1. PowerPoint Presentation
The U.S. Constitution
PowerPoint Presentation

2. Pair-Share
What is a constitution?
Possible Answer: a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

3. Objective
Students will be able to understand the structure of the U.S. Constitution by writing a paragraph summary and playing a review game.

4. Film Clip: The Constitution
As you watch the video, write at least 3 interesting facts you learned about the Constitution. Be prepared to share with the class!

5. 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 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.

6. Pair-Share:
Explain 3 reasons that the people of the United States wrote the Constitution.
To set up a stronger government 1. 2. 3.
To ensure peace and justice among the people
To make sure that U.S. citizens will always be free

7. Summarize the Preamble in your own words.
Pair-Share:
Summarize the Preamble in your own words.
We, the citizens of the USA, are writing this constitution to accomplish several goals. Some of these goals are: create fairness; keep peace; and provide a system of defense. Accomplishing these goals will help form a stronger country.

8. State the main purpose of the Preamble.
(Remember, a Preamble is an introduction to something.)
The main purpose of the Preamble is to set forth the goals the Constitution will achieve.

10. Articles of the Constitution

11. Chart of the Three Branches of Government

12. Legislative
Congress
Makes Laws

13. House of Representatives (435 members)
1. 2 years Terms
2. 25 yrs. old/ 7 yrs. citizen
3. propose tax laws
4. can impeach the president.

14. Senate (100 members) 5. Senators serve a 6-year term
6. A senator must be 30 years old to be elected and have been a citizen for 9 years
7. Can approve presidential appointments
8. Ratifies treaties with foreign governments
9. Can try the president after impeachment

15. Both together
10. Can propose laws
11. Can declare war
12. Can override the president’s veto with a 2/3 vote
13. Can propose amendments to the Constitution with a 2/3 vote

16. Speaker of the House: John Boehner

17. California State Senators
Barbara Boxer Dianne Feinstein

18. President, Vice President, Cabinet
Executive
President, Vice President, Cabinet
Enforces Laws

19. President Barack Obama

20. Vice President Joe Biden

21. Secretary of State John Kerry

22. 14. The President serves a 4-year term.
15. The president must be at least 35 years old, a 14- year resident, and native born
16. Has power to approve or veto laws
17. Make treaties with foreign governments.
18. Nominates judges to the Supreme Court
19. Appoints cabinet members
20. Is Commander-in-Chief of U.S. military forces

23. Supreme and Federal Courts
Judicial
Supreme and Federal Courts
Interprets Laws

24. 21. Justices of the Supreme Court serve for life
22. Can declare laws unconstitutional
23. Can settle disputes involving the United States
24. Can settle disputes between states
25. Chief Justice presides over impeachment trial of the President.

25. Supreme Court Justice John G. Roberts

27. A Federal System of Government

28. Song: The Bill of Rights
As you listen to the song about the bill of rights, be ready to define and describe the specific rights listed in the Constitution.

30. Formative Assessment
Write a paragraph summary: PROMPT: What were the issues that led to the formation of the constitution and how were they resolved?

31. The End