Carey LaManna’s AP Gov videos are a fantastic resource for helping students grasp key concepts, but ensuring that they retain the material and apply their knowledge effectively requires an intentional approach. Class Companion offers a way to do this, transforming passive viewing into an interactive learning experience that allows teachers to assess student understanding efficiently and strategically.
Quick Check for Understanding
One way to use Class Companion in conjunction with Carey’s videos is as a quick comprehension check.
After having students watch a Carey LaManna video—such as Federalist #10, Letter from Birmingham Jail, or Gideon v. Wainwright—teachers can use Class Companion’s "Generate Assignment with AI" feature to quickly create multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and short-answer questions (SAQs) to check for understanding of the video’s content.
Once students complete the assignment, they receive instant feedback, reinforcing key takeaways from the video. At the same time, teachers can use Class Companion’s insights feature to see who understood the material and who may need additional support.
This assignment can be given as homework or an in-class activity, either formative or summative, depending on the teacher’s preference.
Catch-Up Strategy for Teachers Who Fall Behind
For teachers who find themselves falling behind in their pacing, Class Companion provides an effective catch-up strategy. This approach calls on teachers to first identify topics that are easy to teach and learn independently, such as:
- The Right to Bear Arms (Topics 3.5, 3.6)
- Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable (Topics 2.14, 2.5)
- Challenges of the Articles of Confederation (Topic 1.4)
The teacher then assigns a Carey LaManna video covering the topic:
- The Right to Bear Arms
- Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable
- Challenges of the Articles of Confederation
Once students watch the assigned video, teachers can use Class Companion’s "Generate Assignment with AI" feature to create an assessment that provides students with AI-powered feedback, ensuring they grasp the key points without requiring additional class time. Teachers can then trust this learning opportunity to provide students with the knowledge they need to answer related test questions confidently.
Unit-Ending Review Tool
To review an entire unit, teachers first have students watch a Carey LaManna unit review video, such as Unit 5 Review.
Teachers can then use Class Companion’s "Generate Assignment with AI" feature to create a set of MCQs and SAQs relating to the content of the video. This method allows students to efficiently review major unit concepts while practicing exam-style questions that reinforce their understanding.
A Powerful Pairing for Active Learning
Pairing Carey LaManna’s AP Gov videos with Class Companion’s AI-powered assessment tools is an excellent way to ensure students engage with the content actively rather than passively. Instead of simply watching a video and moving on, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge, receive instant feedback, and deepen their understanding of key concepts. This active learning process not only helps students retain information more effectively but also prepares them to think critically and succeed on assessments.
By leveraging both high-quality video instruction and AI-driven comprehension checks, teachers can create a dynamic and interactive learning experience that ensures students don’t just watch and memorize—but truly learn.
Sample of MCQs and SAQs Generated by CC’s AI (to be inserted shortly)
Below are sample multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and short-answer questions (SAQs) generated by Class Companion’s AI for specific Carey LaManna AP Gov videos
Quick Check for Understanding
Video: Federalist No. 10
MCQs:
- What is the primary argument James Madison makes in Federalist No. 10?
A) A strong executive is necessary to control factions.
B) A large republic can control factions better than a small one.
C) Direct democracy is the best way to prevent tyranny.
D) The judiciary should have the most power to regulate factions.
Correct Answer: B - According to Federalist No. 10, the most dangerous threat to a republic is:
A) A weak national government.
B) Foreign intervention.
C) The rise of political factions.
D) A lack of checks and balances.
Correct Answer: C - Madison argues that the best way to control factions is by:
A) Outlawing them through national legislation.
B) Encouraging direct democracy.
C) Expanding the size of the republic.
D) Placing more power in the hands of state governments.
Correct Answer: C - Which of the following best describes a faction, according to Federalist No. 10?
A) Any organized political party.
B) A group of individuals united by a common passion adverse to the rights of others.
C) A coalition of state governments acting against federal authority.
D) A military alliance formed by citizens.
Correct Answer: B - How does Federalist No. 10 justify the structure of the U.S. Constitution?
A) It argues that a powerful executive branch is necessary to prevent conflict.
B) It states that a large republic will create so many factions that no one will dominate.
C) It supports a confederation where states retain all power.
D) It claims that factions will naturally disappear over time.
Correct Answer: B
SAQs:
- Prompt: Explain why Madison believed factions were inevitable in a democracy but could be controlled in a large republic.
- Prompt: Describe how Federalist No. 10 supports the idea of pluralism in American politics.
Catch-Up Strategy for Teachers Who Fall Behind
Video: Challenges of the Articles of Confederation
MCQs:
- What was one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A) The lack of an executive branch to enforce laws.
B) The presence of a national standing army.
C) The ability of Congress to tax states directly.
D) A strong national judiciary.
Correct Answer: A - Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had the power to:
A) Collect taxes from individuals.
B) Regulate interstate commerce.
C) Make treaties with foreign nations.
D) Enforce laws without state approval.
Correct Answer: C - What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger federal government?
A) The Boston Tea Party
B) The Whiskey Rebellion
C) Shay’s Rebellion
D) The War of 1812
Correct Answer: C - Why was it difficult for the national government under the Articles of Confederation to respond to domestic crises?
A) It had no national military to suppress uprisings.
B) It had too much centralized power.
C) It was controlled by a strong executive.
D) It had too many taxes on the states.
Correct Answer: A
- The Constitutional Convention was called in response to:
A) The success of the Articles of Confederation.
B) Disagreements over whether to include the Bill of Rights.
C) A growing demand for a weaker national government.
D) The realization that the Articles of Confederation were too weak.
Correct Answer: D
SAQs:
- Prompt: Explain how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the creation of a stronger federal government under the U.S. Constitution.
- Prompt: Describe one economic and one military problem the U.S. faced under the Articles of Confederation and how the Constitution addressed each issue.
Unit-Ending Review Tool
Video: Unit 5 Review (Political Participation)
MCQs:
- Which of the following is an example of political participation?
A) Watching the news on television.
B) Voting in a presidential election.
C) Ignoring political advertisements.
D) Declining to register to vote.
Correct Answer: B - What is a common reason why voter turnout is lower in the U.S. than in other democracies?
A) Voting is mandatory in the U.S.
B) The U.S. does not allow absentee ballots.
C) Elections are held on a workday rather than a holiday.
D) The Electoral College discourages voting.
Correct Answer: C - Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
A) 15th Amendment
B) 19th Amendment
C) 24th Amendment
D) 26th Amendment
Correct Answer: D - How do political parties encourage voter participation?
A) By restricting access to polling places.
B) By providing information and mobilizing voters.
C) By discouraging debate on policy issues.
D) By limiting the number of candidates on the ballot.
Correct Answer: B - What is a major factor influencing whether someone will vote?
A) Whether their state is geographically large.
B) Their level of political efficacy.
C) The number of political ads they see.
D) The party that controls Congress at the time.
Correct Answer: B
SAQs:
- Prompt: Explain how voter ID laws can impact political participation and discuss one argument for and one argument against such laws.
- Prompt: Describe how political efficacy influences voter turnout and provide one example of how political parties can increase voter participation.
