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United States Government Honors Academic Library

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United States Government Honors Online

This semester-long course provides students with a practical understanding of the principles and procedures of government. The course begins by establishing the origins and founding principles of American government. After a rigorous review of the Constitution and its Amendments, students investigate the development and extension of civil rights and liberties. Lessons also introduce influential Supreme Court decisions to demonstrate the impact and importance of constitutional rights.

HIGHSCHOOL-B

Students should see our statement about these courses which are not authored from a biblical worldview. Students uncomfortable with these courses should enroll in our courses from a biblical worldview. 

United States Government Honors 

Unit 1: ​CELEBRATING FREEDOM AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

  1. Introduction to Government Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – What is the relationship between citizens and government?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Read a letter from Thomas Jefferson.
    5. Quiz Answers
  2. Types of Governments Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How are types of governments different around the world?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Write about a type of government.
    5. Quiz Answers
  3. The Origins of Democracy Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How have ancient principles influenced the development of American government?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Explain the origins of democracy.
    5. Quiz Answers
  4. English Influences on Government Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How did certain English political documents influence the role of government?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Write about the English Bill of Rights.
    5. Quiz Answers
  5. The Enlightenment Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction -How did the Enlightenment influence ideas of government?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Analyze the works of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.
    5. Quiz Answers
  6. The Declaration of Independence Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – What is the meaning and purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment -Read from the Declaration of Independence.
    5. Quiz Answers
  7. The Need for a Constitution Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – Why did the failure of the Articles of Confederation lead to a new government?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Interpret political cartoons.
    5. Assignment – Prepare to create a political cartoon.
    6. Project: Political Cartoon – Create a political cartoon.
    7. Quiz Answers
  8. Drafting the Constitution Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How did compromise play a role in the drafting of the constitution?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Analyze views about the US Constitution.
    5. Quiz Answers
  9. Unit Test
    1. Unit Test Review Answers
    2. ​Unit Test Answers

Unit 2: ​CELEBRATING THE CONSTITUTION

  1. Principles and the Preamble Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – Which governing principles are identified in the Constitution?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Write about the principles of the Constitution.
    5. Quiz Answers
  2. Federalism in the Constitution Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How are powers divided between federal and state governments?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Analyze national and state powers.
    5. Quiz Answers
  3. Article I: Congress Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction -How does the Constitution structure the legislative branch?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Write about forming a legislature.
    5. Quiz Answers
  4. Article II: The Presidency Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – Why does the Constitution create limited executive powers?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Read and analyze the president’s duties.
    5. Quiz Answers
  5. Article III: The Courts Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – Why do Supreme Court justices serve life terms?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Analyze the structure and role of the judicial branch.
    5. Quiz Answers
  6. Article IV-VII: The Role of the Constitution Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How do Articles IV through VII illustrate the idea of federalism?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Explore constitutional amendments.
    5. Quiz Answers
  7. Federalists and Anti-Federalists Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – Why were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists divided over ratification of the Constitution?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Read Federalist and Anti-Federalist viewpoints.
    5. Quiz Answers
  8. The Supreme Court and the Role of Government Guided Notes
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How did early Supreme Court decisions expand the powers of the federal government?
    3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    4. Assignment – Read a Supreme Court case.
    5. Quiz Answers
  9. Writing Workshop: The Purpose of Government
    1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
    2. Instruction – How do you write an argumentative essay on the purpose of government?
    3. Pre-Writing – Develop a claim about the purpose of government.
    4. Instruction – How do you write an argumentative essay on the purpose of government?
    5. Rough Draft – Create a draft of an argumentative essay.
    6. Instruction – How do you write an argumentative essay on the purpose of government?
    7. Final Draft – Revise and finalize an argumentative essay.
    8. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
    9. Quiz Answers
  10. Unit Test
    1. Unit Test Review Answers
    2. ​Unit Test Answers

    Unit 3: ​CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

    1. The Bill of Rights Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the Bill of Rights protect civil liberties?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Read about the debate over the Bill of Rights.
      5. Quiz Answers
    2. Your Rights: Freedom of Religion Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How has the First Amendment shaped the relationship between religion and government?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Practice analyzing cases about freedom of religion.
      5. Quiz Answers
    3. Your Rights: Freedom of Expression Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the First Amendment protect and limit the freedom of expression?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze the right to expression through Texas v. Johnson.
      5. Quiz Answers
    4. Your Rights: Due Process Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How are the rights of the accused protected and limited by the Fourth and Fifth Amendments?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze the Supreme Court’s decision in Yarborough v. Alvarado.
      5. Quiz Answers
    5. Your Rights: Trials and Punishments Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How are the rights of the accused protected at trial and sentencing?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze the Sixth and Eighth Amendments.
      5. Quiz Answers
    6. Your Rights: Personal Privacy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How has the right to privacy been defined and protected by the Supreme Court?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze the right to privacy and the Ninth Amendment.
      5. Quiz Answers
    7. The Fourteenth Amendment Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How did the Fourteenth Amendment lead to a new interpretation of the Bill of Rights?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Explore the changing interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment.
      5. Quiz Answers
    8. The Supreme Court and Civil Rights Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How have major Supreme Court rulings impacted civil rights?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze Supreme Court decisions on equal access.
      5. Quiz Answers
    9. Extending Voting Rights Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How have voting rights been extended to more Americans?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Read about the history of the Fifteenth Amendment.
      5. Quiz Answers
    10. Case Study: The Stolen Valor Act
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – If you were a Supreme Court justice assigned to a civil liberties case, what would you decide?
      3. Assignment – Analyze earlier court decisions.
      4. Instruction – If you were a Supreme Court justice assigned to a civil liberties case, what would you decide?
      5. Assignment – Analyze precedent in past cases.
      6. Instruction – If you were a Supreme Court justice assigned to a civil liberties case, what would you decide?
      7. Project: Supreme Court Opinion – Write a Supreme Court opinion explaining your decision.
      8. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      9. Quiz Answers
    11. Unit Test
      1. Unit Test Review Answers
      2. ​Unit Test Answers

