The United States Constitution
Lesson 1: Today we will be looking at the preamble of the constitution. The preamble is the introduction of the constitution stating its purpose and justifications. As a class we will first watch a video singing the preamble, follow along with the lyrics. You will later complete a worksheet where you will have to fill in the blanks for the words of our preamble. Once you have completed the worksheet you will then tape it into your interactive notebook.
As we watch the School House Rock song of the preamble think about these guiding questions:
How does the Constitution relate to me?
Why is the Preamble still important today?
Use this link to sing along and memorize the preamble on your own!
Preamble School House RockA quiz will be given at the end of class, once completed tape into your interactive notebook.
Make sure to complete your vocabulary in the back of your interactive notebook (this will be checked tomorrow in class). Here is the list of the vocabulary you should have defined in your own words...make sure to add a picture or doodle to deepen your connections!
1. Preamble
2. Domestic tranquility
3. Posterity
Lesson 2: Summarize and analyze the constitution. First grab a piece of paper to write down all they words of the preamble that you can remember! Once you have done so turn this in at the front of the class. We will now take time to watch a quick video from Crash Course covering the constitution, the articles, and federalism. Be thinking about these guiding questions while watching the video:
Where does the power of government come from?
Was compromise an effective tool in creating the constitution and what compromises were made?
We will now discuss and review the seven articles of the constitution. Make sure to take any notes and write down any questions you may have! Our summary of each article will be added to this shared google doc found here- Constitution Summary. Once we have completed the summary as a class, you will divide into 7 groups to further explore each article. Add your findings to the Constitution summary google doc (make sure to add the names of everyone in your group to the article you are assigned).
Now the fun part, you will be composing your own constitution. Keep in mind the parts of our United State Constitution. We have separate powers, the ability to make changes, and comparable law making, include these aspects in your constitution! Once this has been completed tape it into your interactive notebook.
Make sure to complete your vocabulary in the back of your interactive notebook (this will be checked tomorrow in class). Here is the list of the vocabulary you should have defined in your own words...make sure to add a picture or doodle to deepen your connections!
4. Democracy
5. Checks and balances
6. Amendment
7. Ratification
Lesson 3: Dig deeper into Article 1 of the Constitution. Today we will be explaining, interpreting, and applying the responsibilities of the legislative branch. Looking at the separate powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate. As a class we will watch a video over the Senate vs. House. You will need to take notes and complete this table for your interactive notebook-Table. For more clarification on the roles of the house and senate you can watch this video Legislative process. When watching the video consider these guiding questions:
1. How does the Constitution limit power
2. Why is it it important to have a distribution of powers?
We will then discuss the actions of passing a law and the procedure that must be endured. Following, compose a flow chart to help visualize the process of a bill becoming a law (add pictures, doodles, and words!). Tape the completed chart into your interactive notebook.
Make sure to complete your vocabulary in the back of your interactive notebook (this will be checked tomorrow in class). Here is the list of the vocabulary you should have defined in your own words...make sure to add a picture or doodle to deepen your connections!
8. Conference committee
9. Redistricting
10. Quorum
11. Filibuster
Lesson 4: Dig deeper into Article 2 of the Constitution. Today we will be explaining, interpreting, and applying the responsibilities of the executive branch. Looking at the process of becoming president and the powers that succeed. As a class we will analyze maps of historical Presidential elections to current day results using this website Presidential election. We will then discuss the presidential line of succession. Take notes during the video over the presidential Line of succession then select a partner to research who would be the next three in line if our current president were to pass or be removed. Once you have completed this turn in your paper at the front of the room (answers will be checked as a class).
We will now continue to learn about the process of becoming president through voting and the role of the Electoral college. Keeping that in mind we will perform a mock election. Three students will be selected one representing the democrats, the republicans, and the third party candidate. All students will be numbered off and put into groups to research one of the three party's beliefs. Each group will then create a poster with the candidate (the poster they help create will not necessarily be the person they vote for!).
As a class we will watch the Closing Statement of the last presidential election. While watching keep in mind these guiding questions:
1. Why is it important to limit our executive powers?
2. How does the president execute the laws?
Our mock election will then take place with each party candidate preparing and expressing their closing statement. Students will then place their poll to decide the popular vote.
A short quiz will be given at the end of class, once completed it should be taped into your interactive notebook.
Make sure to complete your vocabulary in the back of your interactive notebook (this will be checked tomorrow in class). Here is the list of the vocabulary you should have defined in your own words...make sure to add a picture or doodle to deepen your connections!
12. Electoral college
13. Impeach
14. Inauguration
15. Reprieve
Lesson 5: Dig deeper into Article 3 of the Constitution. Today we will be explaining, interpreting, and applying the responsibilities of the judicial branch and breaking down the three sections within the article. Looking at the role the supreme court, our court system itself, and treason.
To follow we will then simulate our own court case! First the chief of justice will be chose, the jury, defendant, and convict. Use this website to help gain greater understanding of the supreme court- Supreme court. Then watch part of this Supreme court case as a class to get an idea of how the system works. While watching think about these guiding questions:
1. Why is it important to have an independent judiciary within our government?
2. Is the legislative branch too powerful?
The court case will proceed until a decision is met by the jury...at the end of the class period! The judge will then either rule the convicted either guilty or innocent. You will then use that same link to answer questions for a quick quiz over the legislative branch (Supreme court). Once you have completed the quiz tape it into your interactive notebook.
Make sure to complete your vocabulary in the back of your interactive notebook (this will be checked tomorrow in class). Here is the list of the vocabulary you should have defined in your own words...make sure to add a picture or doodle to deepen your connections!
16. Jurisdiction
17. Extradition
18. Appellate Court
1. What rights do you have as a students?
2. How are the amendments crucial to the Constitution?
Continuing, we will break up into 10 groups to create a more in depth poster or presentation over each of the amendments. Follow the rubric found on this shared google doc. During working time I will play the Preamble, within the last 5-10 minutes of class you will have to write down all the words-- or as many as you can remember! to turn into the front of the class.
Make sure to complete your vocabulary in the back of your interactive notebook (this will be checked tomorrow in class). Here is the list of the vocabulary you should have defined in your own words...make sure to add a picture or doodle to deepen your connections!
19. Amendment
20. Abridge
21. Redress
22. Infringe
23. Indictment
24. Enumeration
Lesson 7: Summative assessment. You will now be ready for your final assessment. It will include 5 essay questions and a video response. For the video response you will be given a list of additional questions the day of the test, once you have completed the written portion you will then step out of the room to record a 3-5 minute response to ONE selected question. You will use the website Lifelogger to submit your clip under my account. Good luck!
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