1. The Preamble and Article I: Congress
Ms. Bolognini

2. 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."

3. Decoding the Preamble
Access the U.S. Constitution on your iPads and read the Preamble
Why do you think a preamble was included? Purpose?
What does it mean today? In pairs come up with modern day examples for the following: 1)establish justice, 2) ensure domestic tranquility, 3)provide for common defense, 4)promote the general welfare, 5)secure blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Use Ipads to research!

4. Decoding the Preamble!
1)establish justice= ensure citizenship and rights of the people
2) ensure domestic tranquility= keep peace within the country's borders
3)provide for common defense= military
4)promote the general welfare= government ensures well-being of its citizens
5)secure blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity= protect the people’s hard-earned rights for liberty, unjust laws, and freedom from a tyrannical government for future generation

5. Art. I, Sec. 1: Congress 1st article to stress importance
Branch that directly represents/responds to the people
Show video on YouTube-”Representative Government”
Take a few minutes to jot down your ideas!

6. Questions
Take a few minutes to work with a partner to answer the following questions:
How is direct democracy considered dangerous? How would a Republic better protect liberty?
Do you think it is better that we vote for people to best represent our interests?
Does the majority always rule under our Constitution?
Are we still considered a government “of the people, for the people, and by the people” even though we are not a direct democracy?
Do you believe democracy alone is not enough to protect people’s rights?

7. Two Houses of Congress Art. I, Sec. 3: Senate
Art. I, Sec. 2: House of Representatives
Art. I, Sec. 3: Senate
Elected every 6 years
Provide stability in this branch of government
Each state has 2 Senators
Becomes the jury for an impeachment trial (removal)
Elected every 2 years
Reflect concerns and feelings of the people
Representation depends on population (at least 1)
Power to impeach (bring charges)

8. Activity: Who are your Reps?
In pairs, choose one of your Senators or the rep in your district and answer the following questions by visiting their website
1)Name? 2)Party? 3)When elected? 4)Is he more likely than not to agree with the President’s policies, explain? 5)Choose 3 issues affecting the country and/or New Jersey and explain his stance on each. 6) Based on what you found out, explain in 1 paragraph why you would or would not vote this person next election.

9. NJ Senators Cory A. Booker- Democratic Party
Robert Menendez- Democratic Party

10. Art. I, Sec. 7: How a Bill becomes Law

12. How a Bill Becomes a Law Watch “Just a Bill”
Long process for a bill to become a law
This is the process in which an idea of Congress (“bill”) becomes a law
After it is passed, the Executive Branch ensures that it is carried out
If there any questions that arise about the meaning of the bill, the Judiciary Branch will resolve them when deciding a lawsuit

13. Art. I, Sec. 8: Powers of Congress
Taxation (pay for “common defense” and to ensure “general welfare”)
Credit
Interstate and international commerce
Naturalization
Patents and copyrights
Lower federal courts
Declare war
Maintain military
Elastic Clause

14. Art. I, Sec. 9: Powers Denied to Congress
CONGRESS MAY NOT
Suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus
Pass Bills of Attainder
Ex Post Facto Law
ACTIVITY
*In pairs, go to wiki and then to Law Dictionary link
*Find and write the definition for each of the 3 terms
*Write a hypothetical scenario for each of the 3