Prep for First American Government Class

The first day of coop classes!  Excitement and butterflies in the stomach and that's just the teacher!

We will dive into our study and discussion.

The resources below are for you and your parent to peruse and choose activities to meet your required hours.  Reading through Chapter 1 in The Complete Idiot's Guide to U.S. Government and Politics will give you a brief introduction to forms of government.  Reading chapters 1-2 in The Vision of the Anointed will give you some current perspectives as well as reading Part 1 in God and Politics.

To be ready for the first class you will need to have some background knowledge to participate in the discussion.  Understanding the different forms of Governments in the World and the type of Government we have in America will be pivotal for class discussions.  Doing some (or even all) of the recommended activities will prepare you even further.

Here are some resources to help you complete your required hours and ready you for class.  

Please watch this video on Youtube about the Different Forms of Government:

The NewAmerican.com covers a recent Princeton Northwestern Study examining American Politics in this post.  The studies conclusions are far from Franklin's definition of America.



Examine this political map of the world and the type of government from Nature Climate Change.  Also, The World Factbook from the CIA offers a listing of types of governments and their definitions as well as a chart of countries of the world and their governmental form.

Historical context is important to our understanding.  Check out this chart plotting the differences in the North American colonies.  When looking at American History and Government we can examine governmental forms existing before and during the first settlers' arrival on the shores of what would become the USA.  These include:

• The Mayflower Compact (Resources from Plimoth Plantation, History.com, and US History.org)
• Iroquois League (Milwaukee Public Museum, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and The Pennsylvania Gazette)
• Cherokee Nation (Eastern Band of Cherokee, and  Learn NC)
• Jamestown Settlement -- The Great Charter (History is Fun, Jamestown Chronicles [History is Fun], National Park Service)
• Pirate Code (National Geographic Real Pirates, Blackbeard Lives, Snopes, The Frazier History Museum)

Choose one of those groups to study further or find another system of government that was on the continent before or during settlement and create something -- a short speech, an essay, a chart detailing your study.  If you are willing, share with the class.      

Take some time to explore Founding Father Quotes and choose one Founding Father to outline.  Create a chart giving basic information with biographical data, time in history of US, your favorite quote, and how that quote could or does apply to American Government today.

Davy Crockett is a local historical figure and folk hero.  Do some research on your own about his political service and his thoughts on government and check out these resources -- Crockett in Congress the Rise and Fall of the Poor Man's Friend and Utah Links' Davy Crockett and Proper Government or watch this video:

Does this video give you further understanding into the life and character of Davy Crockett?  Davy Crockett was a "character" and he was unique.  Do some further research into his time in congress and his move to the Texas Territory.

Utopia is a type of government too.  America has had a few utopian settlements with one in Rugby, TN.  Several popular novels have explored dystopian societies, including The Hunger Games Series and The Giver Series.  If you have read some of these novels, what do you think are lessons to be learned?  What are some questions we can ask about American Government now and throughout history?  Bring your list to class.

Here is a link to the US Constitution and click on this link for Know Your Rights: A Guide to the United States Constitution.  

The second class will further explore the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.