Summer Packet Questions

For those of you who lost / never recieved the 60 questions that go with the 2 Intro to Government packets, here they are, in Word .doc format.  Remember to use GoogleDocs if you don’t have Microsoft Word on your computer.

introduction-to-united-states-government-i

introduction-to-united-states-government-ii

Summer Work Blog #3 (LAST ONE!)

After completing blog #2, you have reflected upon your own political ideals.  Now, it’s time to do a little political science.

Go the The Political Compass web site.

Read the homepage, then click the link on the top left corner of the screen, “Take the Test”.

After completing the test, include the following TWO items in your post:

1. The results of the test.
2. Your thoughts on the validity of the test.

In other words, tell me how the test categorizes you politically, and then tell me if you think it’s accurate.

Remember, this is the last of three blog responses required for the summer work obligations.  All summer work, including the blogs, is due on August 22nd (papers should be turned in at the high school main office).  Late work will NOT be collected (zero points if not turned in by 8.22).

SUMMER WORK BLOG #2

A couple of weeks late, but we’ll make up for it by making the second of three blogs quick and painless.  Respond to this post with a brief (one paragraph) summary of your political ideology.

What’s that mean, you ask?  Well, are you conservative or liberal?  A Democrat or a Republican?  Or something altogether different?  How sure are you of your political alignment?  Why are you what you say you are?  It’s a wide open, broad question that can be answered a great many different ways, so give it your best shot and let us know where you stand.

You will be encouraged to speak your mind a lot in AP Gov, so we might as well start here.  Don’t worry if you aren’t sure how to answer this question.  Just know that you are free to change your mind (and as you become more educated about government and politics, you certainly should change your mind on some things!).

This is not the time to argue about who is right or wrong, so please, don’t go there.  We will respect everyone’s position with the humility of knowing we all have a lot to learn about politics!

As is the case for all blog assignments, your response is due on August 22nd.  I encourage you to respond quickly, however, as it will afford the class time to reflect upon your thoughts.  Thanks!

Summer Work Due Date

All summer work is due on Friday, August 22nd to the main office in the high school.  This will give me a few days to grade your work so that it is ready by the first day of school.

A reminder of your assignments:

• Read The Vanishing Voter
• Write an essay on The Vanishing Voter, 8 paragraphs total (intro, 6 body (1 per chapter), conclusion)
• Complete both sets of Introduction to Government questions (60 total)
• Respond to each of the three blog posts (one for each month, June, July, and August)

SUMMER WORK BLOG #1

This is the first of three summer work assignments you are required to complete.  Read the attached document, Democracy’s Challenge: Reclaiming the Public’s Role.  The article proposes a problem with government today, then poses three possible, but sometimes contradictory, solutions for the problem.  You must write one paragraph summarizing the pros and cons for each of the three solutions.  Three paragraphs for three solutions, to be turned in with your Vanishing Voter essay.  Then, you must decide which of the three you like the most and why and post a response to this blog post.

Again, you must write the three paragraphs, AND respond to the blog post with your favorite of the three approaches.

An additional note: if you’re having trouble viewing the PDF file, follow the directions for viewing a DOC file using Google Docs.  It works for PDF’s, too!

Thanks, and as always, contact me if you have problems.

How to Write an Essay

I’ve attached for your download a copy of a summary of the writing manual for honors social studies courses. Read it and use it! Your essays will be graded according to this handout. I use it as a kind of checklist when grading essays.

Writing Manual Summary in .doc format

Using ‘Google Docs’ to View .doc Files

For those of you that do not own Microsoft Word, you won’t be able to view any of the .doc files I might post.

However, there is an alternative! The good people at Google have an online word processing application that will allow you to view these files, even if you don’t have a copy of Microsoft Word at home.

Here’s a rundown on how to do it.

1. Save any .doc file to your hard drive. Be sure you remember where you save it – you’ll need to access it later.

2. Go to docs.google.com

3. Click ‘Upload’.

4. Under ‘Browse your computer to select a file to upload:’ click ‘Browse’.

5. Find the .doc file you downloaded to your hard drive and select it.

6. Click ‘Upload File’.

7. Read the .doc file! It should come right up in Google Docs.

As always, if you have trouble with this, let me know!