AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS · MR. CUTLER · 2026–2027
Unit 1 activity pages
Open the activity listed on your Canvas assignment sheet. Work with your assigned partners and record written responses in your notebook. Follow Canvas for homework and due dates.
Exact reading boundaries and highlighted AP GoPo takeaways. Read the selections assigned in Canvas; the full papers are optional context.
SEPTEMBER 11 · TOPIC 1.1
Declaration of Independence
Democratic ideals, Enlightenment influences, and document excerpts.
SEPTEMBER 14 · TOPICS 1.2–1.3
Federalist No. 10 & Brutus No. 1: Team Challenge
Read paired passages, test the arguments, and earn team points.
SEPTEMBER 15 · TOPICS 1.2–1.3, 1.6
Factions, Democracy, and the Protection of Liberty
Build the comparison chart and review Federalist No. 51.
SEPTEMBER 17 · UNIT 4 PREVIEW
Adam Smith & James Madison
Compare self-interest and the public good in markets and government.
SEPTEMBER 18 · TOPIC 1.4
Articles of Confederation
Explain the powers, weaknesses, and pressure for constitutional change.
SEPTEMBER 22–24 · TOPICS 1.4–1.5
Constitutional Convention
Analyze competing interests, compromises, ratification, and amendment.
SEPTEMBER 25 · TOPIC 1.5; UNIT 3 PREVIEW
Would You Ratify?
Weigh the promise of a Bill of Rights against concerns about national power.
SEPTEMBER 28 · UNIT 3 PREVIEW
Who Protects a Right?
Eight decisions preview constitutional abolition, citizenship, due process, equal protection, and incorporation.
SEPTEMBER 29 · TOPIC 1.6; UNIT 2 PREVIEW
Who Checks the Court?
Connect Federalist No. 78, judicial independence, and Marbury.
OCTOBER 1 · LEPORE READING & ARTICLE V
Amend, Interpret, or Legislate?
Discuss brief Lepore excerpts, test amendment votes, and hold an interpretation hearing.
OCTOBER 1 & 5 · TOPICS 1.6–1.9
Who Has the Power?
Use a photo scavenger hunt to distinguish levels of government, then examine federal funding arrangements.
OCTOBER 2 · TOPIC 1.7
Federalist No. 39: National, Federal, or Both?
Classify constitutional features using Madison's definitions.
OCTOBER 8–9 · TOPIC 1.8
Where Does National Power End?
Compare McCulloch and Lopez, then prepare a brief moot court.
Practice points are for discussion and self-checking. They are not Canvas grades. These pages do not submit your work.