Seven Principles of U.S. Constitution
SEE:
Divide students into 7 groups and each groups receives one question on a placard to
answer.
See attached placards.
Have students try to answer in their group to see the level of prior knowledge.
DO & TALK:
Put answer placards up on board and allow groups to choose the one that is their
answer. Have each group explain why they choose that answer. Allow groups to
trade answers if they choose.
Post Questions and Answers together on board. Then provide picture and official
vocabulary term placards. Have groups choose the term and picture that goes along
with their question and answer. Allow discussion and questions about pictures and
official term. MAKE SURE STUDENTS WRITE OFFICIAL TERM UNDER PICTURE
IN THEIR CHART!!
TRANSFER:
Students may work in groups or individually at this point. Have students complete
chart with all 7 questions. BE SURE STUDENTS TITLE CHART—Let them come up
with the best title, but you want them to see that this is about the 7 BASIC
PRINCIPLES OF THE US GOVERNMENT or THE 7 BASIC PRINCIPLES IN THE
US CONSTITUTION.
At end of lesson or next day as review, provide example charts and have students
point to the principle it exemplifies on their chart. Have students come up with NEW
examples of each principle.
Who gives the US government
its power?
The People
PopularSovereignty
How do the people of the United
States have a voice in
government policy and
procedures?
Which government has more
power, the state or national?
What are the branches of the US
government and what is the
purpose of different branches?
What sets the guidelines and
rules for what the national
government can and cannot do?
What are personal freedoms and
how are they protected?
How do the different branches of
the US government limit the
power of each branch?
By voting for
representatives
Republicanism
State and Federal
governments
share power
Executive,
Legislative &
Judicial
The U.S.
Constitution
Freedom of Speech,
religion, etc.
Bill of Rights
One has power
over the other
branch-veto, etc.
=
Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Limited Government
Individual Rights
Check and Balances
Your parents
voting for the
mayor, governor
or president.
Kay Bailey
Hutchinson is
Texas senator in
the US Senate.
States set taxes
on gasoline.
The US
government sets
income tax.
The legislature
passes laws.
The US
government can
have no powers
beyond what are
stated in the
constitution.
You have the
right to practice
any religion you
wish.
The president
can veto a bill
passed by
Congress.
ANSWER
TERM
Who gives the US government
its power?
How do the people of the United
States have a voice in
government policy and
procedures?
Which government has more
power, the state or national?
What are the branches of the US
government and what is the
purpose of different branches?
What sets the guidelines and
rules for what the national
government can and cannot do?
What are personal freedoms and
how are they protected?
How do the different branches of
the US government limit the
power of each branch?
=
EXAMPLE
Who gives the
US government
its power?
How do people
of the US have
a voice in
government
policy and
procedure?
Which
government has
more power, the
state or
national?
What are the
branches of US
government and
why do we have
the different
branches?
What sets the
guidelines and
rules for what
the national
government can
and cannot do?
What are
personal
freedoms and
how they are
protected?
How do the
different
branches of the
US government
limit the power
of each branch?
The People
By voting for
representatives
State and
Federal
governments
share powersbut since Civil
War, Federal
has higher
authority
Executive,
Legislative and
Judicial
To keep one
group or person
from getting too
much power
The U.S.
Constitution
Freedom of
Speech,
religion, press,
etc.
Bill of Rights
One has power
over the other
branch
Republicanism
Popular
Sovereignty
=
Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights
Checks and
Balances
Your parents
voting for
mayor,
governor or
president.
Kay Bailey
Hutchinson is
Texas’ senator
in the US
Senate.
States set
taxes on
gasoline. The
US
government
set income tax.
The legislature
passes laws.
The US
government
can have no
powers
beyond what
are stated in
the
constitution.
You have the
right to
practice any
religion you
wish.
The president
can veto a bill
that Congress
has passed.