What is Government?
Overview
The activities and assignments in this session will cause you to be engaged in understanding how our individual citizenship impacts our government.
Introduction
In this session, you will...
- Complete an assessment on the reading titled "The Purpose of Government"
- Analyze the Preamble to the Constitution
- Complete a scavenger hunt worksheet
Vocabulary
These are words you need to know that are relevant to the content of this session. Think about what they mean as you go through this session.
Words to know:
- Social Contract
- Primary Source
You should be able to clearly define them by the time you complete this session.
If necessary, search the web dictionary to find the definitions.
Reading
Please read this article, "The Purpose of Government."
This article will be used for future assignments in this session.
You may read this online or get a printed copy from the "American Government Handouts" folder in room 317.
Assessment
After reading the "The Purpose of Government", complete this assessment about the article.
Send the completed assessment as an attachment using Google Docs OR if you used a hardcopy, place your work in your instructor's IN box located in room 317.
Analyzing the Preamble
Download and print this copy of the US Constitution. Save to your H://drive for future reference.
You may choose to select a printed copy, or booklet located in the "American Government" folder in room 317 (Remember to write your name on it).
NOTE: You will be using this same copy throughout this course.
- First, locate the Preamble by highlighting it in yellow.
- Next, study the Preamble (introduction that starts with "We the people...") of the constitution and respond to the following by using evidence from the reading to support your response.
- What is the objective (goal) as it is written here?
- Rewrite the Preamble that addresses your generation today (people your age).
Submit your work as a Word Document attachment using your Brady Gmail account.
The Democracy Project
What is government and what role does it play in our lives? Why do we need government?
In its simplest form, a government determines the way in which a country, state, county, township, city or village is run. At every level, government makes laws that citizens must obey and creates policies about everything connected with the daily life of a community - whether that community is a nation, a state or the town where you live.
Research:
Fill out the "scavenger hunt worksheet" as you browse The Democracy Project website.
The Democracy Project Website - When in the site, click on "How Does Government Affect Me?"
Respond:
The Democracy Project Scavenger Hunt
Submit your work via your Brady Gmail account.
Did I Submit It?
Now that you have a better understanding about what government is, let's make sure that you completed and submitted all the assignments in this session before moving on to the next one.
√ I submitted it!
- U1S1 - "The Purpose of Government" assessment
- U1S1 - Analyzing the Preamble
- U1S1 - Scavenger hunt worksheet
Let's move on to the next session!
