1. Constitution

2. Preamble The introduction to the Constitution is called the Preamble. The introduction to the Constitution is called the Preamble. The Preamble begins with the phrase “We the people…” The Preamble begins with the phrase “We the people…” This means that the government is based on the consent of the people. This means that the government is based on the consent of the people.

3. Democracy or Republic There is no mention of "democracy" in the Constitution. In fact, the United States of America isn't a true democracy; it's a republic, which is how the framers intended it. There is no mention of "democracy" in the Constitution. In fact, the United States of America isn't a true democracy; it's a republic, which is how the framers intended it. In a pure democracy, the people make decisions directly. In a republic, the people make decisions indirectly, via representatives. The men at the Convention believed pure democracy to be a dangerous form of government In a pure democracy, the people make decisions directly. In a republic, the people make decisions indirectly, via representatives. The men at the Convention believed pure democracy to be a dangerous form of government

4. Amendment A change in the Constitution A change in the Constitution There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution. There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution. The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights. The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights.

5. The Branches of Government There are three branches of government: There are three branches of government: 1. The legislative - which makes the laws 1. The legislative - which makes the laws 2. The executive - which enforces the laws or make sure the laws are carried out 2. The executive - which enforces the laws or make sure the laws are carried out 3. The judicial - which interprets the laws or explains the laws and makes sure they are fair 3. The judicial - which interprets the laws or explains the laws and makes sure they are fair

6. Legislative Branch The legislative branch is called Congress and is made up of two Houses (parts): The House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is called Congress and is made up of two Houses (parts): The House of Representatives and the Senate.

7. The House of Representatives States with the largest populations have the most representatives in the House. States with the largest populations have the most representatives in the House. House members must be at least 25 years old or older to serve. House members must be at least 25 years old or older to serve. House members are elected to a two year term. House members are elected to a two year term. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives.

8. The Senate The Senate is the other part of the Congress The Senate is the other part of the Congress There are two senators for each state, which means of course there are 100 Senators. There are two senators for each state, which means of course there are 100 Senators. Senators must be at least 30 years old. Senators must be at least 30 years old. Senators are elected to a six year term. Senators are elected to a six year term.

9. The Executive Branch The executive branch is headed by the president. The executive branch is headed by the president. The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

10. The President The president is elected to a four year term, maximum of 10 years The president is elected to a four year term, maximum of 10 years The president can only serve two terms. The president can only serve two terms. The president must be a citizen by birth The president must be a citizen by birth The president must be at least 35 years old. The president must be at least 35 years old.

11. The Judicial Branch The Judicial Branch of the federal government is headed by the Supreme Court. The Judicial Branch of the federal government is headed by the Supreme Court. Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life. There are 9 Supreme Court justices, who are appointed for life.

12. Checks and Balances The framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch government from getting too powerful. The framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch government from getting too powerful. Example: Congress has the right to pass bills into law, but the president can veto them, which means the bill does not become a law. Example: Congress has the right to pass bills into law, but the president can veto them, which means the bill does not become a law.

13. More examples If the president vetoes a law, the Congress can override his veto by a 2/3 majority. If the president vetoes a law, the Congress can override his veto by a 2/3 majority. The Supreme Court can say that any law is unconstitutional. The law no longer exists. The Supreme Court can say that any law is unconstitutional. The law no longer exists.

14. Separation of Powers This system of separation of powers in American that is designed to protect ordinary people from politicians becoming too powerful. Each branch of government has its own specific responsibilities and the system of separation of powers should make sure that none of them expands its powers beyond the limits that the Constitution places on it. This system of separation of powers in American that is designed to protect ordinary people from politicians becoming too powerful. Each branch of government has its own specific responsibilities and the system of separation of powers should make sure that none of them expands its powers beyond the limits that the Constitution places on it.

15. However, This system has not worked out in the way that the Founding Fathers had in mind This system has not worked out in the way that the Founding Fathers had in mind

16. Legislature Branch The legislature was supposed to be the most important branch, which is why it is the subject of Article 1 of the Constitution The legislature was supposed to be the most important branch, which is why it is the subject of Article 1 of the Constitution

17. Executive Branch Most people would agree that the executive branch is more significant, which the Founding Fathers wanted to avoid Most people would agree that the executive branch is more significant, which the Founding Fathers wanted to avoid No one person to rule, tranny/king. That was the reason the colonies fought against Great Britain. No one person to rule, tranny/king. That was the reason the colonies fought against Great Britain.

