This kit is the perfect alternative to lectures or textbook reading. Students can listen and learn at their own pace, wherever!

Included in this 20-episode Guided Notes kit:

Teacher Overview

• Links to podcast episodes, Google Doc files, political cartoon database, lesson tips, extension ideas, and takeaways

5 Sets of Guided Notes kits for episodes covering the following topics are included:

Founding Documents

• Declaration of Independence
• Federalist & Antifederalists
• Bill of Rights
• Democratic Norms

Legislative Branch

• Legislative Branch Overview
• Differences between the House & Senate
• How a Bill Becomes Law
• Gerrymandering

Executive Branch

• Executive Branch Overview
• The President’s Approval Rating
• The Cabinet
• Dept. of Housing & Urban Development

Judicial Branch

• Judicial Branch Overview
• Federal Courts
• Getting to the Supreme Court
• Role of Judges

Elections & Voting

• Voting Rights
• How We Vote
• State & Local Elections
• Propositions 

Accompanying Activities & Supports

• Political Cartoon Analysis worksheet template & reference handout
• News Source Analysis worksheet template & reference handout
• Answer Keys of each of the 20 guided notes
• Google Docs files of all student materials

Note: the political cartoon and news article analysis sheets are templates to allow you to find the most recent source for your students year after year. Links are provided to great political cartoon databases.

This resource is 80 total PDF pages, plus Google files.

What grades is this intended for?
This was designed for high school, but should still work for upper middle school. 

What supports are included? How can I modify this?
Each guided notes sheet chunks episodes into manageable segments and skill sheet handouts are provided for the accompanying political cartoons and news articles analysis extension activities. 

Can I use this in a homeschooling setting?

Sure! Everything in this kit can easily be used in a solo or a small-group setting. 

Is this editable? What file types does this resource come in?

The main resource comes as a secured, non-editable PDF file intended to be printed.

Included are links to editable Google Doc files of student materials, to customize to your classroom needs and assign digitally if you choose. The skill sheet handouts are not editable. 

What standards does this address?

Several! Standards vary, but this resource supports these from various states:

• Identify how the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution shape American beliefs and principles
• Explain the importance of the purpose set forth in the Preamble to the US Constitution
• Analyze how the Federalist Papers explain principles of the American system of government
• Evaluate constitutional principles like limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights
• Analyze the structure and functions of the legislative branch, including the bicameral structure of Congress, the role of committees, and the procedures of enacting laws
• Analyze the structure and functions of the executive branch, including the constitutional powers of the president, the growth over time of presidential power, and the role of the Cabinet and executive departments
• Analyze the structure and functions of the judicial branch, including the federal court system, types of jurisdiction, and unique characteristics of the Supreme Court
• Describe the election process at the local, state, and national level
• Describe the voter registration and voting processes 
• Analyze various ways in which US citizens can exercise political particpation
• Explain how voting rights have expanding over time 

What are the terms of use for this resource?

This resource, including all ancillary files, may be used as needed for regular, non-commercial single-classroom use between a teacher and their students. 

This includes printing copies and sharing digital files with students through a secure platform, like Google Classroom or Canvas, email, or a classroom-only shared drive.

The using and sharing of any part of this resource in any manner outside the above-mentioned capacity is strictly prohibited. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to,

• posting files on the open internet or in a Facebook group
• emailing files to or sharing print copies with others (without purchasing additional licenses)
• uploading or storing files in a shared cloud drive accessible by anyone other than students
• including any part, or any derivative work, within any commercial endeavor like curriculum development, professional training, or for-profit teaching like Outschool, or selling this resource as your own in either print or digital formats

Doing so violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), copyright law, and these terms.

By downloading this resource from Let’s Cultivate Greatness, the original user has been granted one license for a single teacher (or number of teachers matching the number of licenses purchased) and their students at any one time. 

Let’s Cultivate Greatness retains the full copyright of this resource.

I used this resource as an introduction to the three branches of government in both my Civics and US Government classes. It was a great resource and especially helped my auditory learners dive into the foundations of Civics and Government. I highly suggest this product and anything from Erin!  – Shawn D.

I love the depth and the size of this product. So much information and resources. The students enjoy it and it saves me time from planning! – Tiffany S.

This bundle of resources really helped to prepare my son for his civics class. – fellow TPT seller