Day 30

Learning Targets:

Students will be able to:

• Describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress.
• Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policy-making process.
• Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government.
• Explain how the president can implement a policy agenda.

*Note:  All responses should be typed in your new interactive notebook (Google doc).

Both assignments (posted Tuesday and Thursday) will be "collected" no later than Friday of each week, and graded by Monday.  This gives you some flexibility and Friday to complete both.  

Opener: Building a Budget: Who Deserves the Credit...or blame?

Arguably, no other process requires so much coordination, compromise, and debate between the executive and legislative branches as building the annual federal budget.  From government shutdowns to stimulus packages, the budget process is complex and typically very partisan.  Ultimately, both sides will either take credit or place the blame.

Make an argument for who deserves credit or blame for setting the annual federal budget.  The president or congress?  Make sure to explain your reasoning.

Activity One: Making a pie

Watch the videos and/or conduct a quick internet search to define these terms below and answer the follow-on question:

 

CBO:

OMB:

Fiscal Policy:

Deficit Spending:
National Debt:
Mandatory Spending:
Entitlements:
Discretionary Spending:
Appropriations:

How does the budget process illustrate the ideas of checks and balances, federalism, and the legislative process?  Provide a brief, but descriptive, explanation.

Activity #2: Putting it all together

Now using your claim from the opener and the information that you gathered in the previous activity, craft a mini-essay that responds to the following:

To what extent do presidents influence the overall economic health of the United States?

• Be sure to use the terms, examples, and concepts as evidence to support your claim.

Close: 

There is a practice question called "War Making Powers Quiz" in AP Classroom.  Please take your time and complete this FRQ.