Fowler 8

American Government 101 w/Dr. Kev

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A tattered American flag flying on a wooden pole in a rural field with a barn.

Attention homeschool parents

Hey there, I’m Kevin. But you probably know me as Lydia’s husband or Jaslin, Sophia, Jeremiah, Benjamin, Elliot, and Gideon’s dad.

I’ve taught a lot of things (history, theology, computer applications, even GED classes in prisons), but U.S. government has always been my absolute favorite. This fall I’ll be teaching it to my four oldest children and I think there’s room for about 16 more.

Classes will take place on Friday afternoons beginning August 7th. Location is still being worked out but will be somewhere in Blount County.

Questions? Check out the FAQ’s below.

Sign up your high schooler here.

What we’ll learn

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

  • Explain the responsibilities of citizenship in a constitutional republic.
  • Analyze the philosophical and historical foundations of the U.S. Constitution.
  • Describe and evaluate the structure and powers of the three branches of government.
  • Apply constitutional principles such as federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances to contemporary issues.
  • Interpret and defend rights protected in the Bill of Rights.
  • Trace the development of constitutional amendments beyond the Bill of Rights.
  • Demonstrate civic literacy through written analysis, discussion, and a cumulative assessment.

To put it simply: You’ll know how our institutions work and be ready to actively participate in our democratic-republic.

How we’ll do it

This course will be designed using elements of the flipped learning model and challenge based learning. A typical week will work as follows:

  • The week’s assignments will be posted on Google Classroom by Monday morning.
  • Class materials will consist of readings from our textbooks, recorded lectures, YouTube videos, the U.S. constitution and other primary source documents.
  • Throughout the week, students will read materials, work on projects, and respond to reflection questions.
  • We’ll meet each Friday for a quiz and discuss what they learned throughout the week.

What we’ll cover

  • Unit 1: Responsibilities of citizenship
    • Week 1: The Citizenship surprise
    • Week 2: Rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens
  • Unit 2: Framing the U.S. Constitution
    • Week 3: Prelude to the Constitution
    • Week 4: The Constitutional Convention and the Federalist Papers
  • Unit 3: The Three Branches (Articles I-III)
    • Article I
      • Week 5: The House and Senate
      • Week 6: Congressional powers
    • Article II
      • Week 7: The Presidency
      • Week 8: Presidential powers
    • Article III
      • Week 9: The Judiciary
      • Week 10: Judicial powers
    • Separation of Powers
      • Week 11: Checks and Balances
  • Unit 4: From Paper to Power (Articles IV-VII)
    • Week 12: Federalism, Naturalization, Amendments, Ratification
  • Unit 5: The Bill of Rights
    • Week 13: Rights of the people
    • Week 14: Rights of the accused
  • Unit 6: Subsequent amendments
    • Week 15: Additional amendments, part 1
    • Week 16: Additional amendments, part 2
  • Unit 7: Review and reflection
    • Week 17: Catchup and Reflection
    • Week 18: Citizenship exam

Any high school-aged, homeschool student in in need of that half credit government to graduate.

Each student will need:

As this is our first run and we anticipate a few adjustments along the way, my wife and I would like to offer this semester as a gift.

I like to say that this class is 5% ideological, 20% historical, and 75% institutional.

But for that 5% when beliefs do come up, I’ve found students are better able to develop and express their political beliefs if I’m not proselytizing my own.

My former students never knew how I voted neither will my future students.

It is your job as the parent to instill values into your children. These values often shape political beliefs. I never want to rob you of that privilege. My job won’t be to make your child a Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian, but rather an informed citizen ready to participate in our democratic-republic.

Upon receiving my doctorate I always joked that the only people who would ever need to call me “Doctor” are my students and my mother-in-law. 🤣

About me

My name is Kevin. I’ve spent my entire professional career in education, but teaching U.S. government to high schoolers was my first love. I’m looking forward to returning to the classroom and sharing with a new generation the amazing country we live in.

Education

  • Berean Christian High School – Class of 2004
  • Maryville College – Class of 2008
    • Double majored in political science and education and doubled minored in history and Mario Kart
    • Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude
    • 2008 Student Teacher of the Year in Secondary Grades
  • University of Tennessee – Class of 2014
    • Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
  • Lamar University – Class of 2018
    • Doctorate in Global Education Leadership

Career

  • Maryville High School (2007-2008)
    • Taught U.S. Government to Seniors
    • Taught 20th century U.S. History to Sophomores
  • West Valley Middle School (2008-2010)
    • Taught Antebellum U.S. history to 8th graders
  • New Horizons Computer Learning Center (2010-2011)
    • Taught computer applications to corporations and government agencies
  • Walters State Community College (2011-2014)
    • Technology integrationist for four state campuses
    • Apple Distinguished Educator, Class of 2013
  • Apple Inc. (2014 – Present)
    • US Apple Professional Learning
    • Worldwide Education Customer Success Programs