Tom Boothe
GreenBank Elementary/Middle School
I teach WV Studies to two periods of eighth graders each day. When presenting my unit on the federal government, I will incorporate the information that I gained from the Canaan Valley FACDIS in the following manner.
Day 1
We will take an in-depth look at how our government’s philosophy towards the world has evolved over the last 200 + years.
Introduce the four schools of thought : Hamiltonianism, Wilsonianism, Jeffersonianism,
Jacksonianism
Assignment: Group Activity: In groups of four, choose one school of thought to research using available texts, the internet, and their government researchers.
Present to the class an oral presentation on their governmental philosophy.
Day 2: Computer lab research, text research on topics
Day 3: Presentations to class on their government philosophy
Summarize with class the four schools of thought
Day 4: Writing activity: Have class write and respond.
List and give reasons for your response to the following:
The 5 places in the US that you’d like to live
The 5 places in the US that you wouldn’t like to live
The 5 places in the world that you’d like to live
The 5 places in the world that you wouldn’t like to live
Discuss by having class give reasons to the above when called upon.
Day 5 : Discuss how our government changed our policies towards the outside world
since 9/11 and how our citizens view the Muslim world since then.
Assign: Class will write short essay (½ - ¾ page) on how they view the
Muslim world since 9/11
Day 6: Ask class: Who makes US foreign policy? Take responses from the class.
List them on board. Breakdown most to least given answer.
Use this example to discuss this topic: Who ultimately decided that we should
go to war with Iraq? Use govt branch powers to explain. Giving up of power to
President to invade Iraq.
Discuss and answer questions as we proceed.
Throughout the school year a class discussion on a current world affair can take up a great part of a class period. If a situation in world affairs arises then what a better time to discuss it than when it’s being covered by the media. I also use the Charleston Gazette one day a week (I have it delivered every Tuesday) to cover a current issue and for a classroom assignment.