Winter Break Update

• Recycling for the Unit 4 Test was handed out on Wednesday, 12/21 (A-DAY) and Thursday, 12/22 (B-DAY).  It will be due on Thursday, 1/5 (A-DAY) & Friday, 1/6 (B-DAY).
• I am still in the process of grading the Cabinet assignment and Unit 4 study guides.  These will be the last 2 grades for the second quarter.  When they are both in the grade book, then that will be your final grade on the 2nd quarter report card.  Recycling and extra credit (last blog post) are the only opportunities to change that grade, and they will both be due on Thursday, 1/5 (A-DAY) & Friday, 1/6 (B-DAY).  (If you will not be here those days, then please email me those assignments)

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!!

Winter Break Extra Credit Opportunities

Below are 2 separate opportunities for students to earn some extra credit points over the break.  Each assignment will be worth up to 15 points.

The first opportunity involves typing a one page essay on what you would do if you were elected Mayor.  The best essays will be submitted to the Florida League of Mayors contest.  

• Essays should be typed; can be no more than 250 words long; and, not be more than one page. Please adhere to the word count.
• Essays (that are submitted by teacher) will become the property of the Florida League of Mayors and will not be returned.
• First, second, and third place essays will be published in the Florida League of Cities Quality Cities magazine and on the Florida League of Mayors website.
• Essays must begin with this statement, “If I were elected Mayor”

Judging/grading criteria will include:

• Creativity, clarity, sincerity of thought, and appropriate grammar, spelling and essay construction.
• Essays should focus on how to make your city a better place and no other levels of government (i.e. school districts, special districts, school lunches, bullying, etc.) Utilize Chapter 14 of your online textbook and the city of Jacksonville's website.

The link to the official flyer for this contest/extra credit opportunity with additional details can be found here.

The second opportunity is an Executive Branch web activity that must be hand-written.  The link to the assignment is below,  Utilize the www.USA.gov in order to complete the activity.

Executive Branch Web Activity

Unit 4 Study Guide & Test

The Unit 4 Study Guide (posted below) will be due on Monday, 12/19 (A-DAY) & Tuesday, 12/20 (B-DAY).  It is worth 30 points (half a point for every question).  Most of the answers can be found in your notes.

The Unit 4 Test will be 35 questions, multiple choice (worth 70 points).  The test will be on Monday, 12/19 (A-DAY) and Tuesday, 12/20 (B-DAY). Both the study guide and test will be counted for the second quarter.

Unit 4 Study Guide (Preamble & Structure/Functions of 3 Branches)

Remember to review your notes, online textbook, completed activities & blog (mschemer.blogspot.com)

