Have out your notes from last class titled “What is
Civics”
We will discuss this and go over the answers.
Of American Government
1.
2.
What are the 5 fundamental principles of
American government?
Define each principles and recognize how it
is used in your daily life.

What are some fundamentals that you work
on in PE class or when you are practicing a
sport or some other activity?
The basic ideas that are the foundation of
American Government are:





Rule of Law
Limited Government
Consent of the Governed
Democracy
Representative Government
On the worksheet provided
1.
2.
3.
Read in the textbook on page 11 and write
down a definition of each principle in the “What
it says” column.
Then take a moment to think about what it
means. In the next column, write down what
you think that definition means in your own
words.
Finally, write down how you think this principle
in used in government or your daily life.
What it says
All people including
those who govern
are bound by the
law
What it means
Everyone must follow
the rules even our
leaders
Examples
What it says
Government is not all
powerful- it may
only do those
things people have
given it the power
to do
What it means
Government is only
as powerful as the
people allow it to
be
Examples
What it says
American citizens are
the source of all
government power
What it means
People allow the
government to rule
for them
Examples
What it says
Government in which
the people hold the
power to rule
What it means
The people have a
voice in
government
Examples
What it says
People elect
government leaders
to make laws and
govern on their
behalf
What it means
People elect officials
to run the
government
Examples
Word
What it Says
What it Means
RULE OF LAW
all people including those who
govern are bound by the law
Everyone has to follow the
laws
LIMITED
GOVERNMENT
Government is not all powerfulit may only do those things that
people have given it the power to
do
Government does what the
people tell it to do
citizens are the source
of all government power
People allow the government
to rule for them
People elect leaders to make the
laws and govern on their behalf
People elect leaders to lead
for them
Government in which the people
rule
The people have the voice in
government
CONSENT OF THE
GOVERNED
REPRESENTATIVE
GOVERNMENT
DEMOCRACY
How is this principle used in
government or your daily life?
With the classmates at your table, complete the
Chart Activity.
You are using critical thinking skills and
applying what you know!
People elect public officeholders to
make laws and conduct business
on their behalf.
The government is not all powerfulit can only do certain things.
People give their permission for
the government to have power.
The government and those who
govern are bound by the law.
The people rule the government.
The government has limitations on
its’ power.
The government and those who
govern must obey the law.
Citizens rule the government in
America.
The people elect others to make
laws.
People are the source of
government power.
Everyone, even officeholders,
have to follow the law.
The government can only do what
citizens give it permission to do.
We elect other people to make
decisions on our behalf.
Citizens have the power and
freedom in the United States
government.
The government cannot do
anything it wants – there are
restrictions.
Because he is protected by the 1st
amendment Jack feels safe
protesting the War in Iraq.
residents elected Mr. Delguadio to
represent them on the Board of
Supervisors.
President Obama asks Congress
to approve his new healthcare bill.
Each November citizens make
government decisions by voting.
The president is given a speeding
ticket.
“No man is good enough to govern
another man without that other’s
consent.” Abe Lincoln
“’We the people’ tell the government
what to do, it doesn’t tell us.” Ronald
Reagan
“Power in human hands will ever be
liable to abuse.” James Madison
“There is nothing more
corrupting…than the exercise of
unlimited power.” William Henry
Harrison
“Officeholders are the agents of the
people, not their masters.” Grover
You will create a Flip Book of the Fundamental
Principles.
You will need:
 3 sheets of computer paper
 Markers, colored pencils
Wait for instructions by the teacher.
•Write definition
•Draw a picture
Rule of Law
•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition
•Write definition
Limited
Government
•Draw a picture
•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition
•Write definition
Consent of the
Governed
•Draw a picture
•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition
•Write definition
Representative
Government
•Draw a picture
•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition
•Write definition
•Draw a picture
Democracy
•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition
1.
2.
3.
Can you name the 5 fundamental principles
of American government?
Can you define each of the fundamental
principles or at least recognize and match
the definitions and terms?
Can you apply how the principles are used?
 Your
Flip Book is
Due at the end of Next
class
QUIZ ON INTRO CIVICS
IN 2 CLASSES