1. The United States Constitution
Essential Question: What are the fundamental principles of the U.S. Constitution?

2. Framers, not farmers We often hear of the framers of the Constitution.
“Framers” = those who framed or wrote the Constitution
“Farmers” = people who grow food

3. Structure of Constitution
It is divided into Articles, Sections, and Clauses (like an outline)
Starts with the 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 defence, 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.
We the (__1__) of the (__2__) (__3__) in Order to form a more perfect (__4__), establish (__5__), insure domestic (__6__), provide for the common (__7__), promote the general (__8__), and secure the Blessings of (__9__) to ourselves and our (__10__), do ordain and (__11__) this (__12__) for the (__13__) (__14__) of (__15__).

4. Structure Articles, Sections, Clauses. There are 7 Articles…
Article I = legislative branch (Congress)
Article II = executive branch (the president)
Article III = judicial branch (Supreme Court, and federal courts)
Article IV = the states
Article V = how to amend (change) the Constitution
Article VI = “supremacy” of the Constitution (it rules) and misc. stuff
Article VII = ratification procedure

5. Constitution “Scavenger Hunt”
Get a sheet of paper to turn in.
Find the scavenger hunt “items” listed at  “Constitutional Scavenger Hunt”

6. Key Terms of the Constitution
Due process – the set of procedures that an accused person is guaranteed
Habeas corpus – the right to go before a judge to hear your charges
Judicial review – the Supreme Court’s power to interpret laws and the Constitution
Checks and Balances – each branch can watch the other two…
…to avoid anyone from getting too much power

7. Key Terms (continued)
Enumerated powers – powers specifically listed (numbered) in the Constitution
Strict interpretation – saying the federal government can only do what is literally written down in the Constitution, nothing more.
Implied powers (AKA: the “elastic clause”, AKA: the “necessary and proper clause”) – powers NOT listed but are hinted at
Loose interpretation – saying the federal government can do more than what’s written. This is using the Elastic Clause to stretch federal power.

8. Amending the Constitution
There are a couple of ways, but usually…
Step 1 – 2/3 of Congress proposes the Amendment
Step 2 – 3/4 of the states ratify the Amendment
This is not easily done—that was the plan. The framers wanted a broad, general Constitution. Specifics were left up to the states.

9. Amendment Pictures Work with a partner.
Draw a table with 20 boxes (4 columns, 5 rows)
Draw a picture or symbol for the following Amendments:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
8, 9, 10
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 21
24, 25, 26