1.      What are the 6 goals & purposes of the Preamble? **Understand the meaning of each of them** (CHAPTER 5, LESSON 3 OF YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK)	1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
2.      What is the significance of the phrase “We the People” in the Preamble? (Hint: Popular Sovereignty CHAPTER 5, LESSON 4)
3.      Why was a “more perfect union” necessary?
4.      Which branch makes the laws? 5.      Which article of the Constitution outlines this branches powers?	(CHAPTER 7 OF YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK)
6.      Why is Congress considered to be a bicameral body?
7.      Explain the process of how a bill becomes a law… (Be sure to include the following terms in your explanation: Standing Committee, Senate, House of Representatives, Conference Committee, President)
8.      What happens to a bill after it is introduced to the floor and before it is voted on?
9.      Before a bill makes it to the House or Senate, it must first pass through…
10.  Why is the “Necessary & Proper Clause” referred to as the “elastic clause”?  What type of power does it provide Congress?
11.  What are the 3 requirements to be elected into the House of Representatives?	1. 2. 3.
12.  What is the title of the leader of the House of Representatives?
13.  How long is a Representative’s term?
14.  What is representation in the House based on?
15.  How often does Congress adjust the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives?
16.  What are the 3 requirements to be elected into the Senate?	1. 2. 3.
17.  What is the title of the leader of the Senate?
18.  How long is a Senator’s term?
19.  What is the difference between expressed and implied powers?
20.  Provide 4 examples of the expressed powers of Congress.	1. 2. 3. 4.
21.  Provide 3 examples of the implied powers of Congress.	1. 2. 3.
22.  Provide 3 examples of the non-legislative (non-lawmaking) powers of Congress.	1. 2. 3.
23.  Provide 3 examples of how the President can check the powers of Congress.	1. 2. 3.
24.  What options does the President have when a bill reaches their desk?
25.  How long does a Congressional term last? (how long each Congress lasts with no elections)
26.  Which type of congressional committee is permanent?
27.  What is the title of the person that runs Senate meetings when the Vice President isn’t there?
28.  What is a filibuster?
29.  The only way to end a filibuster is through cloture. How is this achieved?
30.  Which branch enforces the laws? 31.  Which article of the Constitution outlines this branches powers?	(CHAPTER 8 OF YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK)
32.  List the 3 qualifications for becoming President.	1. 2. 3.
33.  How long is President’s term?
34.  What is the limit on Presidential terms?
35.                        Define the different roles of the President.	Head of State: Chief Executive: Commander-in-Chief: Chief Diplomat: Chief Legislator: Party Leader: Chief Economist:
36.  The President can grant ________ (the power to forgive someone from punishment).
37.  When the President appoints federal officials (cabinet, judges, ambassadors, etc.), who must confirm their nominations?
38.  What is the line of succession after the Vice President? (List the next 3)	1. 2. President Pro Tempore 3.
39.  Which house initiates impeachment charges on federal officials?
40.  Which house holds the trial and serves as jury when a federal official has been impeached?
41.  Which branch has the power to officially declare war?
42.  While the President can sign treaties with other countries, which house must approve?
43.  How does the president affect the laws that Congress passes?
44.  Match the cabinet department with the following roles. STATE JUSTICE LABOR DEFENSE TREASURY	Collects, borrows, spends, and prints money Deals with working conditions, wages of U.S. workers Plans and carries out nation’s foreign policy Responsible for all aspects of law enforcement Manages the armed forces
45.  Which branch interprets the laws? 46.  Which article of the Constitution outlines this branches powers?	(CHAPTER 9 OF YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK)
47.  What are the 3 different types of federal courts (in order from lowest to highest)?	1. 2. 3.
48.  Three verdicts from an appeals case are….	1. 2. 3.
49.  How does the power of judicial review act as a check on the legislative and executive branches?
50.  Which landmark Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review? (Ch. 9, Les. 3, Pg. 271)
51.  What two types of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction over?	1. 2.
52.  Most appeals reach the Supreme Court by a request for a _____________? (Latin for “to make more certain”) Ch. 9, Les. 4, Pg. 274
53.  How many Justices serve on the Supreme Court?
54.  What types of opinions do the Justices write? Why do they write opinions?
55.  What does it mean to nullify a law?
56.  What type of jurisdiction do federal district courts have? What does this mean?
57.  What type of jurisdiction do federal circuit courts have?  What does this mean?

Presidential Cabinet Assignment

Wednesday, 12/7 (A-DAY)
All students received their Presidential cabinet assignment.  It is worth 15 points (1 point for each nomination) and due on Tuesday, 12/13.

Thursday, 12/8 (B-DAY)
All students received their Presidential cabinet assignment.  It is worth 15 points (1 point for each nomination) and due on Monday, 12/12.

The directions for the assignment are below - the main objective is to present a valid connection between your nominee and the responsibilities of the each cabinet department.  Don't forget to provide 2 REASONS for each nomination.

Directions:

You are the President of the United States.  You are to select 15 qualified people to make up your Cabinet.  These people should be experts in their field because you will be depending on them to advise you when making decisions.  There are several rules that you must follow in making these selections.

a.     Five of your Cabinet members must be current entertainers, athletes, celebrities, or politicians.  They must currently be living.

b.     Five of your Cabinet members must be fictional characters from a book, television show, or movie.

c.      One of your Cabinet members must be a family member.

d.     Four of your Cabinet members must be people who lived in the past. (Think about famous historical figures you may have learned about recently).

You must be able to justify why that person was selected for each one of your appointments.  This means that you must understand the responsibilities and duties of each cabinet position before you select the person that has the right characteristics & experience to fulfill the tasks required.  Include at least 2 reasons for each appointment to support why your nominee is the right person for the job. Make sure each nominee is an American citizen (not including fictional characters) Utilize the chart on page 245 (Ch. 8, Lesson 4) in understanding what each cabinet department’s responsibilities are.

 For example, you might select Smokey the Bear as your Secretary of Interior due to his commitment to preventing forest fires.  He has dedicated his life's work to protecting our nation's forests since 1944, so he has 72 years of experience!  The Secretary of Interior protects and provides access to our nation’s national parks, wildlife, and water resources, making him an ideal candidate.