1. What is a Constitution?

2. constitution WORD WALL WORD! How would you define…
Have students offer their own definition of what a constitution is. Definition provided on the following slide.
WORD WALL WORD!

3. In general, a constitution is a document that organizes a government.
Rule Book
Think of a constitution as a rule book for government…
The following slide will elaborate on the definition as applied to the U.S. Constitution. Ask students if they know of anything else a constitution does (lists the rights of the people, says what government can and cannot do, etc)

4. The United States Constitution does the following:
Sets up the government
Defines power and limits of the government
Lays out some of the rights of the people
Ask students what “social contract” means (review of Locke PowerPoint) – the agreement between the people and the government: the people agree to live under and obey the government, the people give the power to make and enforce laws, and the government gives protection to the people in return.
The social contract created between the government and the people in the U.S. Constitution is what makes us a Constitutional Government.
Well, a Constitutional Democracy to be specific…

5. What is a constitutional government?
In a constitutional government, there are limits set on those who are responsible for running the government.
Those limits come from the constitution.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…
Here are some limits placed on those in our government:
A President of the United States of America…shall hold his office during a term of four years…
Ask students how each example from the Constitution provides a limit on the branch of government:
Legislative branch: It limits the power of the government so that the legislative branch cannot establish a religion for all to follow. This maintains the separation between church and state.
Executive branch: The term limit placed on the President requires elections to be held every four years so no president can remain in power beyond the consent of the people through voting (this was to avoid creating a situation like having a king where they hold power in the government for life).
Judicial branch: The Supreme Court may only hear cases that are outlined to be in their “original jurisdiction” (court of origin) or those that have gone through the appropriate courts. The Supreme Court cannot pick up any case they want to rule on.
How is this a limit on the Legislative branch?
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors…and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction…
Executive
Judicial

6. Constitutional Government Chart
The Constitution creates limits and guidelines for the government in order to protect the people from an abuse of power.
Constitution
The constitution is a social contract between We the People and the government.
The Constitution protects the rights of the people from the government.
In a constitutional government, it all starts with the people…
This slide will look at CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENTS
Distribute student handout “What is a Constitution?”
Students will complete their handout as the PowerPoint progresses. Remind students to check and see if they are on the correct section – Constitutional Government.
The first step in a “constitutional government” is the establishment of a social contract between the people and the government.
The result of that social contract is a constitution that will outline the limits and guidelines placed on government and the rights of the people to be protected from the government.
The people must consent to give the power to make and enforce laws to the government.
The government is structured to offer protection for the people through public safety measures and the justice system.
Government
The People
The People

7. Balancing Act It is essential to create a balance
of liberty and rights
with order and security.
This is the role of a constitution in a constitutional government.
Have students discuss what they think liberty and rights would be and what order and security would be.
Why is the balance of these things so important?
Liberty and Rights
Order and Security
Constitutional
Government

8. Is there a difference between a Constitutional Government and a government with a constitution?
Discuss responses.

9. Government with a constitution
Blah
Government
The government with unlimited or unchecked power is able to rule the people as they see fit. There are little to no measures in place to protect the rights of the people
Constitution
The government creates a constitution in such a way that the constitution does not provide limits. If it does provide limits, it may not provide a means of enforcing those limits.
This slide will look at GOVERNMENTS WITH A CONSTITUTION
Students will complete their handout as the PowerPoint progresses. Remind students to check and see if they are on the correct section – Government with a Constitution.
The constitution in this situation does not typically provide limits on those in power. If it does provide limits, there is often no means of enforcing those limits.
The government is able to rule as they see fit with little regard as to the rights of the people, as those are often not outlined in the constitution.
The People

10. What if there is no effective constitution to create a balance?
Order and Security
Liberty and Rights
If people have too much liberty and too many unrestricted rights…
…it could result in having less order and security among the people.
Discuss the visual to make sure students have a clear understanding of the need for balance between liberty & rights and order & security.
Government
If the government has no control over the people at all and no system for implementing control, what could happen?

11. If people sacrifice their liberty and rights to the government…
On the other hand…
Liberty and Rights
Order and Security
…it could lead to an excess of order and security, which could cause an abuse of power.
Discuss the visual to make sure students have a clear understanding of the need for balance between liberty & rights and order & security.
If people sacrifice their liberty and rights to the government…
Government
What are the implications of the people forfeiting their liberty and rights to the government?

12. Think back to the 5 natural rights your class believed every person should have.
These are the 5 rights the class compiled during the Locke PowerPoint. Review the 5 rights and why they were selected.
What were they?

13. Write down this statement:
I am willing to give up some of my natural rights in order to be more safe.
NOW…
Write down if you agree or disagree with this statement.
Write down 2-3 reasons why you agree or disagree with this statement.
Instruct students to take out a sheet of paper or a note card.
INDIVIDUALLY, students should write the statement, whether they agree or disagree with the statement, and the rationale behind their choice.
*Students must choose one side or the other.
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14. If you agree with the statement, go: If you disagree with the statement, go:
Instruct students to follow the directive on the PowerPoint: move to the appropriate side of the room.
Disagree
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15. Now…
Agree: Read your statements. If you are repeating an idea that was already said, only add new ideas. Disagree: LISTEN CAREFULLY to each argument!
Have students follow PowerPoint directives.
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16. DISAGREE
What argument from the “Agree’’ side did you think was the BEST?
This does not mean you agree with it, just that it was a good argument.
DO NOT make any arguments yet (you will get a turn). Just identify the best argument.
Be sure to monitor discussion so it does not turn into a debate where students are making negative comments about the arguments presented by the opposing side. All comments are to be positive comments.
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17. Now…
Disagree: Read your statements. If you are repeating an idea that was already said, only add new ideas. Agree: LISTEN CAREFULLY to each argument!
Have students follow PowerPoint directives.
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18. AGREE What argument from the “Agree’’ side did you think was the BEST?
This does not mean you agree with it, just that it was a good argument.
DO NOT make any arguments (you had your turn). Just identify the best argument.
Be sure to monitor discussion so it does not turn into a debate where students are making negative comments about the arguments presented by the opposing side. All comments are to be positive comments.
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