MIX AND MATCH- OF THE CONSTITUTION Learning Objective: The student will A. Identify examples of the Seven Principles of the U.S. Constitution TEKS: 8.15 D; GOVT. 7 D Materials Needed: 1 set of the cards (principle, example, definition) cut apart Teaching Strategy: 1. Run a copy of the cards and cut them apart. It will be beneficial if the principles are printed on one color, the definitions on one color, and the examples on a third color. There are seven principle and definition cards. Each principle has three example cards. 2. Post the 7 principle cards around the room. 3. Divide the class into group of four and give them one of the definition cards. As a group they are to decide which principle the definition fits and post it by the principle. 4. Next, pass out the example cards to the students. There are 21 cards (three examples per principle), so if the class is larger than 21, pair the students up. When the student thinks they have matched the example with the correct principle and definition, they are to post it beside the two cards. (NOTE: Some of the examples appear to go with more than one principle. Tell the students that they should look for the BEST match, without reading into the example. Let the students defend their reasoning if it is different than the organization given in the key at the end of the activity. 5. After all seven principles are correctly matched; each group should explain their principle, definition, and example to the class. At this time, an extension might be for the class to brainstorm other examples of the principle besides the ones used by the class. GT/AP Extension: Have students create a collage of pictures illustrating the seven principles of the Constitution in action. Example Card Key: Limited Government: 1, 20, 21 Individual Rights 2, 4, 19 Republicanism 3, 5, 18 Federalism 7, 14, 16 Checks and Balances 8, 10, 13 Separation of Powers 9, 11, 12 Popular Sovereignty 6, 15, 17 All rights reserved. Permission is granted for these materials to be reproduced for classroom use only. No part of these materials may be reproduced in any other form or for any other purpose without the written consent of Law Related Education, State Bar of Texas. For additional information on the LRE Program, Please go to www.texaslre.org
TRANSPARENCY Example Card Key Limited Government: 1, 20, 21 Individual Rights: 2, 4, 19 Republicanism: 3, 5, 18 Federalism: 7, 14, 16 Checks and Balances: 8, 10, 13 Separation of Powers: 9, 11, 12 Popular Sovereignty: 6, 15, 17
Limited Government Separation of Power
Republicanism Checks and Balances
Federalism Popular Sovereignty
Individual Rights
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE The Constitution prohibits a religious test for any public official. A person cannot be held in jail indefinitely without being informed of the charges. 1
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLE The members of the House are elected based on the states population. Personal and political rights such as free speech, press, religion, and the right of privacy 3
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 6 EXAMPLE The President and Vice- President are indirectly elected by the Electoral College. Amendments 15, 19, & 26 extend the right to vote to ex-slaves, women & 18 year olds. 5
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 8 EXAMPLE All levels of government can tax its citizens to provide services. The judicial branch can interpret treaties and declare laws of Congress or actions of the President unconstitutional. 7
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 10 EXAMPLE EXAMPLE The legislative branch consists of the House and the Senate with the function to make the laws. The Legislative Branch can Override presidential vetoes with 2/3 vote (House and Senate) Approve presidential appointments and treaties (Senate only) Impeach president for misconduct (House only) 9
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 12 EXAMPLE The Supreme Court interprets or explains the law. The President and Vice- President carry out the laws. 11
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 14 EXAMPLE The President can Veto laws Propose a law and the budget Appoint judges Grant pardons The Constitution reserves powers to the state to hold national elections and establish their own public education system. 13
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 16 EXAMPLE The Preamble of the Constitution begins with We The People to illustrate the ultimate authority. The national government is the only government that declares war, coins money and regulates interstate and foreign trade. 15
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 18 EXAMPLE 17 th Amendment provides for direct election of the Senators by the people. Elections for national office are held on a schedule set by the Constitution. 17
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE 20 EXAMPLE Rights of a person accused of a crime such as trial by jury, right to counsel, due process and no cruel and unusual punishment The President is restricted to no more than ten years in office. 19
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE The Constitution is written with clearly defined powers and also clearly defined restrictions. 21
Ultimate power and final authority rest with the people or all the citizens. Power is divided between a central government and the state governmentssome powers are concurrent and held by both levels of government (the power to tax) and some powers are denied to both (tax an export).
Government is restricted by the rule of law (the Constitution and the laws created under its provisions)-the government is not allpowerful. Constitutional provisions that give controls over the other two from getting too much power.
Constitutional separation of power into three branches: legislative-the power to make laws; executive-the power to execute the laws; and judicial-the power to explain and interpret the laws. Personal freedoms, personal protections, and equality under the law are defined and guaranteed in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and all of the law.
A system of government where representatives are elected by and serve at the will of the people. Government is based on the consent of the governed.