Government, Day 3 - Class Recap

The Parliament of Barbados, in the Caribbean. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

We went into more detail as to what government is and looks like in various systems around the world. Lots of content to check out! Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Knowledge LT 17: I can explain how and why world societies organize themselves and how power is established and maintained.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Behavior LT 3: I can communicate and work effectively within a team or group.

Soundtrack: "Paris, Tokyo" by Lupe Fiasco. Selected for today because it is just an excellent song about traveling around the world. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 11/16/17:
News Brief – Vicky
Debrief Forced Choice
Forms of Government
Group Work

Homework: Read the blog. Turn in any missing work ASAP! Next news brief: Emina.

News Brief: Vicky had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: VICE.com - Canadian and British Backpackers Mysteriously Die in Cambodia. We found Cambodia in the world map (in Asia!) and discussed the article for a bit. It is important that we continue learning about what is going on in the world and where events take place! Thanks, Vicky!

Emina was selected to do the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

I also asked about what people were up to outside of class, before moving on.

Debrief Forced Choice: This was when we talked about how the activity went and the answers to these questions (a one page written reflection was due to be completed in class today): What was the most difficult or controversial question for you? Why? How do these sorts of questions relate to the study of government?

I really like the debate format in forced choice (obviously, or I wouldn't spend the majority of two days on it), so thank you for your participation and reflection!

Forms of Government: This was a PowerPoint presentation that went over various basic forms of government. Students took Cornell Notes (if they wanted that form - otherwise, it was on a regular sheet of paper) on the lecture. Here's the file for review (there will be an upcoming quiz on forms of government):

Google Drive - Forms of Government PowerPoint

As with most presentations I create, the pictures are almost entirely mine! :-)

Group Activity: The last part of class was devoted to getting into small groups (which I assigned randomly) to investigate a specific form of government and go through some benefits and drawbacks of it. Next class, the small groups will be performing brief skits to demonstrate the form of government they have been given! Here is a link to the handout from today (each group was assigned one):

Google Drive - Forms of Government Group Activity

We finished with this today (it is NOT homework to complete). Next class, I will give time to finish creating the skits, we will perform them, then have some Thanksgiving themed activities. See you next class!