12^th Grade American and State Civics Social Studies Map

Month/Unit	Essential Questions	Expectations	Project/ Activity	Assessment	Resources	Standards
August/ Foundations of Government	Where did Democracy from and how? How do different types of governments work for its people and how do they fail them? What does Democracy mean to you?	Students will: -study and understand all different types of governments around the world -study foundations of democracy in Ancient Greece -study early forms of democracy on the North American continent with the Iroquois Confederacy -study the Articles of Confederation and know why they failed -study the building of the Constitution -study and understand the parts of the Constitution including all Amendments	Government charts Ancient Greece project Articles of Confederation Investigation Iroquois Confederacy Assignment Articles of Confederation assignment Constitutional Compromises assignment Amendment Poster project	All assignments Reading quizzes Amendments quiz Foundations Test	Handouts from Government Book Film: Ancient Greece Articles of Confederation Constitution Bill of Rights Amendments	1 2 3 4
October/ Legislative Branch	What are different roles in our government? How do checks and balance work? How does a bill become a law? What does each branch of the legislature do? Why are their jobs different?	Students will: -study and understand Article One of the Constitution -know the roles of the Senate -know the roles of the House -learn how a bill becomes a law -study current bills -write their own bill proposal	Who Holds Office search My Bill Project	People in Government Search Bill Project Mini Quizzes Legislative Test	Handouts from Government book Web sites Film: Bob Roberts	1 2 3 4
November/ Executive Branch	How does the Electoral College work and why is it used? How is the power of the president restricted and how is it not? What other parts of the government are included in the Executive Branch? Is it important to vote?	Students will: -study and understand Article Two of the Constitution -study and understand the Electoral College Process -understand the powers and limitations of the president -look at examples of presidential power and limits -discuss the value of voting	Presidential Investigation Why should I vote?	Assignments Mini-Quizzes Executive Test	Handouts from Government Text Film: Dave Field Trip to Town Hall
December/ Judicial Branch	What are rights? Why are landmark Supreme Court cases so vital? Why does our democracy put so much power in so few hands in the court system? How do you feel about capital punishment?	Students will: -study and understand Article Three of the Constitution -study specific landmark Supreme Court cases to understand how we gain rights -study the order of the judicial system -explore opinions about capital punishment	Landmark Supreme Court Case Brief Film Essay Capital Punishment Project	Brief and Presentation Assignments Essay Capital Punishment Project Judicial Branch Test	Handouts from Government book Landmark Supreme Court Cases Capital Punishment Exercise Film: Pelican Brief or Runaway Jury	1 2 3 4
January-February/ Juvenile Justice and State and Local Government	What are kids rights in school? What are the similarities and the differences between the federal government and the state governments? Is government in Telluride effective?	Students will: -study landmark Supreme Court cases based on school specific issues -study the organization of government in the State of Colorado -study the organization of the government of San Miguel County -study the organization of the government of the town of Telluride	Student Rights Case studies	Case study Final Exam	Case handouts	1 2 3 4