The Preamble and Article I: Congress Ms. Bolognini

Preamble "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Decoding the Preamble Access the U.S. Constitution on your iPads and read the Preamble Why do you think a preamble was included? Purpose? What does it mean today? In pairs come up with modern day examples for the following: 1)establish justice, 2) ensure domestic tranquility, 3)provide for common defense, 4)promote the general welfare, 5)secure blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Use Ipads to research!

Decoding the Preamble! 1)establish justice= ensure citizenship and rights of the people 2) ensure domestic tranquility= keep peace within the country's borders 3)provide for common defense= military 4)promote the general welfare= government ensures well-being of its citizens 5)secure blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity= protect the people’s hard-earned rights for liberty, unjust laws, and freedom from a tyrannical government for future generation

Art. I, Sec. 1: Congress 1st article to stress importance Branch that directly represents/responds to the people Show video on YouTube-”Representative Government” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVD0bZ5H4MY Take a few minutes to jot down your ideas!

Questions Take a few minutes to work with a partner to answer the following questions: How is direct democracy considered dangerous? How would a Republic better protect liberty? Do you think it is better that we vote for people to best represent our interests? Does the majority always rule under our Constitution? Are we still considered a government “of the people, for the people, and by the people” even though we are not a direct democracy? Do you believe democracy alone is not enough to protect people’s rights?

Two Houses of Congress Art. I, Sec. 3: Senate Art. I, Sec. 2: House of Representatives Art. I, Sec. 3: Senate Elected every 6 years Provide stability in this branch of government Each state has 2 Senators Becomes the jury for an impeachment trial (removal) Elected every 2 years Reflect concerns and feelings of the people Representation depends on population (at least 1) Power to impeach (bring charges)

Activity: Who are your Reps? In pairs, choose one of your Senators or the rep in your district and answer the following questions by visiting their website 1)Name? 2)Party? 3)When elected? 4)Is he more likely than not to agree with the President’s policies, explain? 5)Choose 3 issues affecting the country and/or New Jersey and explain his stance on each. 6) Based on what you found out, explain in 1 paragraph why you would or would not vote this person next election.

NJ Senators Cory A. Booker- Democratic Party Robert Menendez- Democratic Party

Art. I, Sec. 7: How a Bill becomes Law

How a Bill Becomes a Law Watch “Just a Bill” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0 Long process for a bill to become a law This is the process in which an idea of Congress (“bill”) becomes a law After it is passed, the Executive Branch ensures that it is carried out If there any questions that arise about the meaning of the bill, the Judiciary Branch will resolve them when deciding a lawsuit

Art. I, Sec. 8: Powers of Congress Taxation (pay for “common defense” and to ensure “general welfare”) Credit Interstate and international commerce Naturalization Patents and copyrights Lower federal courts Declare war Maintain military Elastic Clause

Art. I, Sec. 9: Powers Denied to Congress CONGRESS MAY NOT Suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus Pass Bills of Attainder Ex Post Facto Law ACTIVITY *In pairs, go to wiki and then to Law Dictionary link *Find and write the definition for each of the 3 terms *Write a hypothetical scenario for each of the 3