Week of Nov. 4-8, 2k24

Presidential Election Day week!

We will watch a lot of news this week...and then begin our US Constitution Unit!  Huzzah!

Answer the following Q's in your notebooks using this reading:  Philosophy of government

1. What role does the government play in society? – Think about this, this is opinionated
2. Can a government become too big or too small? Provide a reason for your answer. How can we, the citizens, solve this problem? (opinionated)
3. What is the "social contract?"
4. How does a government ensure it is doing the best job it can for all citizens?  Provide an example. (opinionated)
5. What is a "tabula rasa?"
6. How can a government fail its citizens?  Provide an example. (opinionated)
7. What type of government do you think is the best?  Explain… (opinionated)

1. Why is the FIRST branch of the government the Legislative? 
2. Which house of Congress do you think benefits the smaller states? Larger states? More directly associated with the people? Why is there a BIGGER & littler house of Congress?
3. Why is the Legislative branch bicameral?
4. Which is the Lower/Upper House? Why are they Upper and Lower?
5. How does a bill become a law? 
6. What are the powers of Congress?
7. What are the powers denied to Congress?
8. Why is the legislative branch the first branch in the Constitution?

Week of Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2k24

Second Amendment HW -- Due Friday, Nov. 1

Please answer any THREE of the following Q’s in a minimum one-paragraph explanation in your SS Journal. You may write more, however, please be sure that you are providing details in your answer. 3 A for the Days if you choose to answer all FIVE…

1. Why do you think the right to own guns is so important to some Americans?
2. Some Americans believe state’s rules, limitations, etc, hinder their right to bear arms. Do you find this to be the case?
3. What do you think the gun ownership laws/guidelines should be? Why do you believe this?
4. What kind of America do you think the Founding Fathers imagined when they wrote the Second Amendment? How is the United States different now than it was in 1789, when the Second Amendment was written?
5. Should there be individual state by state laws regulating gun ownership/use or should the national government write laws regulating gun ownership/use? Why do you think this?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2k24 Election Speech

Election Day is near!  Since 2008, we’ve had students speak to the student body on the behalf of the political parties & their stances on certain issues.  This year is no different!  IF you would like to deliver a speech of no longer than one page, typed, double-spaced to the middle school next Monday, November 4 during study hall, please complete this assignment.

You may choose one of the following issues to address:  The economy/inflation, immigration or climate change/environmental issues.  Your speeches to the student body should address the following:

1. Explain why this is an important issue

2. Explain how your political party will fix this issue

3. Explain how the nation would be better off with this plan

You may NOT insult, bash, or speak negatively about the opposing party.  You may address how their policies have failed or been unsuccessful.  Mr. Barry has the final say in editing your speeches to the student body and will choose who speaks to the student body.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Using the Media Bias Chart, provide a one-paragraph explanation of how you think Mr. Barry politically leans/votes. Why do you think he watches/reads these particular networks? This is gonna be awesome…
2. Explain your reasoning & tell me if there is a particular news source you & your family watch/read & whether YOU think YOUR family is biased!There will be no judgment, right, or wrong answers!
3. What is the Electoral College?
4. Why did the Founding Fathers believe this process was a good idea?
5. How has this process been both successful & failed at times?
6. Do you think we should keep this election process? Why/why not

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Election Day is near! Since 2008, we’ve had students speak to the student body on the behalf of the political parties & their stances on certain issues. This year is no different! IF you would like to deliver a speech of no longer than one page, typed, double-spaced to the middle school next Monday, November 4 during study hall, please complete this assignment.

You may choose one of the following issues to address: The economy/inflation, immigration or climate change/environmental issues. Your speeches to the student body should address the following:

1. Explain why this is an important issue
2. Explain how your political party will fix this issue
3. Explain how the nation would be better off with this plan

You may NOT insult, bash, or speak negatively about the opposing party. You may address how their policies have failed or been unsuccessful. Mr. Barry has the final say in editing your speeches to the student body and will choose who speaks to the student body.

Election Unit?....Yup! It continues!

1. What are the issues in the 2k24 Election?
2. How do Democrats & Republicans view these issues?
3. What issues are the most important to you?  Why?
4. Using the Media Bias Chart, provide a one-paragraph explanation of how you think Mr. Barry politically leans/votes. Why do you think he watches/reads these particular networks? This is gonna be awesome…
5. Explain your reasoning & tell me if there is a particular news source you & your family watch/read & whether YOU think YOUR family is biased!There will be no judgment, right, or wrong answers!
6. What is the Electoral College?
7. Why did the Founding Fathers believe this process was a good idea?
8. How has this process been both successful & failed at times?
9. Do you think we should keep this election process? Why/why not

Week of Oct 14-18, 2k24

Welcome to 2k24 Election Season!

Democrat or Republican HW... Good luck!

Election Unit Doc

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are some of the central questions for this unit:

1. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment provides, “The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.” So…Why is the voting age in the United States 18 years old? Do you think the voting age should be higher or lower than the current age?
2. Should there be certain/other qualifications to vote in the United States? What are they…Why do you feel this?
3. Why do you think the stated qualifications are the only qualifications to be the President of the United States?
4. What do you think should be the qualifications to be the President of the United States?
5. What do you think the powers of the president should be based on our reading of Article II Section II and the discussion of the executive order power?
6. Do you think the presidential powers are more or less than what was intended by the Founding Fathers? Why is this the case?
7. What are the important issues in the 2k24 Election?
8. How do both Democrats & Republicans generally view these issues.
9. Who are these issues important to & why?
10. What issues do you think older voters care more about than younger voters?
11. What might be some issues minorities believe are more important than white (American majority) voters?
12. How would a person’s income affect a voter’s priorities?
13. How would a person’s health affect a voter’s priorities?
14. How would a person's occupation affect a voter's priorities?
15. Do we see similarities in how the candidates feel about the issues & the general majority of the parties?
16. Do we see any significant statements that support the above question or go against their respective party beliefs?
17. Using the Media Bias Chart, provide a one-paragraph explanation of how you think Mr. Barry politically leans/votes. Why do you think he watches/reads these particular networks? This is gonna be awesome…
18. Explain your reasoning & tell me if there is a particular news source you & your family watch/read & whether YOU think YOUR family is biased!There will be no judgment, right, or wrong answers!
19. What is the Electoral College?
20. Why did the Founding Fathers believe this process was a good idea?
21. How has this process been both successful & failed at times?
22. Do you think we should keep this election process? Why/why not
23. How has the media — SNL — portrayed elections in years' past? Is this good, bad, appropriate, inappropriate? — I am selective of what SNL skits we use & ensure the topic is appropriate for the students
24. Why do candidates attack one another with television, social media posts, interviews, etc.? Do you think it is effective?
25. Why do we have only two large political parties & how do smaller political parties & ideas fail to succeed in elections?
26. What is the president's Cabinet & how do they advise the president?
27. If you could change one thing about the election/electoral process/etc. What would it be and why?