Government (Period 4) Assignments

PLHS Senior Reflections – Class of 2023

1. Most important thing(s) you learned in the classroom.  Explain your choice.
2. Most important thing(s) you learned outside the classroom.  Explain your choice.
3. What is the most vivid memory you will take with you from PLHS?  Tell why you chose this memory.
4. Favorite teacher(s). Tell why.
5. Best teacher(s). Tell why.
6. Biggest accomplishment(s) in the classroom. Describe and tell why you chose.
7. Biggest accomplishment(s) outside the classroom. Describe and tell why you chose.
8. What are you proudest of? Why?
9. Do you have any regrets? Explain.
10. Do you think you will maintain connections to your friends and to the school/staff? Why/why not?
11. What advice would you give to an incoming freshman of the Class of 2027?

Letter to a Staff Member

1. Think of a staff member at PLHS who has had a strong impact on your success while at the school. It can be a teacher, a coach, an administrator, a counselor, someone in the office, a custodian, a security person or anyone else who has made a positive impact on you.
2. In your letter, tell them specifically what they have done to help you or to impact your life in a positive manner. It can be school related or simply something they taught you about life in general.  It can be something that they helped you with over a period of time or it can be a one time situation that they helped you with. 
3. Tell them how you will take their lesson(s) or the impact they made on you with you when you leave PLHS and how it will help you navigate life after graduation.
4. Tell this person what your plans are after you leave PLHS … work, school, military, etc. Be specific and let them know what your long term goals in life are.
5. Add anything you want to make this a more personalized letter. You can share a great memory you have with them or anything else that you feel like.  It is your letter.

I will deliver the letter to the person so that they get it before the end of the year and can speak to you about it if they want to.

Twelve Angry Men Discussion Questions

1. What “rights of the accused” are demonstrated in the film? Give specific examples.
2. How are juror responsibilities portrayed in the film? Do you believe jurors have ethical responsibilities as well as legal responsibilities when assigned to a case?  Explain your response.
3. What does the film show us about the power of one person who is committed to doing the “right thing?”
4. What does the film show us about the power of persuasion, the ability to look at multiple sides of an issue and the advantages of conducting reasoned debates?
5. What stood out most to you from the film?
6. Did your opinion or reactions change as you watched the film and the story developed?
7. Do you think the film accurately demonstrates the working of a jury or that it showed you anything you had not known or considered before you watched it?
8. Did your feelings about serving on a jury change as a result of watching the film?
9. In the Bill of Rights, we are told we have the right to a trial by a jury of our peers. How would you define a jury of your peers?  Do you think the defendant in the film had a true jury of his peers?  Do you think it is essential to be tried by true peers?
10. Does the jury have the responsibility or right to discuss things that weren’t presented in the trial or brought out in the testimony? In other words, should they be allowed or required to speculate about things that weren’t explicitly brought up in the court room?  Explain your answer.
11. Would you recommend this film to others? Why or why not?

The Presidents

What have you learned about the presidency that you didn’t know before?

Do you think the president has more or less power than he (or she) should have? (compared to the other branches of government)

What are the major qualifications for being president (according to the Constitution)?

What important characteristics or qualifications do YOU think a president should possess?

Do you think any qualifications should be changed?  Why or why not?

Of all the presidents you’ve learned about, who do you think has been the most important?  Explain.

Of all the presidents you’ve learned about, who is your most favorite?  Explain.

List all the presidents during your lifetime and describe how well they performed the job.

What do you think the biggest issues in the 2024 presidential race are?  Why do you say this?

How much influence do you think the president has or should have in 2023?  Can the president make a real difference in your life?

Write one paragraph to our next president expressing your hopes and dreams for the nation and how you think the president can help with those issues.

(OPTIONAL)  If you have selected a potential candidate for the 2024 election, tell who it is and why you think that person is best qualified to serve as President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the US military.