The Structure of the Constitution 9/25/14 Civics and Economics

Warm Up  Please make sure you have your projects in front of you on your desk.

In your groups…  Discuss these three things (someone take notes- this will be what I take up)  Your project and an interesting fact you learned about the American Revolution  Did you like the project (percentage)  How can Ms. Nall improve this project – I really would love your feedback! Please be honest!!!

Projects!  Anyone want to show their masterpieces off???

Warm-up 1) If you could make any one amendment to the US Constitution, what would it be? Explain. (For example, it could be about gun control, the legalization of marijuana, abortion, marriage, voting age, etc.) 2) What was a consequence of the French and Indian War for the colonists? 3) Which key Enlightenment figure advocated for the separation of powers?

Introductions  Today we will learn about the basic ideas that the Founders believed were important to include in the creation of the new U.S. government. These Founders wrote these principles into the U.S. Constitution.  What basic ideas or principals govern the actions of doctors, teachers, writers, etc.?

 The Founders, because of their studies, their experiences in their colonial governments, as well as their experiences during and after the American Revolution, had come to believe very strongly in creating a government that shared these major principles.

Side Note  We will talk about your exam on Unit 3 will be Friday October 3rd. If you were absent for Unit 2 exam, you will need to make it up by Thursday (10/2)afternoon. Please let me know when you are going to stay. If it is not completed by Thursday afternoon it will be a zero. Projects due Tomorrow!

Objectives Essential Standards  CE.C&G1.4: Analyze the principles and ideas underlying American democracy in terms of how they promote freedom

Basic Principles of the US Constitution  Popular Sovereignty  Limited Government  Separation of Powers  Checks and Balances  Federalism  Judicial Review

Popular Sovereignty  all political power resides with the people; people rule; the consent of the governed  Example “We the People….” – (Mayflower Compact)

Limited Government  Government must obey the law no government is all-powerful and may only do that which the people give it the power to do.  Examples Magna Carta “Congress shall make no law….” – 1st article

Checks and Balances Each branch of government is checked or restrained by the other two branches.  For example: The President can veto a law passed by Congress Congress can override that veto Congress can refuse the appointment of federal judges Supreme Court can find a law unconstitutional

Separation of Powers  SEPARATION OF POWERS: powers are distributed nationally to Congress, the President, and Supreme Court  Example: Articles 1-3 Powers of the branches

3 Branches of Government  LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: power to make laws Congress = Senate + House of Representatives (100, 2 per state)(435 based on pop.) Richard Burr Robert Pittenger(Con.Dist.#9) Kay Hagen Mel Watt (Con. Dist.#12) Richard Hudson(Con. Dist.#8)  EXECUTIVE BRANCH: power to enforce laws President – Barack Obama Vice President – Joe Biden  JUDICIAL BRANCH : power to interpret laws/Constitution Supreme Court – John Roberts, Chief Justice

Federalism  division of power among National and State governments.  Who Has the Power???  Example Federal (national) Gov’t State Gov’t Both *Coins money *Establishes *Collecttaxes *Declares war public schools *Define crimes/ * Conduct elections punishments

Federalism Types of Powers  Reserved powers= STATE POWERS  Delegated powers= FEDERAL/NATIONAL POWERS  Concurrent powers= BOTH STATE and FEDERAL Inherent: given to national government because it is a sovereign state (ex: regulate immigration) Expressed: WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION (Congress may declare war) Implied: given to national gov’t but not written in Constitution: (printing paper money)

Judicial Review  Description: The Supreme Courts ability to determines if laws or actions of government officials are in line with the constitution. (constitutionality)  Example: The Supreme Court reviews the laws created by Congress

Forced Associations - Illustrated  Tell the class that each group will then take a closer look at the principles and will visualize it in an Illustrated Metaphor.  Each group will read and discuss their principle.  Next you will brainstorm ideas on ways to draw their principle into an illustrated analogy or metaphor using symbols and labels.  Once they are ready, they may use the butcher paper to illustrate the principal in a way that will help explain it to others in their class.  Be sure to label each principle on their poster carefully.  At the bottom of each illustration write a statement about the similarities between the two.

Why???  The key to learning is making connections!!!

My Example – Democracy How is Democracy like an equilateral triangle? Democracy Equilateral Triangle In American Democracy, there are three branches of government that share and balance the distribution of governmental power. An equilateral triangle has three equal angles and three equal sides of the same length.

Closure  How does the system of checks and balances limit the power of government officials?  How is the idea of limited government promoted in the United States Constitution?  Should Congress be able to pass a law that is unpopular with citizens?