18. Judicial Branch The Supreme Court, with the power of judicial review (which was not in the constitution), is far more powerful than it was originally intended The Supreme Court, with the power of judicial review (which was not in the constitution), is far more powerful than it was originally intended

19. Role Play Debate Stakeholders Stakeholders Legislative branch Legislative branch Executive branch Executive branch Judicial branch Judicial branch American people American people Resident aliens and illegal aliens Resident aliens and illegal aliens

20. Guidelines You will need to explain your position with facts and prior knowledge. No mudslinging! Everyone has an opinion or thought. You will need to explain your position with facts and prior knowledge. No mudslinging! Everyone has an opinion or thought. Your arguments must have purpose and well thought ideas and facts. Your arguments must have purpose and well thought ideas and facts. It must be reasonable and benefit majority of the population, not just a few/elite. It must be reasonable and benefit majority of the population, not just a few/elite.

21. Each stakeholder group will present his or her point of view. Each stakeholder group will present his or her point of view. Then each stakeholder group will ask questions to the group. Each individual stakeholder needs to participate in questions and answers. Then each stakeholder group will ask questions to the group. Each individual stakeholder needs to participate in questions and answers. Each person needs to wait until the person speaking completes their thought/statement. No Interrupting! Each person needs to wait until the person speaking completes their thought/statement. No Interrupting!

22. Questions Of the three branches of U.S. government, which one do you believe is the most powerful or should be the most powerful? Why? Provide factual ideas. Of the three branches of U.S. government, which one do you believe is the most powerful or should be the most powerful? Why? Provide factual ideas. Should there be a term limit on elected government officials? All government offices or certain offices? Why and Why not? Should there be a term limit on elected government officials? All government offices or certain offices? Why and Why not? Should the federal government have a limited or unlimited position/control? Provide current events to support your decision. Should the federal government have a limited or unlimited position/control? Provide current events to support your decision.

23. Federalism The power of government is also split between the states and the federal government. The power of government is also split between the states and the federal government. This is called Federalism. This is called Federalism. If the Constitution does not have a law, the states can do what they want. If the Constitution does not have a law, the states can do what they want. State law cannot contradict federal law. State law cannot contradict federal law.

24. Federalism The final constitutional protection of freedom is federalism. This was intended to make sure that the national government could never become as powerful as the central government in Britain that it had broken away from The final constitutional protection of freedom is federalism. This was intended to make sure that the national government could never become as powerful as the central government in Britain that it had broken away from

25. Sovereignty The Constitution gives sovereignty over some matters to the national government and sovereignty over other matters to the states. Originally, in an arrangement known as ‘dual federalism’, the national government only had responsibility for foreign affairs and interstate disputes, with all other matters ‘reserved’ to the states. (10 th Amendment) The Constitution gives sovereignty over some matters to the national government and sovereignty over other matters to the states. Originally, in an arrangement known as ‘dual federalism’, the national government only had responsibility for foreign affairs and interstate disputes, with all other matters ‘reserved’ to the states. (10 th Amendment)

26. Dual Sovereignty Dual Sovereignty means that whatever the federal government does not make a law about, the states can act however they choose. Dual Sovereignty means that whatever the federal government does not make a law about, the states can act however they choose. That is why there is different state laws regarding the age of drinking alcohol, driving, the death penalty, same sex marriages, and many more. That is why there is different state laws regarding the age of drinking alcohol, driving, the death penalty, same sex marriages, and many more.

27. Outdated Constitution? For better or worse, the United States still runs according to the trail-blazing, four-page document created in 1787. Some believe it should run exactly as that document says; others see the Constitution as more of a guiding framework. But very few think it should be thrown out altogether, and considering how long ago the document was drafted and the social and political changes that have come about since the 18th century, that's about as dramatic an endorsement of a government structure as one can hope for.

28. Bills of Rights The Bill of Rights is designed to make sure that even if one of the branches of government became too powerful or people in different branches worked together to increase their powers, there would be some rights that they would not be able to touch. It covers the most important freedoms such as free speech, the right to demonstrate, freedom of religion and, most importantly, the right of habeas corpus that makes it unconstitutional for the government to make people ‘disappear’ in ways that are seen in modern tyrannies such as Burma.