    Unit 4: ​GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS

    1. The House of Representatives Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the House of Representatives serve citizens today?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze data about the House of Representatives.
      5. Quiz Answers
    2. The Senate Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – What are the structure, function, and powers of the US Senate?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Write about a Senate committee.
      5. Quiz Answers
    3. The Presidency and Its Powers Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – What are the president’s duties and powers?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Read about the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
      5. Quiz Answers
    4. The Federal Bureaucracy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the federal bureaucracy operate?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Read about changes to the cabinet’s role in defending America.
      5. Quiz Answers
    5. The Judicial Branch Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How do the federal and state courts systems interact?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Explore the judiciary system.
      5. Quiz Answers
    6. State Government Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How are state governments organized to meet the needs of citizens?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Explore the state government of Maine.
      5. Quiz Answers
    7. Local Government Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – What are the structures and roles of local governments?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze the structure and role of local governments.
      5. Quiz Answers
    8. Writing Workshop: Researching an Agency
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How do you write an informative essay about a federal agency?
      3. Pre-Writing – Create an outline in response to an informative essay prompt.
      4. Instruction – How do you write an informative essay about a federal agency?
      5. Rough Draft – Write a draft of an informative essay about a federal agency.
      6. Instruction – How do you write an informative essay about a federal agency?
      7. Final Draft – Revise and finalize an informative essay.
      8. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      9. Quiz Answers
    9. Unit Test
      1. Unit Test Review Answers
      2. ​Unit Test Answers

    Unit 5: C​IVICS AND PARTICIPATION

    1. A Citizen’s Responsibilities Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – What does it mean to be a citizen?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Write about your responsibilities as a citizen.
      5. Quiz Answers
    2. Political Perspectives Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – Why do citizens hold different political ideologies?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Write about how you form an opinion.
      5. Quiz Answers
    3. Political Parties Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – What role do political parties play in American democracy?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Explore political party platforms.
      5. Quiz Answers
    4. Campaigns and Elections Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – What is the role of campaigns and elections in the political process?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze campaign finance issues.
      5. Quiz Answers
    5. Voting Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – Why is voting an important form of participating in government?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze data about voting.
      5. Quiz Answers
    6. Interest Groups and Lobbying Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How do interest groups influence American government?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Read excerpts from a speech about lobbyists.
      5. Quiz Answers
    7. The Media and Politics Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the media affect the political process?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze the connection between the media and political campaigns.
      5. Quiz Answers
    8. Voter ID Laws
      1. ​Short Writing: Voter IDs: Yea or Nay?
      2. Explore perspectives and policies related to voter ID laws Then write 1-2 paragraphs describing the benefits and drawbacks of these laws, and your evidence-based recommendations for the policy that would best support free and fair elections.
      3. Project: Voter IDs: Yea or Nay? – Participate in a debate about voter ID laws and present findings in a PowerPoint presentation.
    9. Unit Test
      1. Unit Test Review Answers
      2. ​Unit Test Answers

    Unit 6: ​PUBLIC POLICY

    1. Creating Public Policy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How is public policy created?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Review the basics of public policy.
      5. Quiz Answers
    2. Fiscal Policy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the government collect and spend money?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Explore the federal budget.
      5. Quiz Answers
    3. Regulatory Policy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does regulation influence the economy and benefit citizens?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze the reasons for government regulation.
      5. Quiz Answers
    4. Social Policy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the government respond to social policy issues?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze data about issues facing Medicare and Social Security.
      5. Quiz Answers
    5. Foreign Policy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How is foreign policy created and implemented?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Explore foreign policy on the White House Website.
      5. Quiz Answers
    6. National Security Policy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does the US national security policy affect other nations?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Analyze national security policy documents.
      5. Quiz Answers
    7. Global Economic Policy Guided Notes
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How does US economic foreign policy affect other nations?
      3. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      4. Assignment – Explore international trade agreements.
      5. Quiz Answers
    8. Case Study: Proposing Education Policy Solutions
      1. ​Warm-Up – Get ready for the lesson.
      2. Instruction – How would you write an opening statement for a debate on education policy?
      3. Assignment – Explore the rising cost of higher education.
      4. Instruction – How would you write an opening statement for a debate on education policy?
      5. Assignment – Write a claim, solution, and outline for your policy approach.
      6. Instruction – How would you write an opening statement for a debate on education policy?
      7. Project: Opening Statement – Write an opening statement for a presidential candidate.
      8. Summary – Review and connect what you learned.
      9. Quiz Answers
    9. Unit Test
      1. Unit Test Review Answers
      2. ​Unit Test Answers

    Unit 7: Cumulative Exam

    1. Cumulative Exam Review Answers
    2. Cumulative Exam Answers