US Constitution & Federalism: Comparative Theory To be able to recall knowledge and understanding about the US Constitution and Federalism. To be able to recall knowledge about the UK Constitution. To be able to apply comparative theory to this topic. Outline: Key Words Starter Activity Competitive Activity Colour Code Activity Exemplar Answers to Comparative and Comparative Theory questions This lesson references material from the following textbooks: Edexcel GCE Politics AS and A-level Student Book (Edexcel GCE Politics 2017) – Pearson (Referred to as Pearson 1 on PowerPoint) The lesson requires pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks. This lesson is perfectly teachable without this resource.

How strong is the US Constitution? To use our knowledge to assess how strong the US Constitution is. To examine the limitations of the US Constitution. To consider the impact of the US Constitution on the US Government today. Lesson Outline: Key Words Link to video clip Discussion prompts Colour Code Activity Research Task Reading Activity Debate Challenge Tasks This lesson references material from the following textbooks: Edexcel GCE Politics AS and A-level Student Book (Edexcel GCE Politics 2017) – Pearson (Referred to as Pearson 1 on PowerPoint) Pearson Edexcel A level Politics (2019) - Jenkins, Tuck & Jefferies (Referred to as Pearson 2 in the PowerPoint) The lesson requires pages from these textbooks, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks. The lesson also refers to an Article from Politics Review Magazine from 2018.

To what extent is there democracy within the US Constitution? To be able to identify elements of democracy within the US Constitution. To be able to evaluate ways in which the Constitution upholds and undermines principles of democracy. Lesson Outline: Key Words Discussion starter Discussion prompts Card Sort Grid Research Task Conclusion Plenary Challenge Activities This lesson references material from the following textbooks: Edexcel GCE Politics AS and A-level Student Book (Edexcel GCE Politics 2017) – Pearson (Referred to as Pearson 1 on PowerPoint) US Government and Politics for A-level Fifth Edition – Anthony J Bennett (Editor Eric Magee) The lesson requires pages from these textbooks, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks.

To what extent is the relationship between the Federal and State governments in line with the thinking of the Founding Fathers? To identify the main characteristics of Federalism. To examine the relationship between Federal and State governments in recent years. To assess the extent to which there is federalism today. Outline: Key Words Discussion Prompts Case Studies Federalism & Trump - with examples Research task Colour Code Activity Plenary discussion This lesson references material from the following textbooks: US Government and Politics for A-level Fifth Edition – Anthony J Bennett (Editor Eric Magee) The lesson references pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks. Having a copy of this book is NOT essential to using this lesson. The homework activity references a Politics Review Magazine Article from September 2019.

To what extent does Federalism ‘assure constitutional rights’? To understand how Federalism is depicted in the US Constitution. To examine the differences between federal and state power. To examine how federalism has developed over time. Outline: Key Words Starter Activity Discussion prompts Link to video - not my resource Venn Diagram Activity Plenary Discussion This lesson references material from the following textbook: US Government and Politics for A-level Fifth Edition – Anthony J Bennett (Editor Eric Magee) The lesson requires pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks. The homework activity (reading & questions to answer) comes from this resource: US Government and Politics (Politics Study Guides) – William Storey (Purchasing this book is a worthy investment, especially to challenge your upper ability students)

What roles do Bipartisanship and Limited Government have in upholding the US Constitution? To understand the principles of Bipartisanship and Limited Government. To apply these principles to contemporary government. To assess how effective the US Constitution is today. Outline: Key Words Starter Activity Questioning Prompts Worksheet/Information Card Sort/Spectrum Debate Activity This lesson references material from the following textbooks: US Government and Politics for A-level Fifth Edition – Anthony J Bennett (Editor Eric Magee) The lesson requires pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks. The homework activity requires this resource: US Politics Annual Update 2019 – Anthony J Bennett

Key features of the US Constitution: Checks and Balances To be able to explain one of the key features of the US Constitution. To be able to assess the effectiveness of the system of checks and balances. Outline: Discussion Starter Teacher Talk/Information Sorting Activity Comprehension Task Research Task Summary Plenary This lesson references material from the following textbooks: US Government and Politics for A-level Fifth Edition – Anthony J Bennett (Editor Eric Magee) Pearson Edexcel A level Politics (2019) - Jenkins, Tuck & Jefferies (Referred to as Pearson 2 in the PowerPoint) Homework Task refers to: US Government & Politics Annual Update 2018 – Anthony J Bennett

The Constitutional framework of the US branches of government To understand the key features of the Constitutional framework of the US branches of government. Outline: Starter Activity Teacher Talk/Information Matching Articles of the Constitution Activity Diagram Activity Links to videos Summary plenary Links to Crash Course Politics videos - useful for the course, but not my own content.

