How does the structure of government impact the way decisions are made in society?

What is the relationship between gerrymandering, the concept of representation, and the principle of consent of the governed?

What does it mean to be represented in government?

How can members of Congress best represent their constituents?

How are my views and values represented in the American government?

How can the people ensure their local interests are represented at the national level?

An annotated version of the U.S. Constitution with key terms defined.

An annotated version of Federalist 55 with key terms defined and comprehension questions.

An annotated version of Federalist 62 with key terms defined and comprehension questions.

A detailed explanation of the steps a bill must take to become a law under the U.S. Constitution.

Student Handouts that detail the steps that must occur for a bill to become a law under the U.S. Constitution.

A visual representation that details the various positions in a Congressional office.

A graphic organizer to help students explore the Civil Rights Act and Immigration Reform legislation as they seek to understand the process of legislative consent building.

A student handout out that defines the terms enumerated and implied powers and provides details on the powers themselves.

What checks and balances exist to ensure one branch of the federal government does not act without restraint? Explore the Watergate case, the power to declare war, and the Commerce Clause as examples that illustrate this principle.

How have the interactions among the three branches of government changed over time?

A team-based wordplay communication game that challenges delegates to interpret constituent and private interest in a way that keeps them happy. Players ultimately must negotiate while competing to draft the most effective bills for their side. Failing to do so will result in getting voted out of office. 

A table top game the explores the interplay between private citizens, public officials, and resource management and how they shape the effectiveness of civil society.

What are the Constitutional duties of the U.S. Congress?

What is meant by consensus building and why is important in a pluralistic society?

How does the structure of government influence the process of lawmaking and reflect the will of the people?

Multiple Choice Questions that can be given at the end of the unit to assess students learning.

Answer key for Multiple Choice Questions that can be given at the end of the unit to assess students learning.

Answer Key for AP Style Questions that can be given at the end of the unit to assess students learning.

AP Style Questions that can be given at the end of the unit to assess students learning.

Two prompts that help students practice AP Exam style quesitons.