1. SS.7.C.3.13

2. In this lesson, students will learn about the purposes of a constitution, the basic outline of both the U.S. and Florida constitutions, and the amendment process for both constitutions. Essential Questions How are the U.S. and Florida constitutions similar? How are they different? NGSSS Benchmark SS.7.C.3.13 Compare the constitutions of the United States and Florida. Learning Goals/Benchmark Clarifications Students will identify the purposes of a constitution (provides a framework for government, limits government authority, protects the rights of the people). Students will recognize the basic outline of the U.S. and Florida constitutions (both have articles, amendments, and preambles). Students will compare the amendment process of the U.S. and Florida constitutions. Students will recognize the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

3. What are these documents? How many of these documents exist in the United States?

4. Word/TermPart of Speech Definition abatement*nouna deduction or lessening of something abridge*verbto lessen or diminish amendmentnouna change to a constitution (e.g., U.S. Constitution, Florida Constitution) articlenouna numbered chapter or section of a contract, treaty, or constitution authoritynounthe power to direct the actions of people or to make decisions cession*nounthe act of giving something up constitutionnounthe basic principles and laws of a nation or state that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it; usually a written document Florida Declaration of Rights proper noun the part of the Florida Constitution that lists the basic rights guaranteed to all citizens who live in the state infringe*verbadvance beyond the usual limit, encroach jurisdiction*nounthe territory within which power can be exercised militia*nounthe entire body of physically fit civilians eligible by law for military service preamblenounthe introduction to a constitution; it states that the people establish the government, and it lists the purposes of the government prohibitverbto forbid or to not allow something revenue*nounmoney derived from income vested*adjectiveabsolute, fixed, unconditional

5. Take out your copy of the United States Constitution. Ask yourself the following questions… What is similar about the structure in both? Follow along in your Comparative Constitution Packet.

6. Put a box around the parts that are the same in both documents.

7. The U.S. Constitution gives rules for how the U.S. government should run and each of the 50 state constitutions give rules for how the state government should run. Compare each constitution in your packet and underline the parts that are different. Take 10 minutes to complete.

8. “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.” Summarize this excerpt. What evidence from the excerpt did you use to create this summary? What is important about this excerpt?

9. “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.” DID YOU GET IT? Remember the Supremacy Clause! The laws of each state cannot contradict those in the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land!

10. States constitutions contain many of the same rights as those guaranteed to you in the U.S. Constitution. State constitutions cannot give citizens fewer rights than the U.S. Constitution because it would violate the Supremacy Clause. However, they can give us additional rights. Examine how Florida’s Constitution and the U.S. Constitution have similar yet different rights. Underline the main difference in Florida’s Constitution and explain the difference by checking the statement that would fit in the blank. Turn in when you are finished for a classwork grade!

11. Let’s look at the following tutorial to review Federalism and see the process for amending both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions. http://www.floridastudents.org/BenchmarksList/PreviewStanda rd?benchmarkLists=3215&subjectAreaId=32&gradeLevelGrou pId=6&CourseID=13312#6|6|13312|3215 http://www.floridastudents.org/BenchmarksList/PreviewStanda rd?benchmarkLists=3215&subjectAreaId=32&gradeLevelGrou pId=6&CourseID=13312#6|6|13312|3215

12. Prompt 1 Compare and contrast the U. S. and Florida constitutions, using two elements of each document (e.g., how the government is organized, what rights citizens are guaranteed, how each can be amended, what powers each branch has, what the preambles say, etc.). Cite specific examples to support your statements. Prompt 2 The purpose of a constitution is to provide a framework for government, to limit government authority, and to protect the rights of the people. Using evidence from the “Comparative Constitutions” packet, find specific examples for each purpose and from each constitution. Summarize your findings in two paragraphs, one for each constitution. Prompt 3 Compare the processes for amending the U.S. and Florida constitutions by writing a well-crafted paragraph responding to the following prompt: Which method, when elected officials amend the constitution (U.S.) or when citizens amend the constitution (Florida), best serves the people? Use evidence from the lesson activities to explain your answer.