BW #1

• List 3 benefits of being familiar with American government (history of it, how it works, who people are, etc.)– Yes….there ARE benefits. It is an

unacceptable answer to say “There are none”. Just think about it and write your answers.

BW # 2

• Write a full page response to the following questions.– What are your duties and

responsibilities as a citizen of the United States?

– What is the role you play in government?

BW #3• “The natural progress of things is for liberty

to yield and government to gain ground.”(This means it is natural that you have to lose some freedoms (or have them restricted) in order for the government to grow and get stronger.)

• Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

• Write a ½ page response.

BW #4

• Write a 1/2 page response to the following question:

– Why is peaceful resolution to conflict important for democracy?

BW #5

• This image represents one student’s willingness to stand up in the face of certain danger for a belief—in this case, the desire for democracy. Have you ever felt the need to stand up for a belief, an idea, for the rights of another?

• Write at least a ½ page response to this photo. Explain a situation in which you had to stand up for something in which you believed and defend your actions.

A Beijing demonstrator blocks the path of a tank convoy along the Avenue of Eternal Peace near Tiananmen Square.

BW #6

• Class Feedback

– Write what you feel about your experience in this Government class so far.

– What things do you like and dislike?– What are your expectations for this

semester?

– Must be at least ½ page

BW #7• Review the text on page 29-30 about

ordered, limited and representative government and the Magna Carta.

• Could the basic concepts of ordered, limited and representative government have developed without the signing of the Magna Carta?

• Explain your answer. ½ page required.

BW #8

• List at least one right established by each of the following documents:– Magna Carta– Petition of Right– English Bill of Rights– Virginia Bill of Rights– Bill of Rights (U.S.)

• You may use pages 29-33 in your textbook for help.

BW #9

• What is the most important event that has happened within your lifetime that has affected the world we live in? (Y2K, 9/11, election of President Obama, war in Iraq, etc.)

• Why is this event so important?• Be sure to list the factors that made

this event significant for the world we live in?

BW #10• What were the major issues on which

the delegates agreed to compromise?

• In what ways did the compromises concerning slavery represent a contradiction of the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

• (Answers can be 1-2 sentences each.)

BW #11

• What kind of government do you think best protects citizens’ natural rights: – a stronger one similar to that under that

Constitution

or– a weaker one similar to that under the

Articles of Confederation? Explain your answer.

BW #12

• What basic principle, listed in the Preamble, do you feel is most important? – Why?

BW #13

• What is the Supremacy Clause? Do you believe this is a positive or negative addition to the Constitution? Explain your answer.

BW # 14

• How does the Constitution affect your life today?

BW #15

• Why is it important to be able to make changes to the U.S. Constitution?

BW #16

• Look in the back of your book at the Bill of Rights and complete the following in your composition book:

• Identify and explain which amendment (from 1-10) that you feel you COULD NOT live without.

BW #17

• Are there instances where you believe public safety should be considered more important than an individuals right to privacy?

• Write 1 – 3 sentences in response to the question.

• Make sure you explain yourself well!!!!

BW #18

• Why might it be important for all interests to have an equal chance to be represented in government?

• Do you think the diversity of interests in the United States makes the government less efficient? Explain your answer.

BW # 19

• What characteristics and qualifications do you think members of Congress should have?

• Why?

#20

• Using your textbook (pg 281) list the three main jobs of a Congressman.

• Which one of these do you feel is most important?

• Why?

#21

• Using your textbook (pgs 282-283) name the different benefits that members of Congress receive.

#22

• Do you support the idea of term limits for members of Congress, or do you believe that they should be able to serve and unlimited number of terms?

• Why?

#23

• What type of carrers would you like to have when you are out of school?

• What are the qualifications for these jobs or careers?

• Why are these qualifications necessary?

#24

• What qualifications does it take to be President of the United States?

(pg 356-357)• What other qualities do you believe

should be required of the President of the United States?

#25

• List and briefly describe the 8 roles of the President.

#26

• Do you think the presidency has become too powerful an office?

• Are there enough checks on presidential power?

• Explain your answer.