1. Government October 12, 2004 1. Warm up—What is a political party? 2. Chapter 5: Political Parties (p. 126-127 Main Ideas 1-16; Critical Thinking 1-3) DUE THURSDAY

2. Government October 15, 2004 1. Warm up—Why does the U.S. have a two party system? 2. Political Parties discussed

3. Government October 18, 2004 1. Warm up—What is key difference between the Republican and Democratic parties? 2. FDR and the parties as we know them 3. This year’s platforms (notes and activity)

4. Government October 19, 2004 1. Warm up—Why do Republicans favor a less active role for government in the economy? 2. FDR reviewed 3. Party platforms and your own political views outlined

5. Government October 21, 2004 1. Warm up—what is a party platform? 2. Group activity continued 3. Finding consensus 4. The Republican’s examined

6. Government October 22, 2004 1. Warm up—what is consensus? 2. The platform established 3. Portfolio update 4. The Republican party

7. Government (4 th per) October 25, 2004 1. Warm up—Who can be denied the right to vote? 2. Portfolio entry and update 3. Voting in America (reading) 4. The Republican party

8. Government (6 th per) October 25, 2004 1. Warm up—Who can be denied the right to vote? 2. The Republican party

9. Government October 26, 2004 1. Warm up—Which party is the GOP? 2. Political Parties in the news: for homework 3. The Election

10. Government October 28, 2004 1. Warm up—What is public opinion? 2. Predicting a winner. (Reading, articles, discussion) 3. Analyzing your article. 4. Focus question: Is the media biased? 5. Outfoxed

11. Government October 29, 2004 1. Warm up—why is knowing the size of the sample important to understanding the validity of a opinion poll? 2. Quiz 3. A few questions about the media.

12. Government November 1, 2004 1. Warm up—What is the electoral college? 2. Poll tracker 3. Predicting a winner in the presidential election. What information is necessary? 4. Reading and questions

13. Government November 2, 2004 1. Warm up—Explain one reason why some believe the Electoral College should be abolished. 2. The election examined (issues and swing states) 3. Does it matter who’s president? (1 page; finish for homework)

14. Government November 4, 2004 1. Warm up—The results of several exits polls for Tuesday’s election proved to be wrong. Given what you know about polling, how would you explain these errors? 2. Outline the main points from Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 from the chapter-in-brief for each chapter. Also, the section we covered in class on the electoral college. EXAM Friday 3. The Legislative Branch video and notes

15. Government November 5, 2004 EXAM has been cancelled. Instead each student will write 1 page on the topic below. You can use your book and notes. Due at the end of the period. George Bush has just be elected to a second term. Explain the role money plays in shaping public opinion and ultimately, winning elections.

16. Government November 8, 2004 1. Warm up—what does the legislative branch do? 2. Article 1 (notes, discussion) 3. Legislative branch (video, notes)