AP U.S. Government Foundations of Democracy | AP Government | AP Gov Unit 1

Fully editable unit for your AP GOPO Unit 1 needs.

Aligned with the AP U.S. Government & Politics Course and Exam Description Redesign, effective Fall 2023

Foundations of American Democracy Unit 1 Includes:

• Constitutional Underpinnings
• Federalism

Word Documents

• 4 Free Response Questions in the AP Gov redesign format - 120 Minute Timed Exam
• 28-question Multiple Choice exam - 40 Minute Timed Exam
• Unit Answer Key with each question tied to a:
• Disciplinary Practice
• Reasoning Process
• Learning Objective

• FRQ Rubrics broken down by:
• Skills – static – the same used for the national exam
• Scoring Criteria – static – the same used for the national exam
• Scoring Notes (where relevant)
• Possible Answers
• Applicable Essential Knowledge

• Score Sheet for easy exam scoring
• Notes to Teacher

143-slide Unit Power Point - Google Slides

This is more than just a PowerPoint. Mini lessons, skill building and extension opportunities abound!

• Content Outline from AP Gov Course Embedded
• Skill Building Exercises Included
• Content-rich Slides with Animated Transitions
• Teacher Lecture Notes for in-depth instructional practices include:
• Links to relevant sites
• Resources to enhance teacher background knowledge
• Talking Points to enhance the bullet-point content
• Conversation starters including questions and suggested answers
• Many suggestions for continuing the lesson and enrichment activities

PDF of all Unit Materials

• Note from Ashley
• Unit Table of Contents
• Scope and Sequence
• Helpful Hints
• Customer Tips
• Required Supreme Court Case Graphic Organizer (handout)
• Unit PowerPoint in Handout Form (for student note-taking)
• Unit PowerPoint with Teacher Lecture Notes
• Unit Exam
• Unit Answer Key
• FRQ Rubrics
• Exam notes

PowerPoint is downloaded as Google Slides. The unit exam is available as a Word Doc OR Google Forms to assist with distance learning.

Topics Covered:

• Limited Government
• Natural Rights
• Popular Sovereignty
• Republicanism
• Social Contract
• Representative Democracies
• Compromise in the
• Constitutional Underpinnings
• Checks & Balances
• Separation of Powers
• Federal Powers
• Fiscal Federalism
• Commerce Clause
• Necessary & Proper Clause
• 10th Amendment
• 14th Amendment
• Federalism & Policymaking

Required Documents Included:

• Declaration of Independence
• Constitution
• Federalist #10
• Federalist #51
• Brutus #1
• Articles of Confederation
• McCulloch v. Maryland
• United States v. Lopez

In-Depth Discussions:

• Freedom v. Security after 9/11
• Federalism and Public Education

A Note on Textbooks:

This content is directly aligned with the AP U.S. Government & Politics Course Description. Any AP Government textbook should cover all content included in this purchase. As I was designing these resources, I referenced:

• "Government in America" by Edwards, Wattenberg & Howell (17th Edition, AP): Chapters 1, 2 & 3
• "United States Government & Politics" by David Wolfford (2nd Edition, AMSCO): Chapters 1 &2

Scope & Sequence, Skill-Building Exercises, FRQ's w/ rubric, Exam w/ key, PPT w/ Lecture Notes and Discussion Questions, Resources for Teacher Background Knowledge.

Have questions before you buy? Email Ashley@Weavers.World.

Annual link check and update to keep content relevant completed on August 14, 2023.  All buyers will have access to my annual updates until the next College Board redesign of the course (2028-ish).

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