Journal:Journal: What document What document created our government before created our government before the Constitution? Why did we the Constitution? Why did we

change it?change it?

Remember: we write to make our thinking Remember: we write to make our thinking visible!visible!

Structure of the Structure of the ConstitutionConstitution

American History IAmerican History IUnit 2 Confederation, Constitution, and Unit 2 Confederation, Constitution, and

CompromiseCompromise

Section 1: the PreambleSection 1: the Preamble PreamblePreamble: statement of purpose of : statement of purpose of

the Constitutionthe Constitution ““We the People of the United States, We the People of the United States,

in Order to form a more perfect in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United this Constitution for the United States of America.”States of America.” Which part do you think is the most Which part do you think is the most

important? Why?important? Why? Which part do you not understand?Which part do you not understand?

6 Principles (Main Ideas)6 Principles (Main Ideas) Popular sovereigntyPopular sovereignty: the people have : the people have

the powerthe power Rule of lawRule of law: laws apply to everyone, : laws apply to everyone,

even members of the governmenteven members of the government Separation of powersSeparation of powers: dividing power : dividing power

of governmentof government Which enlightenment philosopher thought Which enlightenment philosopher thought

of this? of this?

Montesqueiu Montesqueiu

6 Principles (Main Ideas)6 Principles (Main Ideas) Checks & balancesChecks & balances: each branch is able : each branch is able

to check, or limit, the power of other to check, or limit, the power of other branchesbranches

FederalismFederalism: sharing power between the : sharing power between the national & state governmentsnational & state governments

Natural & Civil RightsNatural & Civil Rights: people have : people have certain rights that cannot be taken awaycertain rights that cannot be taken away Which enlightenment philosopher thought of Which enlightenment philosopher thought of

this?this? LockeLocke

Section 2: Articles Section 2: Articles Article I: outlines Article I: outlines

the the legislative legislative branchbranch

Members: Members: bicameral [2 bicameral [2 house] Congress: house] Congress: SenateSenate and and House House of of RepresentativesRepresentatives

Powers: to Powers: to make make lawslaws, collect taxes, , collect taxes, and declare war.and declare war.

The Capitol building where legislators debate and vote for bills

North Carolina MembersNorth Carolina Members Senator Kay Senator Kay

Hagan Hagan (democrat)(democrat)

****Senator Senator Richard Burr Richard Burr (republican)(republican)

****RepresentatRepresentative Brad Miller ive Brad Miller (democrat – (democrat – district 13)district 13)

**running for reelection this year – November 2010

Mrs. Jolley with Senator Kay Hagan

Article II: Article II: outlines the outlines the executive executive branchbranch

Powers: to Powers: to enforce lawsenforce laws, , sign or veto bills sign or veto bills from Congress, from Congress, and command and command the armythe army

The White House: President’s office and residence

Members of Executive Members of Executive BranchBranch

Vice President Joe Vice President Joe BidenBiden

President’s cabinet President’s cabinet (group of advisors) (group of advisors)

PresidentPresident Barack Barack Obama Obama

Articles III: outlines the Articles III: outlines the judicial branch judicial branch Members: Members: Supreme CourtSupreme Court & federal courts& federal courts Powers: to Powers: to interpret interpret the lawsthe laws,,apply themapply themfairly, and fairly, and protect your protect your rights rights

Supreme Court building in Washington, DC

Other ArticlesOther Articles Articles IV: explains the relationship Articles IV: explains the relationship

between the state and national between the state and national governmentgovernment

Article V: describes how to Article V: describes how to amend amend (change)(change) the Constitutionthe Constitution

Article VI: lists other federal powersArticle VI: lists other federal powers Article VII: explains the Article VII: explains the

ratification (approval)ratification (approval) process process

FederalismFederalism Supremacy clauseSupremacy clause: (included in Article VI), : (included in Article VI),

states that the Constitution is superior, and states that the Constitution is superior, and the national government cannot dishonor it. the national government cannot dishonor it.

Also makes Also makes the national the national (federal) (federal) governmengovernment superior t superior to the state to the state governmengovernmentt The Capitol building on Inauguration Day

2008

Section 3: The Bill of Section 3: The Bill of RightsRights The The first 10 Amendmentsfirst 10 Amendments are known as are known as

the Bill of Rights. the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence already The Declaration of Independence already

secured secured natural rightsnatural rights of life, liberty, of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.and pursuit of happiness. Who thought of these rights?Who thought of these rights?

The Bill of Rights secured The Bill of Rights secured civil rightscivil rights like like trial by jury, freedom of religion, and trial by jury, freedom of religion, and protection against cruel & unusual protection against cruel & unusual punishment.punishment. Where have we seen these rights before?Where have we seen these rights before?

Extension – Remediation Extension – Remediation Please choose 1 activity. If you understood the material Please choose 1 activity. If you understood the material

today, complete 1 extension activity. If you feel confused today, complete 1 extension activity. If you feel confused about the material, please choose 1 remediation activity.about the material, please choose 1 remediation activity.

EXTENSION (choose one): explain in 5-6 sentencesEXTENSION (choose one): explain in 5-6 sentences Should the state or national governments have more Should the state or national governments have more

power? Why?power? Why? What qualifications do you think a president should What qualifications do you think a president should

have that are not on the list? have that are not on the list? Should interpretation of the Constitution change over Should interpretation of the Constitution change over

time (with current events, new inventions (the time (with current events, new inventions (the Internet), etc)? Why or why not? Internet), etc)? Why or why not?

REMEDIATION (choose one): REMEDIATION (choose one): Choose one branch that confuses you. Read in the Choose one branch that confuses you. Read in the

coach book and write a 5-6 sentence summary of the coach book and write a 5-6 sentence summary of the branch.branch.

Legislative p47-48; Executive p49-50; Judicial p50-51Legislative p47-48; Executive p49-50; Judicial p50-51

Constitution ActivitiesConstitution Activities 1. Create a chart outlining the 3 branches of 1. Create a chart outlining the 3 branches of

government like the one below:government like the one below:

2. Using the list of the 10 Amendments, draw a 2. Using the list of the 10 Amendments, draw a picture that represents the rights given to you by picture that represents the rights given to you by each amendment.each amendment.

Executive Branch

Legislative Branch

Judicial Branch

Which article outlines this branch?Who are members of the branch?What 3 powers does the branch have?