The Story of the Constitution Unit Lesson Title Lesson Objectives 1 - THE COLONIES STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE Introduction Recognize the importance of the Constitution s unchanging principles in today s changing society. The Colonial Experience Recognize that America's political roots came from Europe most specifically England. Identify the role that European political theorists such as Hume, Locke, and Blackstone had in America s colonial era. The Thirteen Colonies Project - Early American Law The Struggle for American Independence American Independence The Role of Religion Review English exploration and settlement of North America. Review the history of early colonial government in the English colonies. Compose a report of approximately 250-300 words on America s legal foundations. Review the circumstances that led to the original thirteen colonies becoming an independent country Review the major events that led to American independence. Identify the role evangelical Christianity played in supporting the colonial resistance to the British. 2- A NEW NATION IS FORMED A New Nation is Formed Identify challenges faced by the Second Continental Congress. Identify weaknesses of the Articles Confederation Identify weaknesses of the Articles Confederation. Weaknesses of the Confederation-Part I Weaknesses of the Identify weaknesses of the Articles Confederation. Identify successes of Confederation-Part II the Articles Confederation. Identify successes of the Second Continental Congress. Project - Under the Articles Compose a report of approximately 350 words on events leading to the U.S. Constitution. Change is Needed Identify circumstances and events that led to the Constitutional tiona Convention. Efforts at Reform An Historic Assembly Members of the Constitutional Convention Identify circumstances and events that led to the Constitutional Convention. Recognize how the matter of interstate trade led to revising the Articles of Confederation. Describe the context and setting of the Constitutional Convention. Explain why meetings of the Constitutional Convention were held in secret. Identify characteristics shared by most of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Identify prominent members of the Constitutional Convention. 2011 Glynlyon, Inc. 1
3 - WRITING AND RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION Competing Plans Of Government Identify major issues that were addressed by the Constitutional Convention. Describe the three competing plans of government presented at the Convention: the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and Alexander Hamilton's proposal. Necessary Compromises Identify major issues that were addressed by the Constitutional Convention. Describe the three major compromises of the Convention: the Great (Connecticut) Compromise, Three-fifths Compromise, and Commerce Compromise. Important Details Explain how the delegates to the Constitutional Convention balanced the issues of limited democracy and popular participation. Explain how the delegates to the Constitutional Convention defined the nature and extent of the power of the federal judiciary. Explain how the delegates to the Constitutional Convention resolved the issue of a religious test for holding office. Explain how the delegates to the Constitutional Convention defined the nature of the relationship of the states to the national government and the new Constitution. Finishing The Work Project: The Constitutional Convention The Ratification Struggle -- Part I Explain how the delegates to the Constitutional Convention defined the process for ratifying the Constitution. Describe the last steps of finalizing the Constitution. Identify the general makeup of the Federalists and Antifederalists. The Ratification Struggle -- Part II Describe Antifederalists criticisms and regional criticisms of the Constitution that were debated during the struggle for ratification. Describe responses to the criticisms of the Constitution that were debated during the struggle for ratification. The State Conventions Describe the process of ratifying the Constitution followed by the state conventions. 4- PREAMBLE AND ARTICLE I Preamble And Article I Overview Article I, Sections 1-3 Article I, Sections 4-7 Article I, Section 8 Article I, Sections 9 & 10 Review the purposes for which the Constitution was "ordained and established" by the people as stated in the preamble. Review the general principles found in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution. Explain the establishment of Congress and its duties and powers, including those of the House and Senate, as spelled out in Article 1 of the Constitution. Review the historical use of the power of impeachment. Explain the establishment of Congress and its duties and powers, including those of the House and Senate, as spelled out in Article 1 of the Constitution. Explain the procedure for a bill in Congress to become a law. Explain the powers granted to Congress, including those of the House and Senate, as spelled out in Article 1 of the Constitution. Differentiate between the enumerated powers and the implied powers of Congress. Explain the powers denied to the federal government as found in Article 1 of the Constitution. Explain the powers denied to the states as found in Article 1 of the Constitution. 2011 Glynlyon, Inc. 2
