The Structure of the Constitution

9/25/14Civics and Economics

Warm Up Please make sure you have your projects

in front of you on your desk.

In your groups… Discuss these three things (someone take

notes- this will be what I take up)

Your project and an interesting fact you learned about the American Revolution

Did you like the project (percentage) How can Ms. Nall improve this project – I

really would love your feedback! Please be honest!!!

Projects! Anyone want to show their masterpieces

off???

Warm-up1) If you could make any one amendment to

the US Constitution, what would it be? Explain. (For example, it could be about gun control, the legalization of marijuana, abortion, marriage, voting age, etc.)

2) What was a consequence of the French and Indian War for the colonists?

3) Which key Enlightenment figure advocated for the separation of powers?

Introductions Today we will learn about the basic ideas that

the Founders believed were important to include in the creation of the new U.S. government. These Founders wrote these principles into the U.S. Constitution.

What basic ideas or principals govern the actions of doctors, teachers, writers, etc.?

The Founders, because of their studies, their experiences in their colonial governments, as well as their experiences during and after the American Revolution, had come to believe very strongly in creating a government that shared these major principles.

Side Note

We will talk about your exam on Unit 3 will be Friday October 3rd. If you were absent for Unit 2 exam, you will need to make it up by Thursday (10/2)afternoon. Please let me know when you are going to stay. If it is not completed by Thursday afternoon it will be a zero.

Projects due Tomorrow!

ObjectivesEssential Standards CE.C&G1.4: Analyze the principles and

ideas underlying American democracy in terms of how they promote freedom

Basic Principles of the US Constitution

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalism Judicial Review

Popular Sovereignty all political power resides with the

people; people rule; the consent of the governed

Example “We the People….” –

(Mayflower Compact)

Limited Government Government must obey the law no

government is all-powerful and may only do that which the people give it the power to do.

Examples Magna Carta “Congress shall make no law….” – 1st

article

Checks and BalancesEach branch of government is checked or

restrained by the other two branches. For example:

The President can veto a law passed by Congress Congress can override that veto Congress can refuse the appointment of federal

judges Supreme Court can find a law unconstitutional

Separation of Powers SEPARATION OF POWERS: powers are

distributed nationally to Congress, the President, and Supreme Court

Example: Articles 1-3 Powers of the branches

3 Branches of Government

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: power to make laws

Congress = Senate + House of Representatives

(100 , 2 per state) (435 based on pop.) Richard Burr Robert

Pittenger(Con.Dist.#9) Kay Hagen Mel Watt (Con. Dist.#12)

Richard Hudson(Con. Dist.#8)

EXECUTIVE BRANCH: power to enforce lawsPresident – Barack Obama Vice President – Joe Biden

JUDICIAL BRANCH : power to interpret laws/ConstitutionSupreme Court – John Roberts, Chief Justice

Federalism division of power among National and State

governments. Who Has the Power??? ExampleFederal (national) Gov’t State Gov’t Both *Coins money *Establishes

*Collecttaxes*Declares war public schools *Define

crimes/

*Conduct elections punishments

FederalismTypes of Powers Reserved powers= STATE POWERS Delegated powers= FEDERAL/NATIONAL

POWERS Concurrent powers= BOTH STATE and

FEDERAL Inherent: given to national government because it is a

sovereign state (ex: regulate immigration) Expressed: WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION (Congress

may declare war) Implied: given to national gov’t but not written in

Constitution: (printing paper money)

Judicial Review Description:

The Supreme Courts ability to determines if laws or actions of government officials are in line with the constitution. (constitutionality)

Example: The Supreme Court reviews the laws created by Congress

Forced Associations - Illustrated

Tell the class that each group will then take a closer look at the principles and will visualize it in an Illustrated Metaphor.

Each group will read and discuss their principle.

Next you will brainstorm ideas on ways to draw their principle into an illustrated analogy or metaphor using symbols and labels.

Once they are ready, they may use the butcher paper to illustrate the principal in a way that will help explain it to others in their class.

Be sure to label each principle on their poster carefully.

At the bottom of each illustration write a statement about the similarities between the two.

Why??? The key to learning is making

connections!!!

My Example – DemocracyHow is Democracy like an

equilateral triangle?

Democracy Equilateral Triangle

In American Democracy, there are three branches of government that share and

balance the distribution of governmental power. An equilateral triangle has three equal

angles and three equal sides of the same length.

Closure How does the system of checks and

balances limit the power of government officials?

How is the idea of limited government promoted in the United States Constitution?

Should Congress be able to pass a law that is unpopular with citizens?