1. The Constitution of the United States
Today we will outline the sections of the US Constitution and analyze the Preamble using a chart and a poster.

2. The Preamble popular sovereignty We the people
In order to form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Ensure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
popular
sovereignty
Preamble Song

3. Article I – The Legislative Branch
Establishes Congress made up of two parts: House of Representatives determined by the population of each state for 2 year terms
and the Senate with 2 senators from each state for 6 year terms
(Great Compromise)
MAKE LAWS
Power to tax, declare war

4. Article II – The Executive Branch
Establishes presidency without a term limit
Each state elects presidential electors based on number of congressmen. The electors then elect the president
ENFORCE, CARRY OUT THE LAW
Power to negotiate treaties, create departments necessary to enforce laws, veto laws, appoint Supreme Court justices
Commander in Chief of Armed Services

5. Article III – The Judicial Branch
Established the Supreme Court
REVIEW LAWS (although not an original intention of framers)
Serve for life after being appointed by president and approved by Senate
Power to settle certain specific cases

6. Checks and Balances Can override veto with 2/3 vote of both houses
Can veto bill proposed by Congress
Can say law is unconstitutional after being passed
Decides how many justices are on Supreme Court
Chooses justices
Can rule presidential action unconstitutional
Page 35 of Adventure Tales – cloze and 3 Ring Circus Song from School house Rock

7. Article IV- The States (The Federal System)
Establish local governments
Conduct elections
Regulate state commerce
Establish and maintain schools
Make marriage and divorce laws
Provide for public safety
Raise and support a militia
Page 37 of Adventure Tales

8. Article V – Amendments Step One By Congress whenever two-thirds
of both Houses deem it necessary OR
BY A CONVENTION called by Congress on the application of two-thirds
of the state legislatures

9. Step Two
BY LEGISLATURES of three-fourths of the states OR
BY CONVENTIONS in three-fourths of the states (whichever mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress)

10. In more than two centuries, the Constitution of the United States has been amended only 27 times.

11. Article VI
The Supremacy Clause states that the Constitution is the highest law in the country.

12. Article VII
Delaware Dec. 7, 1787 unanimous
Pennsylvania Dec. 12, —23
New Jersey Dec. 18, 1787 unanimous
Georgia Jan 2, 1788 unanimous
Connecticut Jan. 9, —40
Massachusetts Feb —168
Maryland Apr. 26, —11
South Carolina May 23, —73
New Hampshire June 21, —47
Virginia June 25, —79
New York July 26, —27
North Carolina Nov. 21, —77
Rhode Island May 29, —32
9 of 13 states have to ratify the Constitution for it to become law

13. Arguments Against The Constitution
No protection for people
No Bill of Rights
Page 57 of Adventure Tales …Anti Federalist Writings

14. The Federalist Papers
Written mainly by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton anonymously brought the debate to public and sealed the deal!

15. The Constitution was written in 1787
And ratified in 1789
But it wasn’t easy…
Tune in Thursday to learn more

16. Today, let’s analyze the Preamble using a poster.
Each group is assigned a phrase.
Discuss the phrase in your group.
Decide what it means.
Write the phrase on your poster as a title.
Write a definition for the phrase.
Divide your poster in one large section, one small.
Create drawings or a collage that illustrate examples of the phrase in history and put in large section. Title section “Examples.”
Create drawings or a collage that illustrate nonexamples of the phrase and put in small section. Title section “Nonexamples.”
Write “for the United States of America” on your poster.
We the people of the United States…
In order to form a more perfect union…
Establish justice…
Ensure domestic tranquility…
Provide for the common defense…
Promote the general welfare…
Secure the blessings of liberty…
To ourselves and our posterity…
Do ordain this constitution…

17. Do ordain this Constitution…
examples
for the
United States
of America
Ordaining this Constitution means that the states give up their sovereignty and accept the rules in this document as the highest law in the nation.
nonexamples