Objectives: Students will be able to…(1) define the six “big
ideas” of the Constitution (2) form arguments and
counterarguments to support their side of the debate (3) work
cooperatively with classmates.
Agenda:
1. What is the Constitution?
2. Define the 6 Principles
3. Constitution Treasure Hunt
Homework: Finish your project for
TUESDAY
Federalism
Popular Sovereignty
Checks and Balances
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Republicansism
 Using
the
Constitution
starting on pg. 189,
make a table of
contents for the
major sections.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIf7u
FAKkJc
 Constitution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5d
3haRG7M
 Complete
the treasure hunt on the
Constitution!
Objectives: Students will be able to...(1)
form opinions on the major themes of the
Constitution (2) utilize evidence to support
their side of the argument.
Agenda:
1.
2.
Which is most important?
Debate prep
Homework: Gather evidence and continue
to prep
 Room
will be split in half
 Each half of the room will be assigned
position A or B
 We will have 6 total debates – 4 people
form each side will debate each
principle
 You have all of today to prep – Debates
commence tomorrow
1. The idea: Limited Government Question:
To what extent should the federal
government be involved in economic
issues?
2. The idea: Republicanism Question: What
should be the role of citizens in creating
public policy?
3. The idea: Checks and Balances Question:
When the President makes a nomination,
what should be the nature of the Senate's
"advice and consent?"
4. The idea: Federalism Question: How
should power be divided between the
federal government and the states?
5. The idea: Separation of Powers Question:
Once Congress declares war and the
President assumes the role of Commanderin-Chief, who decides how the war ends?
6. The idea: Popular Sovereignty Question:
Should voter ballot initiatives (petitions) be
allowed to overturn laws passed by
legislative bodies?
Objectives: Students will be able to...(1) explain
checks and balances (2) interpret a chart for
key information about the powers of the
branches.
Agenda:
1. Checks and balances
2. Powers of each branch
Homework: Write one paragraph on whether
you think checks and balances is a good thing
and why. You MUST use at least one
example/evidence.
 Legislative: Makes
the laws
• Two House (Bi-Cameral) Legislature: Senate (Equal Rep) &
House of Representatives (Based on Population)
 Executive: Carries
out the laws
 Judicial: Interprets the laws
Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
Helpful Definitions
Veto: Reject
Ratify/Ratifies:
Sign or give
formal consent
Unconstitutional:
Goes against the
laws of the
constitution
 Within
your group, study the powers of
each branch.
 We
are now going to divide into three
groups (Legislative, Executive, and
Judicial)
 Mr. Collison will give you a number 1-3
 Once he gives you a number he will tell
you which corner to go to and pass out a
worksheet.
 Homeland
security officials have been
ordered to open suspicious packages
they believe might be from terrorists.

A
bill was recently passed to allow
citizens to choose their own health care
plan under Medicare.
 The
United States has signed a peace
treaty with Iran
A
law recently passed in a state
legislature banning gay marriages is
being challenged as unconstitutional
A
Bill is passed outlawing American
citizens from making contributions to
charitable organizations from the Middle
East
A
replacement for the Attorney General
has been given to congress
A
recent bill to increase funding for
education was passed of the the
president’s rejection of the bill
Homework: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
worksheet
Objectives: Students will be able to...(1) make
predictions using content and real world
knowledge about the powers of the state and
federal government (2) describe the powers of
the federal government
Agenda:
1. Federalism
2. Who has what powers?
 Powers
are divided between the state
and federal governments
 Enumerated
Powers: Just federal
government powers
 Reserved Powers: Just state powers
 Concurrent Powers: State AND Federal
powers
 Working
with a partner, fill in the 3column chart with which powers you
think belong where
Agenda:
1. What is the Bill of Rights?
2. Review what we remember?
3. Your Civil Liberties!
Homework: Finish the worksheet for HW
Agenda:
1. What is the Bill of Rights?
2. Review what we remember?
3. Poster
Homework: Print and pictures you want for
your poster
 First
10 Amendments – Protect our
individual rights and liberties.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlt6R1
KD4E0
 Summarize
each amendment in your own
words – Working with a partner
 Using
the Bill of Rights worksheet –
Create a poster that illustrates all 10
amendments.
 Things to include:
1. Picture showing what each amendment is
2. The amendment in your own words
 Using
your copy of the Bill of Rights,
examine the scenarios and write down
which amendment it deals with and
whether it’s a violation of your rights.
Which question are you most sure of and
why?
OR
Which Amendment do you think is most
important?