Week 4

Sept 5 - Sept 9
Foundations of American Democracy

Monday, Sept 5
No School - Labor Day

Tuesday Sept 6
Objective: To improve the skills necessary to answer an FRQ

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-government-and-politics/
resources-and-exam-preparation/resources-exam-prep/a/free-response-tips

Pay close attention to the task verbs in the question. Each one directs you to complete a
specific type of response. Here are the task verbs you’ll see on the exam:

● Compare: Provide a description or explanation of similarities and/or differences.

● Define: Provide a specific meaning for a word or concept.
● Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic.
● Develop an argument: Articulate a claim and support it with evidence.
● Draw a conclusion: Use available information to formulate an accurate statement that
demonstrates understanding based on evidence.
● Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position,
situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning. Explain “how” typically
requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome;
whereas explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the
relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.
● Identify: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or
explanation.

Practice FRQ
The framers of the Constitution created a political system based on limited government.
The original Constitution and the Bill of Rights were intended to restrict the powers of the
national government. Later constitutional developments also limited the powers of state
governments.

1. Explain how each of the following limits the powers of the national executive.

a. Federalism

b. Checks and balances

2. Explain how each of the following provisions in the Bill of Rights limits the powers of the
national government

a. Establishment clause

b. Guarantee of a public trial

3. Choose one of the following and explain how it limits the power of state governments.

a. Citizenship clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

b. Selective incorporation

Wednesday, Sept 7
Objective: To improve the skills necessary to answer an FRQ

Review FRQs from yesterday

Thursday, Sept 8
Objective: To assess Foundations of American Democracy - Unit 1

Summative

Current Events due by 4:00 pm