Unit 1 Government and Civics (Purpose of Government & Gov. Systems)

This resource equips educators with a variety of tools to introduce key concepts such as the purpose of government, social contract, natural rights, the "common good," governmental systems, and the foundational principles of American government.

What's Included:

1. Detailed Lesson Plan:

The lesson plan guides you through each step of the lesson.

2. 35-Slide Google Presentation (recently updated):

Google slide presentation provides an in-depth overview of the purpose of government, different forms of government, the concepts of social contract, "common good," definition of a state and formation of states (theories), direct versus representative democracy, and more.

Six slides are included (in addition to the 35 in the presentation) with activities that could be used as bell-ringers, enrichment, or review. The activities focus on the following topics: social contract versus individual interests, types of government, characteristics of democracy, and the difference between representative and direct democracy.

3. Guided Notes Worksheets:

Keep your students actively engaged with guided notes worksheets. These fill-in-the-blank worksheets correspond to the Google Slides presentation, allowing students to focus on key points while actively participating in the lesson. A Systems of Government Graphic Organizer and Key are also included (use as a supplement, assign as homework, or however you choose.)

4. Completed Guided Notes:

These serve as a valuable resource for review, differentiation, or sharing with students who may need additional support.

5. 2 Inquiry-Based Activities:

Hypothetical Scenario - Environmental Crisis:

Foster critical thinking and real-world application with my hypothetical scenario activity. Students will explore an environmental crisis scenario involving rising sea levels. They'll analyze how different forms of government might respond and discuss the potential impact on citizens, encouraging them to think deeply about government's role in crisis management.

Hypothetical Scenario- Social Contract Dilemma:

Foster critical thinking and real-world application with a hypothetical scenario activity where students will respond to a dilemma facing the community of Spring Valley. Spring Valley is experiencing social unrest due to extreme economic inequality. Students will respond to the dilemma from the perspective of three political philosophers; Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

6. One-Pager Assessment: This resource includes detailed instructions on how to create a one-pager, as well as topic suggestions to get students started. Evaluation criteria are clearly outlined to help teachers assess student work. Four one-pager templates are provided. A completed sample is included to demonstrate what a one-pager should look like.

7. Political and Economic Systems Reader's Theater (Educational & Humorous): Introduce your students to governmental and economic systems through a delightful blend of humor and education. Set in a reality cooking show, characters representing democracy, monarchy, communism, and more vie for culinary supremacy, students are taken on a flavorful journey that explores the core tenets and contrasts of each ideology.

8. Philosophical Foundations of Our Founding Documents (Philosopher's Notebook): This lesson focuses on the philosophical foundations of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Enlightenment thinkers included in this lesson are Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire.