DAVID CUTLER · 2025–2026 ARCHIVE
Public reading edition · October 10, 2026. Read the daily classwork and homework here; no school login is required. These dates and directions belong to the archived course. Classwork and homework from the 2025–2026 course.
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Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Introductions
Course expectations, syllabus review, introduction to AP Government
Kahoot: Introductions and anonymous quiz
Read syllabus, get textbook
One thing you hope to learn in this course
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Review syllabus details
Discuss course expectations and learning objectives
Friday current events presentations
Begin initial exploration of democratic principles
Activity: Group discussion on government’s role in society
No homework assigned (Camp)
Monday, September 8, 2025
Assessment: Summer reading comprehension test
After test: Brief introduction to Unit 1 themes
Read Ch. 1, pp. 6–8, “Why do we have a government?”; prepare for Topic 1.1 activities
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Review democratic ideals from reading/homework
Comparing Locke and Hobbes and influences of founding American documents (Activity)
Extended close reading and analysis
Read Declaration of Independence and complete homework part of today's Flint AI Activity.
How do the Declaration’s ideals still influence American politics today?
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Continuing Compare Locke and Hobbes, and influences of founding Declaration of Independence and Constitution (Activity).
State of nature theories
Social contract concepts
Influence on founding documents
Read Federalist 10 and Brutus 1, in preparation for Monday's activity.
How Locke’s ideas appear in the Declaration
Friday, September 12, 2025
Current Events Presentations: Democratic Ideals in Modern America
Two student presenters with focus on democratic ideals & Enlightenment philosophy today
Class discussion and Federalist No. 10 intro
Read Federalist 10 and Brutus 1, in preparation for Monday's activity
Which democratic ideal is most challenged today?
Monday, September 15, 2025
Madison on factions, large republic theory
Group activity: Apply to modern groups
Read Federalist 51 in preparation for Wednesday's activity
Do you agree with Madison’s solution?
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Checks and Balances
Read Articles of Confederation (provided)
How does Fed. 51 address Anti-Fed concerns?
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Structure, weaknesses, why it failed
Parlay: What if states had more power than the federal gov’t?
Comparison Activity: Articles vs. Constitution powers
Read Ch. 2, pp. 40–49, Constitutional Convention
Most critical weakness?
Friday, September 19, 2025
Current Events Presentations: Federalism & Government Power Debates
2 student presenters on federal-state power and separation of powers today
Class discussion connects to Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist debate
Continue Ch. 2 reading
Would Feds or Anti-Feds be more satisfied today?
Monday, September 22, 2025
Great Compromise, Three-Fifths, Electoral College, commerce/slave trade
Role-play states’ interests
No homework (Rosh Hashanah follows)
Which compromise was most essential?
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Historical context, ratification
Freedoms and protections
Group activity: Rank amendments
Case study applications
Read Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10)
How did the BoR address Anti-Fed concerns?
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Mr. Cutler is out today writing college letters. But we can't afford to fall behind! Please watch this video, which, while in-depth, covers a ton of important information, especially about the 14th Amendment and Inclusion and Incooperation regarding the Bill of Rights. Please write down any questions you might have, and we will discuss them in class.
Prepare for a quiz on Monday.
Friday, September 26, 2025
Current Events Presentations: Constitutional Principles Today
2 student presenters on separation of powers or Bill of Rights today
Discussion: Constitution as a “living document”
Read Ch. 3, pp. 88–96
Which founding doc best explains this event?
Monday, September 29, 2025
Parlay & practice mapping principles to real gov’t
No homework (Yom Kippur follows)
Impeachment as checks & balances
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
NO CLASS – Yom Kippur
No separate homework directions retained in this public reading edition.
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Categorize powers, discuss evolution
Federalism scavenger hunt
Read Ch. 3, pp. 97–122
Why choose federalism?
Friday, October 3, 2025
See the topic above; no additional public directions are included for this date.
No separate homework directions retained in this public reading edition.
How would Founders view modern federalism?
Monday, October 6, 2025
Connect cases to modern policy (COVID, disasters, etc.)
FRQ practice and peer review
No separate homework directions retained in this public reading edition.
Review FRQ with rubric
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
See the topic above; no additional public directions are included for this date.
No separate homework directions retained in this public reading edition.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Necessary & Proper Clause, impact on federal power
Parlay video, case analysis
Unit 1 review prep
How did this case expand federal authority?
Friday, October 10, 2025
Comparative analysis and timeline of Commerce Clause evolution
No separate homework directions retained in this public reading edition.
Which case most impacted federalism?
Monday, October 13, 2025
Unit 1 Review Day 1: Founding Documents
Jigsaw & gallery walk review
Practice MCQs Topics 1.1–1.5
Review notes & practice questions
Which founding doc is most relevant today?
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Unit 1 Review Day 2: Constitutional Principles & Federalism
Review separation of powers, federalism, and cases
FRQ timed practice with peer review
Final review, focus on weak areas
Rate your confidence
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Unit 1 Test (day 1)
MCQs + FRQ covering all Unit 1 topics
No homework
Friday, October 17, 2025
Unit 1 Test (day 2)
MCQs + FRQ covering all Unit 1 topics
No homework