29. The Bill of Rights has proved an effective protection of freedom, as the Supreme Court has been able to use it to update what rights mean in today’s world, such as the right to an abortion, and put limits on the ability of the government to infringe those rights. However, some aspects of the Bill of Rights have become obsolete, such as the 3rd amendment that protects homeowners from having to provide shelter for soldiers.

30. What is your opinion? - Previews 1.What, to you, is the most important right for a citizen to have in a free country? What's the most important right for a student to have? 1.What, to you, is the most important right for a citizen to have in a free country? What's the most important right for a student to have? 2.How do we know what our rights are? Have we always had the same rights? 2.How do we know what our rights are? Have we always had the same rights? 3.Do you think all citizens should have the same rights? Why or why not? 3.Do you think all citizens should have the same rights? Why or why not? 4.Can your rights ever be limited? In what ways or for what reasons? 4.Can your rights ever be limited? In what ways or for what reasons? 5.Are there any rights that we don't necessarily have that you believe we should? Why? 5.Are there any rights that we don't necessarily have that you believe we should? Why?

31. http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching- resource/Bill-of-Rights-50007195/ http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching- resource/Bill-of-Rights-50007195/ http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching- resource/Bill-of-Rights-50007195/ http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching- resource/Bill-of-Rights-50007195/

32. After Video Questions 1.Where did the ideas for changes to the Constitution come from? What kinds of changes were being suggested? 1.Where did the ideas for changes to the Constitution come from? What kinds of changes were being suggested? 2.How did the Bill of Rights become part of the Constitution? Were all of the proposed changes accepted? How long did it take for them to be approved? 2.How did the Bill of Rights become part of the Constitution? Were all of the proposed changes accepted? How long did it take for them to be approved? 3.Which freedoms are protected by the Bill of Rights? Which ones do you use regularly or rarely? 3.Which freedoms are protected by the Bill of Rights? Which ones do you use regularly or rarely? 4.When did the Bill of Rights become a more central part of how the Constitution is interpreted? Why? 4.When did the Bill of Rights become a more central part of how the Constitution is interpreted? Why? 5.How do citizens-not the government-use the Bill of Rights to define their freedoms? 5.How do citizens-not the government-use the Bill of Rights to define their freedoms?

33. Role Play Debate 1927-1945 - Silent Generation or Traditionalists 1927-1945 - Silent Generation or Traditionalists 1946-1964 - Baby Boomers 1946-1964 - Baby Boomers 1965-1983 - Gen X or the Busters 1965-1983 - Gen X or the Busters 1984- 2002 - Gen Y or the Millennial 1984- 2002 - Gen Y or the Millennial 2003- Current Gen Z or the Digital Generation 2003- Current Gen Z or the Digital Generation

34. Guidelines You will need to explain your position with facts and prior knowledge. No mudslinging! Everyone has an opinion or thought. You will need to explain your position with facts and prior knowledge. No mudslinging! Everyone has an opinion or thought. Your arguments must have purpose and well thought ideas and facts. Your arguments must have purpose and well thought ideas and facts. It must be reasonable and benefit majority of the population, not just a few/elite. It must be reasonable and benefit majority of the population, not just a few/elite.

35. Each stakeholder group will present his or her point of view. Each stakeholder group will present his or her point of view. Then each stakeholder group will ask questions to the group. Each individual stakeholder needs to participate in questions and answers. Then each stakeholder group will ask questions to the group. Each individual stakeholder needs to participate in questions and answers. Each person needs to wait until the person speaking completes their thought/statement. No Interrupting! Each person needs to wait until the person speaking completes their thought/statement. No Interrupting!

36. Questions What is your opinion on the constitution, is it outdated?, should it be ran exactly as it is written?, should it be changed/ratified? What is your opinion on the constitution, is it outdated?, should it be ran exactly as it is written?, should it be changed/ratified? Should the Bill of Right be revised? Should the Bill of Right be revised? Is there any Bill of Right do you feel needs to be deleted? If so, which one? Why? Is there any Bill of Right do you feel needs to be deleted? If so, which one? Why? Should the states be able to exercise the 10 th Amendment more? Should the states be able to exercise the 10 th Amendment more?