Everything you need to know about the constitution Well….at least for 7th grade!

The Articles Article 1: - Legislative Branch Article 2: Executive Branch Article 3 : Judicial Branch Article 4: Relations between states Article 5: Amendment Process Article 6: Constitution is “Supreme Law of the Land” Article 7: Ratification Process

Article 1: The Legislative Branch Primary function: Make Federal Laws Other Powers include Declare war Tax and borrow money Impeach the President Raise army Create post offices

Legislative Branch House of Reps Senate How many members? How many years in a term? Speaker of House chosen by majority party Who is the current speaker of the House? Senate How many senators? Who presides over Senate?

Article 2: The Executive Branch Primary Function: Enforce Federal Law President, Vice President, Cabinet and other departments Powers of President include Form public policy Establish foreign policy Pass executive orders Veto bills from Congress

Executive Branch How long is the President’s term? How many terms can he/she serve? How old does he/she have to be? What role does he/she have in the military?

Electoral College Who do Americans vote for on Presidential Election day? How is the # of electors determined for each state? In most cases, who receives ALL of the electoral votes? How can a candidate lose the popular vote, but win the election?

Article 3: Judicial Branch Primary Function: Review Federal Law This includes Power to Strike down federal law if unconstitutional Judicial System District courts = trial courts Courts of Appeals = intermediate courts Supreme Court = HIGHEST COURT IN US Chief Justice + 8 justices How long do justices on the Supreme Court serve?

Checks and Balances Legislative Branch checks Judicial Branch by confirming judges, impeaching judges Executive Branch by overriding a veto, impeaching President, confirming appointments, ratifying treaties

Checks and Balances Executive Branch Checks The Legislative Branch by Vetoing Bills passed by Congress The Judicial Branch by Nominating federal judges Enforcing court orders

Checks and Balances The Judicial Branch Checks The Legislative Branch by Declaring Laws Unconstitutional The Executive Branch by Declaring Presidential Acts Unconstitutional

Elastic Clause Congress can “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out specific duties. Allows Congress to STRETCH its powers to deal with changing needs of nation Example: Congress established a National Bank – not a specific power listed in Constitution – used Elastic Clause to justify

Citizenship Citizen – person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all the rights and protection US Citizenship Born in US or ONE of your parents is US citizen Naturalized – completed the legal process to become a citizen You were 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized

Citizenship Immigrant – someone who enters country with intent to settle there Resident Alien – a noncitizen living in a country Naturalization Establish 5 year residency Apply for citizenship Go through interview process including test and interview to establish “good moral character” Take Oath of Allegiance

Citizenship Civic Virtue – Willingness to work for good of country or community Responsibility of Citizenship Voting Obey Laws Defend Nation Serve on Jury Serve Community Be Informed