5 - ARTICLES II-VII Article II, Section 1 Explain the establishment of the Executive Branch and its duties and powers as spelled out in Article 2 of the Constitution. Describe the lawmaking function of the president as expressed through rulemaking and executive orders. Explain the process of electing the president and vicepresident, including the role of the Electoral College. Article II, Sections 2-4 Article III Project: The Judicial Branch Of Government Articles IV-VII Explain the establishment of the Executive Branch and its duties and powers as spelled out in Article 2 of the Constitution. Explain the establishment of the Judicial Branch and its duties and powers as spelled out in Article 3 of the Constitution. Review the case study of Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork. Compose a report of approximately 300 words on selected aspects of the Judicial branch or key Supreme Court decisions. Explain how Article 4 of the Constitution defined the relationships between the various states. Describe the process of amending the Constitution as spelled out in Article 5 of the Constitution. Explain the concept of national supremacy as found in Article 6 of the Constitution. Compare and contrast the process of ratifying the Constitution as found in Article 7 of the Constitution with the process of amending the Articles of Confederation. 2011 Glynlyon, Inc. 3
6 - AMENDMENTS I-XV Amendments I - II established as restrictions upon national power. Recognize that the rights provided by Amendment 1 are not unlimited. Identify five personal liberties guaranteed to all individuals in Amendment 1 of the Constitution. Explain the purpose and scope of the right to keep and bear arms as found in Amendment 2 of the Constitution. Amendments III - IV established as restrictions upon national power. Explain the prohibition against the quartering of troops as found in Amendment 3 of the Constitution. Explain the prohibition against "unreasonable searches and seizures" as found in Amendment 4 of the Constitution. Amendments V - VIII Amendments IX - X Amendments XI - XII Amendments XIII - XV established as restrictions upon national power. Identify the rights of the accused as guaranteed in Amendments 5-8 of the Constitution. established as restrictions upon national power. Explain the principle of enumerated rights, as found in Amendment 9 of the Constitution. Explain the principle of reserved powers, as found in Amendment 10 of the Constitution. Explain the purpose and scope of Amendment 11 of the Constitution. Explain the change in the selection process of President and Vice President as created by Amendment 12 of the Constitution. Recognize that Amendments 13-15 continued the battle between states' rights and nationalism. Recognize that t Amendments 13-15 15 were the first amendments to restrict the power of the states. Explain the purpose and scope of Amendments 13-15 of the Constitution. 2011 Glynlyon, Inc. 4
7 - TWENTIETH CENTURY AMENDMENTS Amendments XVI - XVIII Explain the purpose and scope of Amendments 16-18 of the Constitution. Explain the change in the election process of U.S. Senators as created by Amendment 17 of the Constitution. Identify Amendment 18 as the only amendment that has been repealed. Amendments XIX- XXI Explain the purpose and scope of Amendments 19-21 of the Constitution. Explain why Amendment 19 strengthened the federal government at the expense of states' rights. Identify Amendment 21 as the only amendment designed to repeal another amendment. Amendments XXII - XXIV Explain the purpose and scope of Amendments 22-24 of the Constitution. Explain why Amendment 24 strengthened the federal government at the expense of states' rights. Amendments XXV - XXVII Explain the purpose and scope of Amendments 25-27 of the Constitution. Explain why Amendment 26 strengthened the federal government at the expense of states' rights. 8 - THE PRINCIPLES AND NATURE OF OUR CONSTITUTION Principles Of The Constitution - Part I Principles Of The Constitution - Part II The Nature Of Our Constitution Changes To The Constitutional Order The Future Of The Constitution Explain the principle of divided government as found in the U.S. Constitution. Explain the principle of moral government as found in the U.S. Constitution. Analyze differing opinions on whether America is a Christian nation. Analyze differing views on the matter of a living Constitution. Explain the principle of organic law. Explain the principle of Constitutional supremacy. Explain how the traditional view of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land has changed in recent years. Explain how each branch of government, but especially the Supreme Court, has acted beyond its original constitutional boundaries. Identify the protections required to faithfully apply the Constitution to the changing needs of the nation in the future. 2011 Glynlyon, Inc. 5