Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below are organized according to the College Board's AP government and politics curriculum outline.

I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts
V. Public Policy
VI. Civil Right and Civil Liberties

I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government

Comparing National Constitutions
Students will understand the purpose of the Constitution, the processes of its development, and be able to compare the ideology to the constitutions of other countries by analyzing primary sources online. [I.A. Consideraitons that Influenced the Constitution]

Ratifying the Constitution: Federalist vs. Antifederalists
The students will use primary sources to learn about the debates between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and each group's reasons for supporting or not supporting the Constitution as it was written. [I.A. Considerations that Influenced the Constitution]

The Founding Fathers' Impact on Bill of Rights
Students will evaluate and justify, using primary source materials, which rights in the Bill of Rights each founder, Hamilton, Madison, Washington, and Johns Adams, believed to be the most important. [I.A. Considerations that Influenced the Constitution]

Mending the Articles of Confederation
In this experiential learning activity, students will examine and appraise the Articles of Confederation. They will be required to formulate and defend arguments for and against mending the Articles of Confederation. The lesson will conclude with the students making changes to the Articles. [I.A. Considerations that Influenced the Constitution]

The Nixon Pardon
Students will analyze primary sources related to Watergate and President Nixon to learn about Constitutional provisions regarding impeachment, removal from office, and Presidential Pardons. [I.B. Separation of Powers]

The War Powers
Students will discuss and debate the Constitutional provisions regarding the power to declare and wage war, as well as the provisions of the 1973 War Powers Resolution. [I.B. Separation of Powers]

American Federalism
Using electronic media, students will examine the similarities and differences in the State and National American Governments. [I.C. Federalism]

Equal Protection, the Fourteenth Amendment, and National Citizenship
Students will be better prepared to explain and discuss the continuing impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on American society after analyzing primary sources including the Constitution and Supreme Court Opinions. [I.D. Theories of Democratic Government]

Natural Rights as a Basis of Government
Students will examine, analyze, and compare primary documents to conclude what natural rights are at the foundation of the United States government. [I.D. Theories of Democractic Government]

Natural Rights
Students will work either alone or in groups to create a poster illustrating Natural Rights. This experiential learning process will illustrate the Declaration of Independence's principles of life, liberty, and happiness. Note: This lessson is most appropriate for middle school students. [I.D. Theories of Democratic Government]

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II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors

The Korean War and Public Opinion
Students will use primary sources to analyze the affect of public opinion on the conduct of the Korean War. [II.C. Nature, Sources, and Consequences of Public Opinion]

Gaining the Right to Vote: The Nineteenth Amendment
Students will analyze primary sources from the women's suffrage movement and its opposition. [II.D. Citizen Participation]

The Power of Protest
This lesson plan examines the underground protest movement that erupted during the Depression era in the United States. In examining this movement, students will use primary sources to gain a broader understanding of the power of protest in the United States. [II.D. Citizen Participation]

The Roles of Citizens in America
This experiential learning activity will serve as a chance for students to participate in a mock vote to make them aware of the procedure used when they are eligible to vote. [II.D. Citizen Participation]

Public Opinion
Students will use digital media to analyze and compare several pieces of data showing public opinion at different times in American History. They will then analyze the socio-political factors that influence public opinon. [II.E. Factors that Influence Citizens' Beliefs and Behaviors]

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III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

Presidential Campaigns: The Race for 270
In this experiential learning activity, students will assume the role of manager to a major presidential campaign. They will analyze electoral maps, create a mock presidential campaign, analyze party agendas, examine which states have traditionally gone to which party and determine which states have not reliably voted for either party. Finally, students are to identify which of these “swing” states their candidate will need and how they propose to win them. [III.A. Political Parties and Elections]

The 1950's: The Rise of Consumer Culture and Those it Left Behind
Through this lesson plan, students will evaluate primary sources to prepare them to describe and explain the rise of consumer culture in the 1950s and its political and socio-economic impact. [III.C. Mass Media]

The Presidential Election of 1800
This lesson will allow the students the opportunity to learn about political life, specifically the 1800 presidential campaign. After brief research and query, the students will role play a debate that never occurred, the debate of 1800. Students will better their understanding of the pressures and opportunities that accompany a debate through rehearsal and role play. [III.A.4. Political Parties and Elections- Effects on the Political Process]

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IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts

The Constitution as a Living Document
This lesson will provide an overview of the Supreme Court's interpretation of Articles I through III of the United States Constitution. Also, this lesson will examine how the Constitution is amended and how it provides checks and balances for the three branches of government. [IV.A. Institutional Arrangements of Power, Relationships and Balances of Power]

Executive Orders
This lesson plan allows students to place executive orders in their historical context using primary sources. [IV.A. Institutional Arrangements of Power]

Executive Powers of the President
Students will use primary sources to explain how an executive's perception of power can differ from president to president. [IV.A. Institutional Arrangements of Power]

Supreme Court Justice for a Day
Students will select and analyze a Supreme Court decision to determine whether it strengthens or weakens the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. In reviewing the decision, the students will also review the majority and minority opinions. Finally, the students will act as a Supreme Court Justice by determining their vote on a case (majority or minority) and writing their own opinion. [IV.A. Institutional Arrangements of Power]

The Constitution and the Presidency
Using primary sources and digital media, students will examine the various roles, responsibilities, requirements, and powers of the presidency of the United States. [IV.B. Relationships Among the Institutions and Balances of Power]

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V. Public Policy

Amending the Constitution
Using experiential learning techniques, students will propose amendments to the United States Constitution. Students will examine and analyze current Amendments to the Constitution. In addition, students will create and support their own constitutional amendment to the Constitution. [V.A. Policymaking in the Federal System]

