Nine Ways to Use AP US Government Videos in the Classroom

Part II of the AP Government Video Resource Series

This post is a follow-up to my April post on using AP Government videos for Enhancing Review. If you haven’t read it yet, click here to check it out. It includes a full list of short, engaging videos that help break down key AP US Government concepts. But collecting great video links is only half the battle. In this post, I’m sharing some of my top ways to use these AP US Government videos to boost engagement and deepen understanding. The content of the videos is important, but how you use these videos makes all the difference.

Need help teaching AP US Government? You’re in the right place! I have a wide range of fully prepped resources available on both my website and Teachers Pay Teachers store. Included in this is a full-year AP Government bundle designed to save you time and take the stress out of planning.

1. Bell Ringers or Exit Tickets

Start or end class with one of the AP US Government videos, and have students respond to a quick prompt. This is a great way to either introduce a new topic, or reinforce something that was taught in class that day. Some examples of prompts could include: 

• “What’s one thing that surprised you?”
  
• “How does this connect to what we learned yesterday?”
  
• “Summarize the video in a tweet (280 characters or less).”
  

These quick reflections help solidify content and build habits of analysis. You might even consider printing up these prompts and cutting several little slips to have on hand. These prompts are broad enough that they could be used for any of the AP Government videos. Sticky notes also make great intro or exit slips! 

2. Think-Pair-Share with a Twist

Play one of the AP US Government videos that corresponds with your current unit or topic (remember to check Part I for the full list of videos) and then have students: Think: Answer a question independently, Pair: Compare responses with a partner
Share: Share out with the class or post answers on the board.
This works especially well with the Supreme Court case videos or ideological debates, as students can reflect on their own personal views in regards to these topics. 

3. Add to Your Lecture Slides

Select a video from the AP US Government videos list to break up longer lecture segments. In my experience, this generally helps keep students more engaged. You could even include a quick 2–3 question Google Form or EdPuzzle afterward to check for understanding. 

*If you are short on time, you can always try to use an AI question generator program such as MagicSchool to create some “check for understanding” questions! 

4. FRQ Warm-Ups

Have students watch one of the videos, and then answer a related FRQ (Free Response Question) prompt. For example:

You could show your class the Federalist 10 video, and then ask them to write a FRQ to the following prompt: “Explain how factions are addressed in the Constitution.”
These types of responses are not only great for content, but also working on AP writing skills.

5. Use in Review Stations

 Before an exam or unit test, you could use these AP US Government videos as part of a rotating station activity. An ipad or other type of screen could be set up at each station along with a set task associated with that video. Students would then rotate through the videos completing the review activities as they go through each station. For example, students could complete a set of review questions or flashcards, A mini activity such as making a mini-timeline of an event or case. This keeps review fresh and active.

 6. Flipped Classroom Assignments

Use the Flipped Classroom approach by assigning a video for homework and use class time for a discussion, debates, or application activities. As part of the homework, students could be instructed to take notes, or complete a short worksheet in preparation for the next day’s activity. This would work especially well for comparing ideologies, any of the court case reviews, or foundational documents.

 7. Guided Notes or Video Graphic Organizers

Help students stay focused and engaged while watching AP US Government Videos by providing guided notes or graphic organizers. Provide a simple handout with key terms, questions, or a summary section to structure their learning. To mix things up, let students design their own note-taking templates or graphic organizers. This encourages active viewing and helps them retain complex information from the videos more effectively.

8. Socratic Seminar Prep

Select a thought-provoking AP US Government Video, something that touches on civil liberties, political ideologies, or controversial court cases would be a great choice. Then use your chosen video as a springboard for a Socratic seminar! After watching, have students pull meaningful quotes and develop open-ended questions to prepare for a discussion.

This not only deepens understanding, but gives all students, especially those who may struggle with tests or essays a chance to shine. It’s also a great formative assessment tool to gauge comprehension and critical thinking.

Tip: Provide a prep sheet or rubric so students know how to participate meaningfully and stay focused during the seminar.

 9. Let Students Choose

Offer a list of videos related to a specific AP US Government unit, and let students choose one to watch. You could then have them complete an assignment or task about their chosen video. Tasks could include: summarizing it for the class, creating a short Kahoot or quiz, or pairing it with a related current event. This works especially well if different groups all pick a different video, and can share back their information to the rest of the class.

Final Thoughts

These AP US Government videos are a fantastic tool on their own, but when paired with active, thoughtful strategies, they become even more powerful. Whether you’re using them to review, introduce, or reinforce, these videos can make AP US Government content more accessible.

If you’ve used these AP US Government videos with your class, how did you incorporate them? Let me know in the comments below!

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