Interactive Student Notebook Plan: AP U.S.
Government and Politics
Structure Overview
Each unit is designed using a two-page spread:
• Right Side (Even Pages): Instructional Content
• Left Side (Odd Pages): Student-Centered Output
Notebook Components
1. Table of Contents
o Pages 1–4 reserved
o Format: Date | Title | Page Number | Skill/Theme Focus
2. Unit Dividers (Units 1–5 + SCOTUS + Review)
o Unit Title Page with:
▪ Unit Name & Dates
▪ Essential Questions
▪ College Board Key Concepts Summary
▪ Map or Chart (for branches, ideologies, or political spectrum)
3. Daily Two-Page Spread Template
o Right Side (Even Page): Vocabulary, notes, primary source excerpts, diagrams,
SCOTUS opinions
o Left Side (Odd Page): Visual notes, summaries, political cartoons, reflections,
analysis
4. Skill-Building Inserts
o AP Argument Essay Structure (CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING)
o SCOTUS Case Summary Sheet
o Foundational Documents Comparison Matrix
o AP FRQ Rubrics and Command Terms
o Political Ideologies Spectrum Chart
5. Assessment Inserts
o Weekly Reflections
o Unit Progress Trackers
o FRQ Practice Pages
o Review Timelines
Unit Templates
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
• Title Page: Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Federalist Papers
• Essential Questions:
o What ideas influenced the American founding?
o How do federalism and separation of powers work?
• Right Page Content:
o Key Terms: Natural rights, social contract, federalism, checks and balances
o Foundational Document Excerpts: Declaration, Fed. 10, Brutus 1
o Diagram: Separation of Powers
• Left Page Activities:
o Illustrated concept maps (e.g., Locke vs. Hobbes)
o Quote analysis: “If men were angels…” (Fed. 51)
o Reflection prompt: Is federalism still relevant?
Templates:
• Foundational Documents Organizer
• Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Comparison
• Diagram: Separation of Powers vs. Checks and Balances
• Timeline: From Articles of Confederation to the Constitution
Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
• Essential Questions:
o How does each branch exercise and check power?
o What roles do bureaucracy and oversight play?
• Right Page Content:
o Vocabulary: veto, executive orders, judicial review, bureaucracy
o Case Study: Marbury v. Madison, U.S. v. Nixon
• Left Page Activities:
o SCOTUS Case Brief: Majority vs. Dissent
o Organizational Chart: Agencies in the Executive Branch
o Roleplay Exit Ticket: “You’re a Senator… how do you check the President?”
Templates:
• Branch Power Chart: Legislative, Executive, Judicial
• Bureaucracy Web Diagram
• SCOTUS Case Brief Template
• Political Cartoon Analysis (on gridlock or court packing)
Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
• Essential Questions:
o How does the Constitution protect individual rights?
o How have rights been expanded through court rulings?
• Right Page Content:
o Key Terms: due process, incorporation, civil rights, equal protection
o Primary Sources: Bill of Rights, Letter from Birmingham Jail
o Key Cases: Gideon v. Wainwright, Roe v. Wade, Brown v. Board
• Left Page Activities:
o Bill of Rights Illustration Activity
o SCOTUS Case Comparison Matrix (e.g., Tinker v. Des Moines vs. Schenck v.
U.S.)
o Journal Prompt: "When does free speech go too far?"
Templates:
• Rights Chart: Amendments + Landmark Cases
• Civil Rights Movement Timeline
• Argument Essay Practice Sheet
• Court Case HIPP Analysis Sheet
Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
• Essential Questions:
o What shapes political beliefs?
o How do ideologies influence policy preferences?
• Right Page Content:
o Vocabulary: political socialization, liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism
o Data: Polls on gun control, climate change, taxation
• Left Page Activities:
o Political Spectrum Placement
o Reflection: “What shaped my beliefs?”
o Cartoon: Interpreting ideological satire
Templates:
• Political Socialization Web
• Ideology and Policy Issue Comparison Table
• Political Spectrum Chart
• Poll Interpretation Worksheet
Unit 5: Political Participation
• Essential Questions:
o How do citizens influence policy?
o What roles do political parties, interest groups, and the media play?
• Right Page Content:
o Key Terms: PACs, realignment, gerrymandering, iron triangles
o Data: Voter turnout, campaign finance reports
• Left Page Activities:
o Campaign Ad Analysis
o Iron Triangle Sketch with Labels
o Reflection: “Why don’t more people vote?”
Templates:
• Voter Turnout Chart + Causes
• Interest Group vs. Political Party Matrix
• Media Bias Evaluation Chart
• Voting Behavior Data Analysis
Foundational Documents Section
Add a dedicated section (after Unit 5) for the 9 required documents:
• For each:
o Summary | Key Quotes | Context | Connection to Course Themes
• Example:
o Federalist 10: Factions are inevitable, large republic best prevents tyranny
Templates:
• Foundational Document Breakdown Sheet
• Document Comparison Chart (3-column: Purpose, Argument, Modern Example)
SCOTUS Cases Section
Add a case study page for each required SCOTUS case:
• Title | Year | Facts | Ruling | Precedent | Modern Relevance
Templates:
• SCOTUS Case Brief Template
• Case Pairing Comparison Sheet
• Legal Reasoning Venn Diagram
Final Review Section
• Course Themes Review Page
• FRQ Practice Pages (SAQ, Argument, Concept Application)
• Cram Timeline of U.S. Government Milestones
• Flashcard Sheets for Terms + Cases
Routine Weekly Expectations
Day Activity
Monday TOC update + new essential question
Tues–Thurs 2-page spread (notes + analysis)
Friday Weekly reflection, essay prep, or FRQ
Optional Add-ons
• Glossary in Back
• “Big Ideas” Page after each unit:
o 3-sentence summary
o 1 enduring question
o 1 link to a current event or historical precedent
