September 17thConstitution Day

Kelly SmithWalker Elementary School 2010

Can you Identify

this document?

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.

US Constitution

The US Constitution is the official document(a set of rules)

that is the basis of government and

law in the United States. It was written in 1787, and ratified in 1789.

Many amendments have been added.

Let’s Read About The Constitution

Let’s Identify the 3 Branches of the US Government

A B C BRAINSTORMING

Think about what you know about the Constitution Use words or phrases. Determine which letter of the alphabet your information starts with. Here is a model.

8

Constitution ABCWhat do you know about the Constitution?

Write a word or a phrase next to the letter it starts with.

A_____________________________B _____________________________Constitution ____________________D_____________________________E _____________________________F _____________________________G_____________________________H_____________________________I______________________________J______________________________K _____________________________L _____________________________M_____________________________

N ____________________________O ____________________________People________________________Q ____________________________R_____________________________S_____________________________T_____________________________United States of America _________V ____________________________W____________________________X_____________________________Y_____________________________Z_____________________________

Constitution ABCWhat do you know about the Constitution?

Write a word or a phrase next to the letter it starts with.

A_____________________________B _____________________________C _____________________________D_____________________________E _____________________________F _____________________________G_____________________________H_____________________________I______________________________J______________________________K _____________________________L _____________________________M_____________________________

N ____________________________O ____________________________P_____________________________Q ____________________________R_____________________________S_____________________________T_____________________________U ____________________________V ____________________________W____________________________X_____________________________Y_____________________________Z_____________________________

The Three Branches of Government

The Executive Branch

The Executive branch:• headed by the President of the US-Obama• elected term of four years • is the Commander in Chief

(the head of the US Armed Forces). The President can sign or veto bills passed by Congress,negotiate treaties, and appoint a cabinet.

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative branch has two sections:• the Senate • the House of Representatives Congressman and representatives write and pass laws.

SenateHouse of

Representatives

The Judicial BranchThe Judicial branch:• consists of judges• preside (rule) over the court system • interpret the US Constitution and laws

Time to Reflect1.What is the Constitution?

2.When was the Constitution Written?

3.Can you name the first 10 amendments?

4.Where was the Constitution Written?

Time to Reflect1.What is the Constitution?A set of rules 2. When was the Constitution Written? 17873.Can you name the first 10 amendments?The Bill of Rights 4. Where was the Constitution Written?Philadelphia