Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) discussed the differences between a Delegate to the House of Representative and members of the House of Representatives from states.
Bell Ringer: Significance of Presidents’ Day
Author and Presidential Historian Lindsay Chervinsky discussed the significance of Presidents’ Day, how Americans have remembered and memorialized departed presidents, and how Americans’ views of presidents have changed over time.
Bell Ringer: Free Market Economics
Samford University business professor Art Carden talked about Strangers with Candy, his book of essays on the benefits of free-market economics. In each of the clips he discusses the role of the free market in stimulating economic growth.
Bell Ringer: The Phillips Curve Today
Economist Ekaterina Peneva talks about the relationship between inflation and unemployment.
Bell Ringer: Milton Friedman on Inflation
A portion of the PBS series titled “Free to Choose” is highlighted in which Milton Friedman explained inflation.
Bell Ringer: 50th Anniversary of President Nixon’s Resignation
Biographer and historian John Farrell talked about his book, “Richard Nixon: The Life,” and the 50th anniversary of President Nixon’s resignation.
Bell Ringer: Origin and Impact of Title IX Legislation
President Nixon signed Title IX into law in June 1972, prohibiting sex discrimination in any education program receiving federal money—most notably sports. These clips provide background information on the legislation, discuss the role of former U.S. Commerce Secretary Barbara Franklin, and the impact that President Nixon’s administration had on equity for women.
Bell Ringer: Voter Turnout
Voter turnout, or the choice by voters whether or not to participate in a given election, is impacted by a variety of factors. These factors include voter demographics (personal characteristics), political efficacy (the sense that one’s vote is important and impactful), structural barriers (such as voter registration laws and voting procedures), and type of election (midterm versus presidential).
Bell Ringer: Federalism
The United States government is organized on the principle of federalism, the sharing of power between national and state/local authorities. There are three broad categories of powers: 1. Exclusive powers: held by only one level of government and includes both enumerated powers (expressly articulated in the United States Constitution) and implied powers (which are are not specifically enumerated in the Constitution but inferred from expressed powers, particularly the Necessary and Proper Clause, as affirmed in the landmark McCulloch v. Maryland decision). 2. Reserved powers: any powers not granted to the national government or forbidden to the states, as affirmed in the Tenth Amendment (“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”). 3. Concurrent powers: shared between both levels of government.
Lesson Plan: Book That Shaped America – “Common Sense”
In 1774, Englishman Thomas Paine arrived in America as the conflict between the colonies and Great Britain was reaching its peak. Up to that point, the colonies were said to have been considering negotiation rather than a separation from Britain. Moved in part by the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, Paine, a journalist, wrote a 47-page pamphlet, titled “Common Sense,” in which he made a passionate argument against the British monarchy and for full American independence. “Common Sense” was published in early 1776, sold several hundred thousand copies, and highly influenced the colonies in their decision to declare independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. In this lesson, students begin by responding to a reflective question that asks them to share their knowledge of the American Revolution and early colonies. From there, they will review what was occurring in the colonies in 1776, and learn about the drafting, contents, and publication of the pamphlet. Next, students will hear about the legacy of Thomas Paine and why he should be studied today. Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain their position on if “Common Sense” shaped America.