As we inch closer to another school year, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about one of my favorite resources for social studies teachers: my Government Semester Course. If you are teaching American Government or Civics, this course is designed to give you the structure, activities, and resources you need to make your semester easier and more engaging.

This Government Semester Course includes everything you need to teach a semester of American Government. It includes more than 500 editable activities. So whether you are new to teaching government, or simply looking for ways to refresh and improve your current course. This could be the resource that helps you head into the new school year feeling much more prepared.

One important note: These are not AP courses. This course is designed for a regular American Government and Civics course.

A Little More Time for You

This time of year can bring up a lot of different feelings for teachers. Maybe you are finally feeling rested after a long school year. Maybe you have enjoyed your summer so much that you are really dreading the return to reality. Or perhaps you have had some time to reflect and are thinking about what you want to do differently this year. Maybe reaching June and July without being completely out of gas? If you are a social studies teacher and can relate, this Government Semester Course could be a big step towards having a smoother year.

Think about how different the school year could feel if your materials were already planned, organized, and ready to go. What if you could save hours of planning time and put that energy toward other parts of your teaching? Or simply have more time for your life outside of school? Having your curriculum organized and ready to use, is a great way to make your school year feel more manageable. And improve your work-life balance!

And if you are still currently enjoying your summer, do your future self a favor and save this post to come back to when you are ready to start planning!

How Will This American Government Course Help Me?

One of my favorite things about this Government Semester Course is how organized everything is. Each unit is separated into folders so you can quickly find what you need without digging through a giant collection of files. Each unit also includes a pacing calendar and lesson plan guidance to help you map out your semester. 

The course is something I personally teach and update every year. So you will receive free updates as I make changes and improvements! I also frequently add new lessons to keep the course fresh and relevant. The PowerPoint slides are ready to use and include the videos. This means you don’t have to spend your planning time tracking down links and figuring out where they fit into the lesson. 

Finally, email support is also included. So if you have any questions along the way you can reach out to me directly.

This Government Semester Course has been teacher-created and classroom-tested by someone with 16 years of teaching experience. It is a complete course that is ready for you to teach!

What Is Included in the Government Semester Course?

This is a comprehensive course. Which means that you will find a wide variety of materials to help you teach your American Government and Civics curriculum. The course includes: student handouts, PowerPoint presentations, videos and documentaries, homework assignments, tests and assessments, and answer keys.

You will also find projects with rubrics, eight different government station lessons, a Civic Action Project, and current events assignments to help students connect government concepts to what is happening in the world around them.

The course also includes a final research paper and project, as well as debates . This give students opportunities to think critically, communicate their ideas, and engage with government concepts beyond traditional worksheets and assessments.

Everything is designed to work together as part of a complete Government Semester Course. The editable format also gives you the flexibility to make changes based on your students, schedule, and teaching style. The lessons are designed around 55-minute class periods, but they can easily be adapted to fit your schedule, whether your classes are shorter, longer, or on a block schedule.

Units Included: 

• Distance Learning Bundle
• Unit 1 Constitutional Foundations
• Unit 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors
• Unit 3 Executive Branch
• Unit 4 Legislative Branch
• Unit 5 Judicial Branch
• Unit 6 Final Research Paper and Project

*note: all of the above units can also be purchased individually!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an AP Government course?

No. This Government Semester Course is designed for a regular American Government or Civics course rather than an AP Government course. Although, some of the lessons and activities could be adapted for AP. However, if you teach AP Government, I have other resources specifically designed for that curriculum.

Are the resources editable?

Yes! All units in this course include editable materials. This way you can make changes and personalize lessons as needed. This allows you to adapt the content to your own curriculum and classroom.

How long does this Government Semester Course take?

The course is designed to provide materials for a semester-long American Government and Civics course. Because everything is editable and adaptable, you can adjust the pacing based on your school’s calendar, class schedule, and the needs of your students.

Do I need to use every resource?

Not at all! The goal of this Government Semester Course is to give you plenty of options. You can use the materials as a complete course or pull individual lessons, activities, projects, and assessments into a curriculum you already have.

Will the course be updated?

Yes! I teach this course myself and regularly make updates and additions. When you purchase the course, you will receive free updates as new lessons or improvements are added.

A Free Government Resource for You!

Before you commit to a full semester course, why not try one of my resources first?

Today I am sharing a FREE Political Parties Web Search!. It is a great low-prep activity that gives students an opportunity to explore political parties and current issues while practicing independent research skills.

Sign up here to receive the free resource directly in your inbox. When you join, you will also get access to other free social studies resources, teaching tips, and exclusive offers.

Make Your Next Semester a Little Easier

If you found yourself spending your summer trying to figure out how you are going to teach an entire semester of government, I hope this Government Semester Course can take some of that pressure off your shoulders!

Having your lessons, activities, projects, assessments, and pacing already organized can make a huge difference. Especially when you are trying to balance effective teaching with everything else that comes with the job. Instead of starting from scratch, you can begin the year with a strong foundation. If you are curious, I would love for you to take a closer look at what is included. You can explore the full course here.

And don’t forget to grab your FREE Political Parties Web Search. 

And remember, if you are still enjoying your summer, you don’t have to plan anything today! Save this post, come back to it when you are ready! And give your future teacher-self one less thing to worry about.