Name: _____________________________
WHAT TO STUDY GUIDE for the United States Constitution
Review the following items:
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Notes:
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Constitution Summary Chart
Legislative Branch Chart & Quiz
Executive Branch Chart & Quiz
Judicial Branch Chart & Quiz
Branch Flip Books
Bill of Rights Summary
Bill of Rights – Quick Check
A Plan for Government Sheet
This Sheet
Below are topics, items, and vocabulary words that you should know.
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Principles
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The principles are ideas that the constitution is built on.
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You do not need to have them memorized.
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Know what each of the seven principles mean.
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Know how each principle applies to our lives and the constitution.
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Pay special attention to checks & balances
Review your notes on the principles.
Preamble
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The preamble outlines the goals of the constitution. These are the six things that the
constitution is supposed to do – it’s why the U.S. Constitution was written.
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You do not need to memorize the goals.
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Know and understand what each goal means.
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Know how it applies to the duties and powers of the government.
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Review your notes on the goals.
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Constitution Overview
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Know some general information about the constitution:
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Why was it created?
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Who is known as its father?
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What type of government does it create?
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When was it created?
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How does it treat slaves?
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Why is it a “living document”?
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What document does it replace?
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Article I
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Know what part of our government Article I creates (what branch?).
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Describe this branch of government.
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Review your chart on this branch.
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Know:
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Composition (parts & numbers)
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Requirements (to be a member)
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Duties (what this group does)
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Powers (what can it do)
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Terms (how long do people serve)
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Memorize the key ideas & details about this branch.
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How were slaves treated (counted) in this section? Why was this compromise reached?
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Know the general steps that a bill takes to become a law.
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What role does each chamber take in the law making process?
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What percentage and fraction of votes does a bill need to advance?
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What do committees do?
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What role does the president have in making laws?
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Article II
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Know what part/branch of government this article created.
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Describe this branch of our government:
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Review your chart on this branch
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Know:
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Composition (who makes up this branch)
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Requirements (to be part of it)
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Duties (what must this group do)
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Powers (what can it do)
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Terms (how long do people serve)
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Succession (who takes over)
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Inauguration (what is that?)
Know about the president’s cabinet.
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You do not need to memorize the cabinet positions or members.
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What purpose does it serve? Why is it there? What does it do?
Memorize the key ideas & details about this branch.
Article III
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Know what part/branch of government this article created.
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Describe this branch of our government:
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Review your chart on this branch
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Know:
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Composition (what’s the highest court?)
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Requirements (to be a member of the court)
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Duties (what does this branch do)
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Powers (what can this branch do)
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Length of Term (how long do people serve)
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Key Vocabulary (see Constitution Summary Chart)
Memorize the key ideas & details about this branch.
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Article IV
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Article V
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What is the “Supreme Law of the Land”?
Article VII
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How is it a “Living Constitution”?
Article VI
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Can (how) new states be added to the United States?
What did it take to ratify (approve and adopt) the constitution?
Bill of Rights
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What is the Bill of Rights?
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Know each of the 10 amendments – what do they mean?
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Give extra time to the “big” amendments, such as the first amendment.
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You do not need to memorize the rights word-for-word.
You do need to know what each of the 10 amendments mean.
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Much like your Bill of Rights check, you will be asked to identify what amendment goes with a
variety of situations
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Review your Bill of Rights summary sheet.
Essay Question Topics:
-Checks & Balances
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Amendments 11-27
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There will not be many questions about these amendments.
Pay them little attention (you will focus on them more in the future).
Know:
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How old you need to be to vote?
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Know the progression of voting rights (groups).
Explain this idea
Give specific examples
Why are they important
-Lady Justice
Explain her symbolism
Explain the idea of justice
Why is justice important
-Living Document
How is it
Why is it
Changes over time
-Limited Government
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Other:
How is it limited
What are the limits
Why is government limited
-Popular Sovereignty
What is it
Why is it important
How do people have a voice