Senior Government and Politics is a requirement for all Seniors to prepare them to become responsible, well informed and active citizens in our democratic government structure. Students will study the responsibilities of citizenship which lead to good government on the national, state and local levels.
The evolution of our Constitutional government is studied in depth, as well as the function, responsibilities and the benefits of government on all three levels.
A focus on current political problems and possible solutions is paramount in the course. Students participate in an Election Assembly in the fall and a Mock Congressional Hearing in the spring.
FOCUS QUESTIONS
INITIAL UNDERSTANDING The student will . . .
DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETATION The student will . . .
MAKING CONNECTIONS The student will . . .
TAKING A CRITICAL STANCE The student will . . .
READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is addressed in this unit through the attention paid to the Content Knowledge Objectives. These objectives are in the Reading Comprehension categories of Initial Understanding, Developing an Interpretation, Making Connections and Taking a Critical Stance. Note the thinking skill verb in each objective that directs how content information is to be processed.
WRITING Students will . . .
RESEARCH SKILLS Students will . . .
STUDY SKILLS AND WORK HABITS Students will . . .
ORAL PRESENTATION Students will . . . .
FOCUS QUESTIONS
INITIAL UNDERSTANDING The student will . . .
DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETATION The student will . . .
MAKING CONNECTIONS The student will . . .
TAKING A CRITICAL STANCE The student will . . .
READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is addressed in this unit through the attention paid to the Content Knowledge Objectives. These objectives are in the Reading Comprehension categories of Initial Understanding, Developing an Interpretation, Making Connections and Taking a Critical Stance. Note the thinking skill verb in each objective that directs how content information is to be processed.
WRITING Students will . . .
RESEARCH SKILLS
The students will begin to research the relationship between the federal government and their lives. There are multitude of online resources that the students should begin to familiarize themselves with. They will also understand the quality of resources that will provide the best information.
STUDY SKILLS AND WORK HABITS
The students will know now how to best use their textbook and take notes. They will understand the types of evaluations that the course will provide. They will review new material and terms concerning the political process.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Debate on a topic or controversial issue.
FOCUS QUESTIONS
INITIAL UNDERSTANDING The student will . . .
DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETATION The student will . . .
MAKING CONNECTIONS The student will . . .
TAKING A CRITICAL STANCE The student will . . .
READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is addressed in this unit through the attention paid to the Content Knowledge Objectives. These objectives are in the Reading Comprehension categories of Initial Understanding, Developing an Interpretation, Making Connections and Taking a Critical Stance. Note the thinking skill verb in each objective that directs how content information is to be processed.
WRITING
Students will continue writing persuasive essays and further their understanding of political positions and how they relate to their own political stance. They will use graphic organizers to help study the two sides of an issue and then defend their position through persuasive writing.
RESEARCH SKILLS
By this point the students will be very well versed in the various internet sites. They will also be very aware of the positions of these sites as far as slants on the issues. They will know how to quickly see and appreciate the positions taken by various well regarded political writers and political parties
STUDY SKILLS AND WORK HABITS
Students will create a time management plan for the research they are doing in this unit. They will edit and focus on creating well documented and written short essays on the various topics of the unit.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Students will be able to present a two minute oral presentation in a convincing manner.
FOCUS QUESTIONS
INITIAL UNDERSTANDING The student will . . .
DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETATION The student will . . .
MAKING CONNECTIONS The student will . . .
TAKING A CRITICAL STANCE The student will . . .
READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is addressed in this unit through the attention paid to the Content Knowledge Objectives. These objectives are in the Reading Comprehension categories of Initial Understanding, Developing an Interpretation, Making Connections and Taking a Critical Stance. Note the thinking skill verb in each objective that directs how content information is to be processed.
WRITING
Students will create pamphlets and other advertising materials.
RESEARCH SKILLS
Students will use selected websites to understand the election process and the role of political parties, interest groups and the media.
STUDY SKILLS AND WORK HABITS
Students will use gallup polls and other research polls to understand the political spectrum. Students wil continue to work on time management skills. Students will work on writing point of views with supporting evidence and presentation skills.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Students will continue to present materials in a presentation format on topics assigned. They will be able to be more convincing in their stance and communicate their ideas and positions with more assurances.
FOCUS QUESTIONS
INITIAL UNDERSTANDING The student will . . .
DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETATION The student will . . .
MAKING CONNECTIONS The student will . . .
TAKING A CRITICAL STANCE The student will . . .
READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is addressed in this unit through the attention paid to the Content Knowledge Objectives. These objectives are in the Reading Comprehension categories of Initial Understanding, Developing an Interpretation, Making Connections and Taking a Critical Stance. Note the thinking skill verb in each objective that directs how content information is to be processed.
WRITING Students will . . .
RESEARCH SKILLS
Students will continue to use government sources and newspaper sites to process their research in an effective manner. The RHS data bases are crucial to successful research in this unit.
STUDY SKILLS AND WORK HABITS
Students will continue to work on their time management skills. They will need to survey and skim chapters before they will read it for understanding. The students will need to show strong note taking and organization to be able to relate all branches of the National government to each other.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Students will continue to work on presenting positions and learn the rules of debate (Poole’s) to be able to effectively debate their position in a Congressional environment.
FOCUS QUESTIONS
INITIAL UNDERSTANDING The student will . . .
DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETATION The student will . . .
MAKING CONNECTIONS The student will . . .
TAKING A CRITICAL STANCE The student will . . .
READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is addressed in this unit through the attention paid to the Content Knowledge Objectives. These objectives are in the Reading Comprehension categories of Initial Understanding, Developing an Interpretation, Making Connections and Taking a Critical Stance. Note the thinking skill verb in each objective that directs how content information is to be processed.
WRITING
Students will edit and publish articles for the Ridgefield Press on their views concerning their local area. They will edit and publish their positions.
RESEARCH SKILLS
Students will use interviewing skills to look at local issues in depth.
STUDY SKILLS AND WORK HABITS
Students visit various committees in town and will need to listen carefully for details discussed in the meeting. Time management and note taking are crucial in this unit.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Students will continue to further their presentation techniques. They will understand the need for developing a sense of community and involvement.
FOCUS QUESTIONS
INITIAL UNDERSTANDING The student will . . .
DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETATION The student will . . .
MAKING CONNECTIONS The student will . . .
TAKING A CRITICAL STANCE The student will . . .
READING COMPREHENSION
Reading comprehension is addressed in this unit through the attention paid to the Content Knowledge Objectives. These objectives are in the Reading Comprehension categories of Initial Understanding, Developing an Interpretation, Making Connections and Taking a Critical Stance. Note the thinking skill verb in each objective that directs how content information is to be processed.
WRITING
Students will be able to write a two sides of an issue and then defend their position through persuasive writing.
RESEARCH SKILLS
Students will learn to read and research legal material to understand the functions and decisions of the courts. They will understand the process of connecting the Constitution with their rights.
STUDY SKILLS AND WORK HABITS
Students will continue to work on time management skills and further their work on summarizing and evaluating legal material.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Students will do group presentations on the various topics covered in the class. They will learn to delegate to each of their members the necessary parts of their presentations.