Annotated Teacher Bibliography/Resources
Bernstein, Vivian. American Government: Freedom, Rights, Responsibilities. Austin: Steck-Vaughn, 1997.
This book details the way our government came to be. It includes the branches of government and the jobs included in each branch. Election of leaders and citizen participation are also discussed. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution are included in full.
Blevins, Dave. American Political Parties in the 21st Century. Jefferson: McFarland and Company, Inc., 2006.
More than 180 political parties are described and cataloged in this book. The parties themselves provided most of the information through contact with their representatives and from their websites. Summaries of the parties histories and platforms are also included.
Bloom, Allan, trans. The Republic of Plato. 2nd ed. New York: Basic Books/Perseus,
1991.
Told in the form of dialogue among Plato and his colleagues, this ten-chapter discussion of how to live includes sections on determining the genuine from the imitation, the roles ofeach gender in a society, and the limits a government should exercise. Bloom's edition includes extensive notes, line numbers for easy reference, and his own interpretive essay.
Busch, Andrew E. and Ceaser, James W. Red Over Blue - The 2000 Elections and American Politics.
This insightful book offers an account of the 2000 election. They examine pre-primary preparations, and follow with post-election proposals for electoral reform.
de Tocqueville, Alexis. Democracy in America. New York: Perennial/Harper/Collins, 2000.
In the mid 1800s, Alexis de Tocqueville visited the United States in its democratic infancy. The perspective of this Frenchman's view of how our government worked in the early days provides a unique vantage point for the modern American reader.
Graetz, Michael J., and Ian Shapiro. Death by a Thousand Cuts. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006.
Utilizing the analogy of the torture called "death by a thousand cuts," Graetz and Shapiro clearly outline how the death tax in America bleeds citizens of their hard-earned wealth. Specific cases of individuals whose estates have been affected bring life to this account of the unfairness of this tax, what it does to people and their families, and how it came to be.
Guldin, Bob. Choosing the President 2008. Guilford: Globe Pequot Press, 2008.
This Citizen's Guide to the Electoral Process, sponsored by the League of
Women Voters, directs readers to the best political Web sites, suggests what to look for in media/news coverage, as well as at the conventions and debates. It also addresses the issues that are likely to impact the 2008 presidential election.
Hamilton, Alexander, and James Madison and John Jay. The Federalist Papers. New York: Penguin, 2003.
This is a compilation of all the numbers published by the authors anonymously in serial form beginning in 1787. With an introduction and notes by Charles R. Kesler and edited by Clinton Rossiter, this edition also includes the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Articles of Confederation.
Marsh, Carole. Sign on the Dotted Line: The U.S. Constitution. US: Gallopade International, 2005.
This book includes a timeline of events, from the Declaration of Independence
to the ratification of the Bill of Rights. It details the difficulties, compromises,
and debates that eventually resulted in our Constitution.
McNeese, Tim. The U.S. Constitution. Lisa Marty. Dayton: Milliken, 2001.
This book covers the methods and history of our American government, from its very inception. It includes the entire constitution as well as the amendments, including the most recent ones.
Mill, John Stuart. On Liberty. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1978.
Mill's five-chapter work expounds on the definitions and meanings of liberty, citing examples and posing hypothetical situations in which government intervention should be imposed.
Piddock, Charles. How Our Government Works. USA: Weekly Reader,
Literacy skills are taught in this volume, through its lessons on citizenship and readers are introduced to different concepts of government, the evolution of democracy in the U.S., the three branches of government, and the modern legislative process.
Polsby, Nelson W., and Aaron Wildavsky. Presidential Elections: Strategies of American Electoral Politics, fifth edition. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1980.
This book examines the strategies of presidential campaigns, and key decisions which have determined who actually made it to the Oval Office. It includes many first-hand accounts. There is strong emphasis on the importance of civic education.
Poor, Scott. The U.S. Government. Arizona: Remedia Publications, Inc., 200
This book gives a close-up look at the inner workings of the American government in action. It includes information on the Constitution, the judicial system, the legislatures, the elective process, and the military.
Smith, Robert. Spotlight on America: Elections - Vote. California: Teacher Created Resources, Inc, 2004
This book is from the Spotlight on America series. These books allow students to experience in-depth views of specific events or historical eras. The lessons reinforce nonfiction reading skills while connecting social studies to other areas of the curriculum.
Tamblyn, Catherine. Democracy in Action: Hold a Mock Election! USA: Weekly Reader, 2008.
This book is comprised of 8 learning centers that provide students with independent
learning activities to reinforce their understanding and knowledge of how the United
States government works. It includes the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the functions of the three branches of the government, state and local government responsibilities, the Electoral College, and presidential campaigns.
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