1. Florida Constitution

2. What is the Florida Constitution?
The Constitution of the State of Florida is the document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of Florida, and establishes the basic law of the state. The current Constitution of Florida was ratified on November 5, 1968.

3. History of Florida Constitution
Florida has been governed by six different constitutions. Before 1838, only the Spanish Constitution of 1812 was briefly enacted in Florida.
Florida's first constitution as a U.S. territory was written and implemented in On March 3, 1845, Florida was granted admission into the union as the 27th state. The current Constitution of Florida was ratified on November 5, 1968, and modified by initiative and referendum several times since.

4. How does Florida’s constitution explain the structure, function, and purposes of state government?
Vocabulary
Article - a separate part of a document dealing with a single subject
Citizen - a person who is a legal member of a country, state, or community
Constitution - a written document that establishes the function and structure of a government
Right- something that citizens are entitled to

5. The Purpose of State Government
The Preamble
Directions: Follow along as I read the text of the Florida preamble aloud. As you follow along, underline any phrases that you think are important.
Let’s discuss what this means.
Provide students with the handout, Purpose of Florida’s Constitution.
Read the text of the Preamble aloud. (next slide)

6. PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF FLORIDA
We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Preamble to the Florida Constitution. Pass out Handout #1.
Using the phrase, “secure its benefits,” model for students how you think through your analysis. For example, what word does the pronoun “its” refer back to? Since “its” refers back to “constitutional liberty,” we want to secure the benefits of liberty that our constitution gives us. Paraphrase – “Another way to say this is that we want to protect our freedom.” Have students record, “protect our freedom” in the proper space on the handout.
Repeat the process as a whole group with a different phrase from the handout.

7. The Purpose of State Government
The Preamble
Directions:
With your partner, reread the original text of the Florida Preamble.
Paraphrase the remaining phrases on your handout.
Summarize the main idea in your own words.
Have student pairs complete the handout.
Students then respond in writing the prompt, “Why is it important for Florida to have a State Constitution??

8. The Structure and Function of Florida’s Constitution
The Florida Constitution is linked to the white box. Select it and do the following: Scroll through the constitution to show the structure of the document. Teacher Note: The Florida Constitution is organized into “articles” marked with a heading or main idea. Each article gives detailed information about that main idea, and is divided into “sections” that have subheadings with even more detail about specific ideas. Demonstrate this by looking at “Article I: Declaration of Rights” with the students. Show students how each “section” under Article I is about a different right or freedom, such as “Freedom of speech and press”.

9. Actual text of Article II, Section 3
The Structure and Function of Florida’s Government: Articles II, III, IV and V
Directions: Read the following passages from Articles II, III, IV and V of Florida’s Constitution to understand the structure and function of Florida’s state government. Read to explain the main idea of each passage. Highlight words or phrases that support the main idea.
Article II
Actual text of Article II, Section 3
Branches of government.—The powers of the state government shall be divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches.
What is the main idea of this text?
Let’s do the first one together!
Type a collective student response.
A possible response might be: There are three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

10. YOU do Articles III, IV and V TOGETHER!
Article III: The power to make laws in the state shall be given to a legislature of the State of Florida, consisting of a senate and a house of representatives.
Article IV: The executive power of the state government shall be given to a governor who is the commander-in-chief of the state’s military and is in charge of putting all laws into place.
Students complete the graphic organizer. Share responses and compare to sample responses in teacher resources.
Article V: The judicial power of the state government shall be given to a supreme court, district courts of appeal, circuit courts and county courts. The supreme court makes sure that laws follow the Florida Constitution.

11. The Structure and Function of Florida’s Government: Articles II, III, IV and V
Today we will look at some translated text from Articles II, III, IV and V to understand the structure and function of the three branches of government.
Pass out “The Structure and Function of Florida’s Government: Articles II, III, IV and V.

12. Discussion
What are some of the key roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the State government ?

13. How does Florida’s Constitution protect the rights of its citizens?

14. Reread the Preamble to Florida’s Constitution
Reread the Preamble to Florida’s Constitution. What does the preamble say about rights?
PREAMBLE
We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.

15. The Constitution is divided into segments called Articles.
Article I of the Florida Constitution is the Declaration of Rights. There are 27 Rights listed in the Florida constitution.
We are going to examine 7 of them!

16. Articles of the Florida Constitution
ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
ARTICLE II GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE III LEGISLATURE
ARTICLE IV EXECUTIVE
ARTICLE V JUDICIARY
ARTICLE VI SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
ARTICLE VII FINANCE AND TAXATION
ARTICLE VIII LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE IX EDUCATION
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE XII SCHEDULE

17. Article I: Declaration of Rights
SECTION 1.  Political power.
SECTION 2.  Basic rights.
SECTION 3.  Religious freedom.
SECTION 4.  Freedom of speech and press.
SECTION 5.  Right to assemble.
SECTION 6.  Right to work.
SECTION 7.  Military power.
SECTION 8.  Right to bear arms.
SECTION 9.  Due process.
SECTION 10. Prohibited laws.
SECTION 11. Imprisonment for debt.
SECTION 12. Searches and seizures.
SECTION 13. Habeas corpus.
SECTION 14. Pretrial release and detention.
SECTION 15. Prosecution for crime; offenses committed by children.
Article I of the Florida Constitution

18. Article I: Declaration of Rights
SECTION 16. Rights of accused and of victims.
SECTION 17. Excessive punishments.
SECTION 18. Administrative penalties.
SECTION 19. Costs.
SECTION 20. Treason.
SECTION 21. Access to courts.
SECTION 22. Trial by jury.
SECTION 23. Right of privacy.
SECTION 24. Access to public records and meetings.
SECTION 25. Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights.
SECTION 26. Claimant’s right to fair compensation.
SECTION 27. Marriage defined.

19. Rights of Florida Citizens!
Each group will be given one right established for citizens by the Florida constitution.
Read both sections: The article, and the “What does this mean?” section.
Create a graphic representation on your poster of the right provided to citizens by the Florida constitution and be prepared to share your poster and explain your right to the class!
Divide class into 7 groups. Pass out articles and explanations. Hand out

20. Responsibility!
As each group presents their Rights Poster, summarize the right on your note-taking organizer.

21. Sources