The nature and origin of the US Constitution To understand how the US Constitution was formed. To understand the nature and vagueness of the US Constitution. To assess the implication of the nature and vagueness of the US Constitution on US Politics. Lesson Outline: Starter Activity Comprehension Activity Worksheet Sorting Activity This lesson references material from the following resources: US Government and Politics for A-level Fifth Edition – Anthony J Bennett (Editor Eric Magee) Edexcel GCE Politics AS and A-level Student Book (Edexcel GCE Politics 2017) – Pearson (Referred to as Pearson 1 on PowerPoint) US Government and Politics (Politics Study Guides) – William Storey

An Introduction to US Government & Politics To understand the requirements of the USA course. To understand the foundations of the US Constitution. Lesson Outline: Specification overview Key Words Comprehension Activity Link to video Homework Activity & Question sheet This lesson references material from the following resource: American Politics: A Beginner’s Guide - Jon Roper (The homework task refers to this resource)

Two Model Answers for this question: Evaluate the extent to which checks and balances ensure effective government in the USA. (30)

UK Constitution - Knowledge Test & Answers

How convincing is the case for a codified UK constitution? To be able to recall our knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages to codification. To be able to analyse the arguments for and against codification. To make a judgement about whether the UK should become a codified constitution. Outline: Starter Activity Case Study Analysis Textbook Reading Colour Code Activities Source Practice This lesson references material from the following resources: Pearson Edexcel A level Politics (2019) - Jenkins, Tuck & Jefferies (Referred to as Pearson 2 in the PowerPoint) Edexcel UK Government and Politics for AS/A Level Fifth Edition 2017 - Neil McNaughton UK Government & Politics Annual Update 2018 - Neil McNaughton Note: Source Practice Activity is taken from an external party.

To what extent has Devolution been a success? To assess the difference made by devolution on UK government. To examine whether devolution has met its aims. To reach a judgement about further devolution in the UK. Outline: Key Words Starter Activity Card Sort Comprehension Activity Conclusion Plenary This lesson references material from the following textbooks: UK Government and Politics for AS/A-level (Fifth Edition) - Editor Eric Magee UK Politics Annual Update 2020 - Nick Gallop

Has devolution achieved its aims of constitutional modernisation? To examine the powers of devolved bodies. To assess the advantages and disadvantages of devolution. To consider the extent to which further devolution could take place in England. Outline: Starter Activity Key Words Teacher Talk and Key Questions Card Sort & Worksheet Textbook Reading Conclusion plenary This lesson references material from the following textbooks: UK Government and Politics for AS/A-level (Fifth Edition) - Editor Eric Magee Pearson Edexcel A level Politics (2019) - Jenkins, Tuck & Jefferies (Referred to as Pearson 2 in the PowerPoint) The lesson requires pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks.

Constitutional Reform since 1997: what difference has it made? To be able to consider why constitutional reforms take place. To explain what reforms have taken place since 1997. To make synoptic links between constitutional reform and previous learning. Outline: Starter Activity Tutor2U Video Teacher Talk Research Task Information Poster Activity This lesson references material from the following textbooks: Edexcel UK Government and Politics for AS/A Level Fifth Edition 2017 - Neil McNaughton UK Government and Politics for AS/A-level (Fifth Edition) - Editor Eric Magee Edexcel GCE Politics AS and A-level Student Book and eBook: (Edexcel GCE Politics 2017) - Pearson The lesson requires pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks.

If the UK is uncodified, what are the main sources of its Constitution? To be able to identify the main sources of the UK Constitution. To be able to examine the twin pillars of the UK Constitution. Outline: Starter Activity Textbook Reading Card sort & Worksheet Independent Research Task True/False Plenary This lesson references material from the following textbooks: Edexcel GCE Politics AS and A-level Student Book and eBook: (Edexcel GCE Politics 2017) - Referred to as Pearson 1 in the PowerPoint. The lessons requires pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks.

What makes up the UK Constitution? To be able to confidently use key words like codified, entrenched and unitary. To be able to understand the nature of the UK Constitution. To be able to use examples to support the 5 main sources of the UK Constitution. Outline: Starter Teacher talk Reading & Research Task Tutor2U Video True/False plenary This lesson references material from the following textbooks: Edexcel UK Government and Politics for AS/A Level Fifth Edition 2017 - Neil McNaughton The lessons requires pages from this textbook, but similar information could be found elsewhere or in updated Politics textbooks.

What is a Constitution and how has it developed over time? To understand what is meant by the term Constitution. To examine how the Constitution has changed over time. Outline: Textbooks referred to on the course Overview of spec etc. Key Terms & Starter Pirate Activity - Tutor2U Marketplace Activity & Grid Plenary Questions This lesson references material from the following textbooks: Edexcel UK Government and Politics for AS/A Level Fifth Edition 2017 - Neil McNaughton UK Government and Politics for AS/A-level (Fifth Edition) - Editor Eric Magee This lesson can be taught without these textbooks.