Primary Source Sophistry
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Nitro, West Virginia, United States
About the store
Drew Wendt serves as Department Chair of Social Studies and Coordinator of Community Service while teaching AP Government, 21st Century Civics, and the community service classes at Nitro High School. In addition to participating in drafting the Content Standards and Objectives for the 12th Grade in West Virginia, he designed numerous online civics units for the State Department of Education and four separate problem-based learning frameworks.
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Nation of Joiners Alexis de Tocqueville Primary Source Reading
Using an excerpt from deTocqueville's examination of American democracy, students will examine associations in America and consider how citizens in a democracy impact their lives and government by freely joining together.
12th
Civics, Government
Marbury v. Madison Packet
Using political cartoons, crossword puzzles, script writing, and various other activities this packet guides students in understanding the elements of the case and the implications of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison.
12th
Civics, Government
Analysis of Federalist #10 with additional synthesis questions
Investigate Federalist10 directly or with synthesis and evaluation with a choice of two approaches to the document.
The Federalist #10 Reading and Recall is written with more pointed and direct questions in case a lower reading level task is more appropriate. Federalist #10 Analysis Questions (Federalist #51 is included) are in-depth reading assignments that could be given as part of a running journal, long-term research assignment, divided up to complete and report out as a think-pair-share
12th
Civics, Government
Berlin Wall: Ties of America and Germany
Berlin has drawn every American president since Truman before or during their presidency- why? Why would this city of the world merit such a strong American interest?
Students will examine the Kennedy and Reagan speeches to evaluate Berlin's historical importance. Powerpoint has been provided to overview the impact of Germany on America. Perfect to launch a cultural exchange project.
12th
Civics, Government
The Rule of Law and the Nature of Charters of Government
Using a primary source reading from James Madison and the story of Connecticut's Charter Oak, students can examine the origin of liberty. After completion, students should grasp how liberties in American Government come from the citizens themselves and go not originate as gifts from the government.
12th
Civics, Government
Gerrymander Research
Internet based assignment that guides students in exploring gerrymandering concepts.
12th
Civics, Government
Adams and Madison on Government
Students examine Adam's Thoughts on Government and Madison's Spirit of Government to develop an understanding of the basic purpose of government.
12th
Civics, Government
Ex Post Facto Investigation
Students will read Blackstone's Commentaries and the notes on the Constitutional Convention to develop an understanding of why ex post facto laws would be expressly forbidden by the Constitution.
Allows students to explore why Bills of Attainder, Corruption of the Blood, and Ex Post Facto laws would be the only protections originally provided under the Constitution along with its requirement for Habeas Corpus.
12th
Civics, Government
Road to Ratification of the United States Constitution
Powerpoint provides a framework to discuss ratification of the United States Constitution and includes map to track each states' ratification as well as highlighting key Federalists and 'Antifederalists'
Slide highlighting Virginia and New York allows for Silent Debate and analysis of Federalist #10 activities.
*My Powerpoint has specialized fonts, so let me know if the text does not display properly.
12th
Civics, Government
Conscience or Constituency? The Role of a Representative
This primary source study allows students to compare the views of Edmund Burke and Brutus as regards to the role of a representative in a republic.
You can use this to guide reading with a few pointed questions, encouraged students to note each time the author talked about overarching questions, and ultimately find one sentence that best represented the author’s viewpoint. Through discussion, students can descend into the arena with the past and develop insight into the nature of representativ
12th
Civics, Elections - Voting, Government
Silent Debate between Patrick Henry and James Madison on the Constitution
Students should be instructed to get into pairs. Once done, one student in each pair needs to play the part of Patrick Henry and the other James Madison. Choose the roles in a manner appropriate for your classroom, and consider how to make the selection exciting. You can have students flip a coin (perhaps a James Madison presidential dollar?), have one student from each group raise his/her hand and have them play the role of the Federalist as they were advocating the plan of government, or eve
12th
Civics, Government
What unites America and Germany?
This PowerPoint provides a few examples of the impact Germany has had, and continues to have, on America.
12th
Civics, German, Government
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About the store
Experience
Drew Wendt serves as Department Chair of Social Studies and Coordinator of Community Service while teaching AP Government, 21st Century Civics, and the community service classes at Nitro High School. In addition to participating in drafting the Content Standards and Objectives for the 12th Grade in West Virginia, he designed numerous online civics units for the State Department of Education and four separate problem-based learning frameworks.
Teaching style
President Woodrow Wilson, when describing social studies instruction, gave us all the charge, “Your real and proper object, after all, is not to expound, but to realize it, consort with it, and make your spirit kin with it, so that you may never shake the sense of obligation off.” (1) By selecting some of the choicest conflicts found in contradictory primary sources, scaffolding student reading, and guiding our students with discussion we can reveal the principles and practices of American Government.
-(1) Woodrow Wilson, Princeton in the Nation's Service, The Papers of Woodrow Wilson October 21st, 1896
Awards & shining teacher moments
-James Madison Fellow
-Goethe Institute Fellow
-Karen Payne Award for Community Service 2006
-Gilder Lehrman Social Studies Teacher of the Year for West Virginia 2010
-Daughters of American Revolution Outstanding Teacher of American History 2013
My own education history
B.A. from the University of Charleston in social studies education with a minor in Leadership as a Welch Colleague
Nearly complete Masters in American History in Government from Ashland University as a James Madison Fellow
Additional biographical information
Hallmarks of my classroom instruction is the yearly mock trial where students become the lawyers, witnesses, and jury members all to win their case and a spot on the Wall of Fame. We are also working on a bill in the WV legislature.
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