The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution Targets I can explain how the United States Constitution is structured and what it entails. I can break down and describe the Preamble to the United States Constitution. I can explain different Core Democratic Values and how they are linked to the United States Constitution. I can describe each of the Articles to the United States Constitution and what they uphold. I can depict different amendments to the United States Constitution and understand why these changes were necessary.

The structure of the Constitution Preamble- or opening statement Begins with… “We the People…” Articles The main body is divided into seven sections. Together they establish the framework for America’s government. The Amendments Formal changes that have been made to the Constitution There have been 27 changes The principles of the Constitution have guided the US for more than 200 years. It is divided into 3 main parts Preamble – we the people – these words show that the authority of the government comes from its citizens It outlines six basic goals for the new government Articles- the first 3 describe the 3 branches of the national government- legislative, executive and judicial 4- deals with relations between states 5- provides a process to amend the Constitution 6- states that the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land” 7- sets up procedure to ratify the Constitution Amendments – some of these changes added new ideas, others have repealed or changed other parts of the Constitution 1st 10 are the Bill of Rights

The 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.

School House Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30OyU4O80i4

The Preamble of the United States Constitution To form a more perfect union all states should work together as a unified nation

The Preamble of the United States Constitution Establish Justice Require search warrants Outlaw segregation Voting rights for all Emancipation Proclamation **Court system (legal system) Everyone should be treated equally and fairly under the law

The Preamble of the United States Constitution Insure Domestic Tranquility (peace at home among citizens) prevent child abuse provide police patrols on the streets neighborhood watch fire department FEMA National Guard **Create a Peaceful Society The government has the responsibility to ensure peace and order at home KW Curfew-

The Preamble of the United States Constitution Provide for the Common Defense become a member of NATO Build military jets Enlist troops military equipment border control Department of Defense Homeland Security **Protect us from enemies NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization was signed on April 4, 1949. The NATO headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium,[3] and the organization constitutes a system of collective defense whereby its member states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party - NATO comprises 28 members: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Border controls – drugs, animals, people,

The Preamble of the United States Constitution Promote the General Welfare (common good) Provide Medicare for the elderly and disabled Enforce child labor laws (16-20 hours per week) Social Security Child support laws Minimum wage food stamps free and reduced lunch **Create conditions that benefit all people Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria. As of 2006, anyone enrolled in Medicare has the option to sign up for prescription drug coverage Social security- payroll deductions- contribute during employment- start drawing when 62 Minimum wage in MI- $7.40 (started 2009)

The Preamble of the United States Constitution Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity Ensure the right to religious beliefs Allow peaceful demonstrations Freedom of speech and press EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) National Park Service **Freedom for us and future generations