Cox as soon as possible.

Tuesday October 7, 2014 - Finish discussion on political socialization. Begin discussion/lecture on Voter Turn Out.


Friday October 3, 2014  - Examined several scientific polls conducted by Gallup.com, Reviewed Political Polling vocabulary, Quiz over Opinion Polls, Begin Lecture/Discussion on Political Socialization

Wednesday October 1, 2014 - Vocabulary Quiz, Lecture Discussion on Opinion Polls. Assignment: Watch to understand these videos and be prepared to ask and answer questions.  Video One: Public Opinion, Video two Political Opinion.  Complete the assignment at this link: Political Polling Assignment.

Monday September 29, 2014 -


Thursday September 25, 2014 -

Tuesday September 23, 2014 - Unit Test on Constitutional Underpinnings. Assignment: Day 13 on the syllabus and prepare for a reading check up quiz.


Friday September 19, 2014 - Read carefully pp. 68-71 together in a large group. Reading check up quiz. Assignment: Day 12 on the syllabus (Constitutional Underpinnings Test) Student Study Guide

Wednesday September 17, 2014 - Constitution Day

Monday September 15, 2014


Wednesday September 10, 2014

 

Monday September 8, 2014 -

Thursday September 4, 2014 -

 

Tuesday August 26, 2014 -

Friday August 22, 2014 -