Objective: Explain how the distribution of powers between the national and state governments impacts policymaking.
Starter: The citizens of what state have the lowest rate of health care insurance in the US?
1.How accurate was your prediction?
2.What most surprised you about this data?
3.What patterns do you notice in the chart/map?
4.Is this chart/map good news?
5.Why do you think some states have different rates of health insurance coverage than others?
6.What is a consequence of these different rates of health insurance?
7.What would the following people say about the data in the chart/map: Liberal/Conservative/Libertarian?
8.What are some consequences for states with very high levels of uninsured citizens?
9.What specific program that attempted to raise the rate of health insurance coverage in the US was rejected by most of the states that now have the highest rates of uninsured?
10.Why do you think these states rejected this program?
11.What is the connection between this data and political party affiliation?
12.What does any of this have to do with federalism?
13.If we lived in a country with a unitary form of government, how would this information most likely be different?
14.What was the overall direction of health insurance coverage during the 8 years between 2008-1016?
15.President Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to destroy Obamacare. Obamacare was mostly responsible for lowering the rates of uninsured people in America. Why do you think Trump wants to take a step that would likely cause a rise in the rate of the uninsured in America?
16.What do you predict the rate of health insurance coverage will look like after 4 (or 8) years of Trump?
17.Describe one policy that could immediately lower the rate of uninsured nationwide.
18.Describe one policy that could immediately raise the rate of uninsured nationwide.
19.Explain which of those two policies you would prefer.
Recap: Explain how the appropriate balance of power between national and state governments has been interpreted differently over time.
Review: Whip Around
- Everyone will have a concept and a definition.
- Listen for your concept, then read the definition and wait for the next person.
- If a mistake is made, we will restart with the first concept.
- The class with the best time will earn a bonus point for the last quiz.
Practice Questions
Mock Supreme Court
Arrange yourselves in groups of five and discuss the constitutionality of each issue presented, according to the Constitutional tests provided. Each member of the group should play one of the following roles in the discussions:
Digital copy here!
- Chief Justice: reads each issue to the group and calls on every member of the group to speak. No one speaks twice before everyone speaks once!
- Devil’s Advocate: will present the opposing view any time the group seems to be in agreement.
- Constitutional Test Advocate: will make certain that each student justifies their vote by using the Constitution or a Constitutional precedent or test (not just personal feelings).
- Secretary: will record each vote of the group and the reasons.
- Reporter: will check the Supreme Court vote online (after the discussion) and will let the group know. You need the numeric vote (6-3, e.g.) as well as a summary of the reasons. Everybody should take notes on this. www.oyez.org is an excellent resource.
Digital copy here!
Quiz Today!
Today we will take a Supreme Court case comparison free-response question. You will read about an unfamiliar case and be asked to compare and contrast it to one we have studied. It is scored out of 4 points.
Word of the Day
Devolution
- Define it.
- Use it in a sentence.
- Would a Democrat or Republican be more likely to favor a devolution of responsibilities?
Brainstorm some advantages and disadvantages of federalism. What are the ramifications of these advantages and disadvantages?
Closer: Explain how the distribution of powers between national and state governments impacts policymaking.
On Deck
Topic: Test Review
Finish your research on your topic for federalism--debate next class: Test Grade!
Journal Review due in 2 class periods (guidelines)
Test/Argument Essay in 2 class periods (study guide)
Work on 28th Amendment Project
Finish your research on your topic for federalism--debate next class: Test Grade!
Journal Review due in 2 class periods (guidelines)
Test/Argument Essay in 2 class periods (study guide)
Work on 28th Amendment Project