USG+Assignments+Spring+2012

Full credit possible if work is turned in on time (completed before coming to class on the dates listed below). Some assignments cannot be turned in late (individually identified). All other work must be completed //**before the exam for that unit**// for partial credit.
 * Homework policy:**

FYI: PowerSchool is updated as work is graded - updates are not held for the 15th/30th.

//Wrap it up://
 * Thursday, May 24** - Final project due & Final Exam day
 * If you earned 85% on the Branch Exam or 90-90-90 on the quizzes, you do not need to take the final.
 * If you are taking the final, you have the choice to take a traditional final or take the adventure final. Details for the adventure final are here. If you complete the adventure final, you bring your writeups and the photo of you completing the adventure final to class. If you forget it or it is incomplete, you will sit in class and take the final exam.
 * If you are taking the traditional final, it is cumulative. Topics addressed are:
 * Political ideology
 * History of the Constitution (philosophers & documents)
 * Voting & elections
 * All 3 branches of government.
 * For final project information click here.


 * Thursday, May 10** Branch Exam - Covers: The purpose of the Constitution and all 3 branches. Recommended review:
 * The grid we draw with the three branches of government, where they are in the Constitution, and what each branch does with laws.
 * All class notes and assignments.
 * Review materials on the wiki under “Assignments” and then next to each of the Branch quizzes we took (5/7, 4/26 and 4/13)
 * Print review materials from class
 * 85% (or better) on this exam = no required final exam

No questions were asked during either chat opportunity so there is no transcript to post. Good luck with the rest of your studies this evening - it is now 9:31 and I am closing the computer for the night. Ms Wolfe [|Click here for the review booklet answer key].
 * Branch Exam Final Prep:**

//Unit 7 - The Judicial Branch//


 * Monday, May 7** - Judicial Branch quiz. Click here for review tools/information

//**Unit bonus option**// (Final option for the semester): Play up to 3 of the Judicial Branch games found on this site (Argument Wars, Court Quest, and/or Supreme Decision). You can earn up to 5 bonus points per game. For each game you play, write the name of the game, what you learned while playing it, and print your certificate of completion (take a screenshot if necessary). Turn in your write-ups by May 7.


 * Friday, May 4** - Moot Court people, be prepared


 * Thursday, May 3** - Mock Trial people, be prepared


 * Wednesday, May 2** - Landmark Case work due. Click here for directions

Option 1: Judicial Branch Podcast (Click and you can download the QuickTime movie - audio & video match up) Option 2: Watch from YouTube FYI - Current Justices are listed here on the right. Click on their names for their biographies.
 * Monday April 30** - Print the question guide fond here. Then watch the videopodcast (2 options below)


 * Friday, April 27** - Judicial Branch Reader's Guide (reading is here)

Final unit due date calendar (Judicial Branch to end of year)

//Unit 6 - The Executive Branch//

Remember:
 * Thursday, April 26** ** - ** Executive Branch Quiz.
 * All work for this unit is to be completed on time for on-time credit. For late credit, be sure it is done prior to coming to class on this day.
 * Click here for review information on the Executive Branch.

Unit Bonus Op: Complete and submit notes by 4/25. Click here for details.


 * Tuesday, April 24 - ** 8 Roles/The President in the News. Log into Google docs. Make a copy of this document. Complete it. Print when finished, 3-hole punch and add to 3-ring. ** This assignment takes more time - start it early, pick away at it. Perhaps one role per day throughout the unit? **


 * Friday, April 20 - ** Cabinet Assignment. Click for detailed directions.

**Thursday, April 19** - Listen to/watch this podcast on the President's staff. Take notes as you learn. (The podcast is 7.5 minutes, this assignment should take less than 15 minutes total)


 * Wednesday, April 18 - ** Executive Branch People. Click for detailed directions. (On the test run, this assignment took 17 minutes of my focused time)


 * Monday, April 16 -** Executive Branch Reader's Guide

//Unit 5 "The Legislative Branch" - Due Dates & Details//


 * Friday, April 13** -
 * Take Legislative Branch Quiz. (If absent, take quiz on Monday during lunch or free.) Click here for review information.
 * Receive Executive Branch Reading and Reader's Guide (due Monday)

Click here for details & directions
 * Wednesday, April 11 - Legislative Leadership **

Click here for details & directions If you want, you can double up and finish this with tomorrow's assignment (both would be checked in on 4/11 for full credit) if it fits better with your family's Easter plans.
 * Tuesday, April 10: Where Congress Lives/Congress by the Numbers - see unit calendar for due date **


 * Thursday, April 5**: Blabber on Expressed & Implied powers (replaces podcast mentioned on unit sheet)

//Extra unit sheet: //

//Unit 4 "Voting & Elections" - Due Dates & Details//

Bring a printed copy of your infographic to class. Post a digital copy of your infographic to your wiki page (either as a file or a picture) and add it to this Google presentation by adding your image to the slide with your name on it (Save the ppt slide as an image and then add your image to your page in the Google Presentation). Be sure to post your digital image to the Google presentation even if you are going to be absent on this day!! **IF YOU CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO SAVE YUR POWERPOINT SLIDE AS AN IMAGE (SAVE AS - Format = .jpg), EMAIL THE SLIDE TO ME AS AN ATTACHMENT. //Ms Wolfe//**
 * Friday, March 16 -** Infographic Showcase

Topics: The process to run for president, the electoral college, the voting Amendments, registering to vote in Minnesota and absentee voting.
 * Thursday, March 14 [Date change!!] ** - 10 Point Quiz on Voting & Elections

//**Part 1:**// Select one question under "Voting" and one under "Elections." Research the answer with multiple sites (NOT Wikipedia or lame public Q&A sites) - give detailed answers with examples/supporting data. Type your answers into your own Google doc or write it into your notebook - **just be sure you have the information printed and brought with you to class on the due date**. Click here to see the question lists.
 * Tuesday. March 13 -** Elections & Voting Data Set
 * //Part 2//**//:// Complete this activity on campaign finance. (You could choose to complete this part of the assignment, only part 2, in class on Tuesday but it will require more of you outside of class later in the week if you choose to do this.)

a. [|Using this link], answer this question in your notes: To which website were you directed (look at the title of the office at the head of the site)? Use the links along the left menu bar to answer the following: b. Who is eligible to vote in Minnesota? [This one is under "Registering to Vote"] c. How does one register to vote in Minnesota? d. Where can you get a voter registration card? e. How can one register on Election Day in Minnesota? f. What is absentee voting? Who does it? g. What are the special circumstances for students voting in MN? What are the steps students should be aware of when the want to vote?
 * Monday, March 12** - Voting Q&A. Answer in your notebook and title, "Voting in Minnesota"


 * Monday, March 5 -** Unit reading & readers' guide

Focus: the purpose and basic structure of the Constitution, the 5 principles of the Constitution, the philosophers whose ideas were used to create the Constitution and the the documents which were used as a basis for writing the Constitution. Click here for review materials.
 * Friday, March 2 -** Exam #2


 * Thursday, March 1 -** Commercial due. Started in class 2/27. Details will be posted then.


 * Wednesday, February 22** - Document Work. Click here for directions.


 * Tuesday, February 21** - Philosophers biographies & quotes, started in class on Tuesday 2/16.


 * Wednesday, February 15** - Reader's Guide on the introduction to the Constitution. Reading and questions attached below.

//Unit 2 Due Dates & Details//
 * Tuesday, February 14 - ** Exam #1 on the political spectrum, party platforms, and political cartoon analysis. Click here for review tips and information.


 * Monday, February 13 - Be sure all work (homework and in-class activities) for the unit is complete before you go to bed!!


 * Wednesday, February 8 - Be finished with your cartoon analysis before you go to bed!


 * Monday, February 6 ** - Bring your completed and printed Political Party activity


 * Wednesday, February 1 ** - Complete ** both parts ** (1 & 2 in the directions) of Where I Stand


 * Friday, Jan. 27 -**
 * State of the Union analysis (worked on in class 1/25 & 26)
 * Bring required materials to class (1" 3-ring binder & **loose leaf paper**, at least 60 sheets)


 * Wednesday, Jan 25 -** Optional: State of the Union viewing guide