The Legislative Process: Idea to Law
In this experiential learning activity, students will participate in the process of passing a law or bill through the House of Representatives. [V.A. Policymaking in teh Federal System]

Presidential Decision-Making in Vietnam
In this role play activity, students will analyze the policy formation process. Each group will be comprised of an American President during Vietnam, Presidential advisors, and a scenario that is historic and calls for action. Each advisor will try to convince the President on a line of action. The President will need to make a choice and defend it. [V.B. Formation of Policy Agendas]

1970's Energy Crisis
This lesson plan examines the affect of the 1972 OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) Oil Crisis throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Students will use primary sources to explore how the Carter Administration reacted to the pressures of the embargo. [V.B. Formation of Policy Agendas]

Learing About Public Policy Through the New Deal
In this experiential learing activity, students will evaluate the success or failure of the New Deal programs and discuss why some programs were successful while others failed. In this way, students will gain an deeper understanding of the public policy process. [V.B. Formation of Policy Agendas]

The Role of Presidential Advisors
Using the Bay of Pigs Invasion as a framework, the class will role play as members of the President's staff and CIA to understand how a presidential advisor functions in the American Government. [V.B. Formation of Policy Agendas]

Hoover and FDR Policies in the Great Depression
This lesson plan will ask students to explore the contrasting economic policies of the Hoover and Roosevelt Administrations as a response to the Great Depression. By analyzing primary sources, students will understand the complex nature of presidential policies. [V.C. Role of Institutions in the Enactment of Policy]

The Mechanics of a Legislative Hearing
In this experiential learning activity, students will identify methods that Congress utilizes to gather information and how the public participates in the legislative process through congressional hearings. [V.C. Role of Institutions in the Enactment of Policy]

Effects of Public Opinion on Law and Policy
Using experiential learning techniques, students will examine and revise a law or rule that they believe is unjust. In addition, the student will theorize and identify groups of people that are affected by the law being examined. This lesson will make use of various internet resources to assist the students in their tasks. [V.E.4. Linkage Between Public Policy and Public Opinion]

Prohibition as a Grassroots Movement
Utilizing experiential learning techniques, students will gain an understanding of the temperance and prohibition movements as examples of citizen participation in political life. [V.E.4. Linkage Between Policy and Public Opinion

Analyzing Inaugural Speeches
Students will examine the extent in which presidents since World War II have achieved the goals stated in their inaugural addresses. [V.E.5. Linkage Between Policy and Elections]

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VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Dred Scott Decision Mock Trial
By participating in a mock Supreme Court trial, students will understand the arguments posed by both the plaintiff and defendant, as well as comprehend how the Constitution has been interpreted differently for the same events. [VI.A. Development of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights by Judicial Interpretation]

The Establishment Clause
This lesson will expose students to Supreme Court Cases dealing with the Establishment and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. [VI.A. Development of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights by Judicial Interpretation]

The Establishment Clause and the Schools
Through this primary source-based lesson, students will better understand and interpret the Etablishment Clause of the First Amendment and apply it to a Supreme Court case. [VI.A. Development of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights by Judicial Interpretation]

Protection and Expansion of the Bill of Rights
The students will examine the different interpretations of the 14th Amendment by the Supreme Court, including the Fundamental Rights Interpretation, Total Incorporation, and Selective Incorporation. Evidence to support these theories or interpretations will be found in the primary documents e.g., Supreme Court cases. [VI.A. Development of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights by Judicial Interpretation]

The Evolution of Human Rights
Students will analyze what rights are necessary for a democratic nation to exist by examining primary sources, including the Magna Carta, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. [VI.B. Substantive Rights and Liberties]

The First Amendment and Freedom of Expression
Students will gain better understanding of freedom of expression as laid out in the constitution and decided upon by the Supreme Court by participating in a mock trial. [VI.B. Substantive Rights and Liberties]

The First Amendment and the Separation of Church and State
In this experiential learning activity, students will debate the controversial issue of religious prayer in public schools. This exercise will prepare students to identify the constitutional provisions protecting the establishment and free exercise of religion and require them to analyze Supreme Court cases relating to the free exercise of religion. [VI.B. Substantive Rights and Liberties]

The Bill of Rights
Students will analyze primary sources in this examination of the first ten Amendments and be prepared to discuss the rights embedded in the United States Constitution. [VI.B. Substantive Rights and Liberties]

Protections of Individual Rights in the Bill of Rights
This lesson will prepare students to identify individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution and describe limitations placed on the government by the Bill of Rights. Additionally, students will learn to utilize digital media sources in an academic environment. [VI.B. Substantive Rights and Liberties]

Religious Freedom in a Democratic Society
Students will analyze primary sources in this examination of the free exercise of religion clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and discover what role it plays in the nation today. Note: There are two parts to this lesson plan. Both parts are in included in this .zip file. [VI.B. Substantive Rights and Liberties]

Voting Rights in America
Students will analyze voting measures including the 15th 19th and 26th Amendments, as wells as Baker v. Carr, (1962) Reynolds v. Sims and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The lesson plan will conclude with the frontiers in voting law, such as resident alien voting and the voter identification laws recently upheld by the Supreme Court in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board. [VI.B. Substantive Rights and Liberties]

How the Protections of the Bill of Rights have been Developed and Expanded
The students will examine the different interpretations of the 14th Amendment by the Supreme Court. The different interpretations are the Fundamental Rights Interpretation, Total Incorporation, and Selective Incorporation. Evidence to support these theories or interpretations will be found in the primary documents e.g., Supreme Court cases. [VI.C. Impact of the Fourteenth Amendment]

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