The Constitution Unit

Pre-test To see what you already know about the Constitution we will take a Pre-test. DO NOT WORRY This is not a part of your grade, it is just to see what you know

Preamble & Articles 1-3

EQ How does the constitution help separate the powers of the government and keep the powers of each branch of government in check and balanced?

7 Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty- a government in which the people rule (government by the people) Republicanism- people exercise their power by voting for people into office to represent them in Congress and create laws Federalism- the separation of powers between the state and national governments

Separation of Powers- the idea behind the decision to divide the government into 3 different branches Checks and Balances- this system gives each branch of government the ability to limit the actions of the other 2 branches of government Limited Government- no matter who you are, you must obey the law Individual Rights- these are protected by the Bill of Rights

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.

Form a more perfect Union- create a nation in which states work together Establish justice- make laws and set up courts Insure domestic tranquility- peace within the country

Provide for the common defense- protect the country from attack Promote the general welfare- contribute to the happiness and well being of all people Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity- make sure the future citizens remain free

Vocabulary- pages USE THE BOOK!!!!!! ElectorsFeloniesConvene EnumerationAppropriationMisdemeanors ImpeachmentMilitiaInferior courts Pro temporeBill of attainderAppellate IndictmentEx post facto lawImmunities QuorumTenderSuffrage RevenueNatural-born citizenRatification NaturalizationAffirmationUnanimous Consent TribunalsReprieves

Group Activity Break into 3 groups ( Legislative, Judicial, Executive) You will break into 3 smaller groups within that group As a group you will work on creating a poster that represents the powers and limits of the 3 branches of Government, as well as requirements for each branch of government. Within each group 1 group will cover the powers, 1 will cover the way they keep the other 2 branches of government in check, and 1 will cover requirements to be in each branch of government

Make sure that you have written down the powers and limits of each branch ( what they can and cannot do) You will be given a piece of poster paper, markers, colored pencils, and a ruler Draw a person that represents your branch of government

Questions Why would the founders of the Constitution separate the powers of government into 3 different groups? What does the term Checks and Balances mean? How does each branch of government keep the other two in check?

List 3 powers for each of the 3 branches of the government (Executive, Judicial, and Legislative) How does the Legislative branch keep the Judicial and Executive branches of government in check? How does the Judicial Branch balance the other 2 branches and how does the Executive Branch balance the other 2 branches of government?

Articles 4-7

EQs In what ways should the “United States” cooperate?(4) What does it take to change the Constitution?(5) What is the Supremacy Clause mean?

Using Articles 4-6 of the Constitution you will answer in groups 1 of the 3 essential questions for this activity. Write 3-4 statements from the article that answers the question. Once everyone is finished you will get come together and split into a jigsaw and fill in the information you do not have.

Ratification 9 of the 13 states needed to ratify the Constitution to establish it in the country. All members present were in unanimous consent of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

EQ In what ways do the first 10 amendments protect our most basic civil rights? Should they be written in the Constitution or do you feel that these rights are so basic that they do not need to be written down?

Vocabulary for the Amendments- pgs AbridgingEquity QuarteredServitude Due process of lawNaturalized Compulsory processInsurrection CounselBounties Common lawInoperative BailPrimary

Activity For this activity you will need a piece of paper, markers, colored pencils, and your creative process of your mind. On your piece of paper create 10 separate squares In each square you will draw a picture that represents amendments At the bottom of the picture you will create a 5-8 word phrase that helps you remember what rights are protected in each amendment

Discussion Are there any of the first 10 amendments that you feel should not be in the Bill of Rights? Why? Of the first 10 amendments which one is the most important to you? Why? Why do you think that the Founding Fathers thought these rights were necessary to have put in the Constitution?

Case Study for 1 st and 2 nd Amendments

EQ In the following case studies was the outcomes constitutional or did they violate the constitution? Should there have been a different ruling in the cases or if it is a current ruling what should happen?

1st Amendment Each table will have 2 case studies for the 1 st Amendment As a table you will read through the article together, discuss the article at your table, and then fill out the worksheet for the table As a table your answer should reflect the thoughts of the majority of the table Repeat for the 2 nd article

2 nd Amendment Each table will have 2 case studies for the 2 nd Amendment As a table you will read through the article together, discuss the article at your table, and then fill out the worksheet for the table As a table your answer should reflect the thoughts of the majority of the table Repeat for the 2 nd article

Reflection In your notes write a 1 page reflection on what you have learned from the case studies on the 1 st and 2 nd Amendments. As you write your reflection think your thoughts on whether or not your cases were constitutional or not, and if not why they were not constitutional. Why is interpretation of laws important?

Amendments 11-27

EQ Why did we add amendments to the constitution? Were they really needed?

Pictionary We will play a game of Pictionary boys against girls. Read through amendments Pages Write a short one line statement for each amendment in your notes As you read think about how you would draw each amendment and did the amendments really to be added to the Constitution.

Rules You cannot spell out the amendment or number of the amendment You cannot talk as the drawer If the group who is drawing gets their guess wrong the opposing group gets a guess. You will be given 2 minutes to draw and guess The winning group will get 5 extra credit points on the test

Writing Assignment On 1 page discuss which of 3 of the amendments (11-27) are the most important to you and why.

Creating and Passing a Bill

EQ Is the way we pass a bill the best possible way to pass a bill? Or is there a better way to create, and pass a bill to make it a law?

Activity Each table will represent committees in the House of Representatives As a committee you will create a bill that is well thought out and written out. You can create a bill about any topic but here are some suggestions; immigration, same sex marriage, driving laws, education laws, legalizing Marijuana, School lunches, gun restrictions/rights, food in class, cell phones in class, etc.

Your Committee Secretary- records all things discussed by the committee Committee Leader- someone to keep the group on track with the creation of the bill Committee Speaker- this person will present the bill to the HOR. Committee Members- everyone at the table is a member, and is expected to be actively engaged in discussing the bill and requirements of the bill Each member of your committee represents a state

Requirements Each person in the committee (table) has to present an idea for a bill As a committee vote and decide which idea you want to pursue and create Be very thorough in writing your bill YOU WILL HAVE 2 DAYS TO CREATE AND WRITE YOUR BILL

Things to Consider Consider all possible consequences of the law Who will enforce this law How much will it cost If it costs money where will the money come from What are the benefits of the law Are there any negative outcomes to the law

Present your Bill Mr. Dexter will be the Speaker of the House We need a secretary to take notes on the proceedings As the speaker for your committee you will be given 3-5 minutes to present you bill The speaker can use a 3x5 notecard for notes on their bill There will be a 5 minutes period for members of the HOR to come forward and give their opinions on the bill After that 5 minute period the house will vote on the bill

After the debates and discussion are done the Speaker of House will ask for a vote If there is a majority vote it passes and will move on to the Senate AT the senate we will take one person from each table to represent the Senate Notice the difference in size The senate will have 5 minutes to discuss the bill and vote on it. If it passes by a majority it will go to the President (Mr. Dexter) if it doesn’t pass it will go back to the HOR with the objections to the bill

If it passes both houses of Congress the President will go over each bill and either sign it, veto it, or even pocket veto the bill. What have we learned about the process of passing a bill?

EQ Is the way we pass a bill the best possible way to pass a bill? Or is there a better way to create, and pass a bill to make it a law?

Practice Civics Test

We will take a practice Civics test The purpose of the test is not to be graded but to show you what the test will be like if you have to take it to graduate DO NOT JUST GUESS!!! Take it seriously.