Six (Plus One) Basic Principles of the Constitution Project
75 Points
Task: Create a project to showcase your understanding of the six (plus one) basic
principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Directions: Using your knowledge, textbook, class notes, or any other appropriate
resource, you will create a project showing that you fully understand of each of
the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution. You may create either posters or a
powerpoint (a printout of the powerpoint must be provided to the teacher and must
be printed at home or in the library) to demonstrate your knowledge. This project
may be done individually or with a partner. It may be necessary to complete
part of this project will be done OUTSIDE OF CLASS so please consider that if
you choose a partner.
Requirements:

Six (Plus One) Basic Principles (points)
o Definition/Explanation of EACH principle (2points each)
o Brief explanation of why EACH principle is important to the U.S.
government (3 points each)
o 2 examples of the principle (2 points for each example)

Class Presentation (points)

Other (points)
o Creativity-General creativity points or going “above and beyond”
o Neatness & visual appeal
o Final product shows effort (no pencil)
o Understandability
o Project flows well
DUE DATE: NO LATER THAN _______________________________
Six (Plus One) Basic Principles of the Constitution Project
Scoring Guide
(75 Points)
______Six (plus one) Basic Principles (56 Points)
_____ Definition/Explanation (in detail) of EACH principle (2 points each)
o
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
o
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
o
Judicial Review
Federalism
o
Due Process
______Brief explanation of why EACH principle important to the U.S.
Government (2 points each)
o
Clearly explains why each principle is important
o
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
o
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
o
Judicial Review
Federalism
o
Due Process
_______2 examples of the principle (2 points for each example)
o
One example of the principle “in action” (working today or in the past)
o
A second example of the principle (may be a general example)
o
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
o
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
o
Judicial Review
Federalism
o
Due Process
______Class Presentation (5 Points)-one principle chosen by the teacher.
*Student(s) speak clearly.
*Students are prepared to present when called
______Other (14 Points)
*Creativity within the final product
* Neatness, colorful, use of pictures, and visual appeal
*Final product shows effort
Well-organized
Shows a great deal of time/effort spent putting project together
*Understandability
Information is neatly & legibly written or typed
Information is presented in an appropriate manner
Total Points: ___________/75
Six (Plus One) Basic Principles of the Constitution Project
Rough Draft
Popular Sovereignty

Explanation of principle:

Explanation of why principle is important to the U.S. government:

Example #1: (principle “in action”)

Example #2:
Limited Government

Explanation of principle:

Explanation of why principle is important to the U.S. government:

Example #1: (principle “in action”)

Example #2:
Judicial Review

Explanation of principle:

Explanation of why principle is important to the U.S. government:

Example #1: (principle “in action”)

Example #2:
Federalism

Explanation of principle:

Explanation of why principle is important to the U.S. government:

Example #1: (principle “in action”)

Example #2:
Separation of Powers

Explanation of principle:

Explanation of why principle is important to the U.S. government:

Example #1: (principle “in action”)

Example #2:
Checks and Balances

Explanation of principle:

Explanation of why principle is important to the U.S. government:

Example #1: (principle “in action”)

Example #2:
Due Process

Explanation of principle:

Explanation of why principle is important to the U.S. government:

Example #1: (principle “in action”)

Example #2:
Six (Plus One) Basic Principles of the Constitution Project
Sign Up Sheet for Partners & Presentation topic
Hour __________
(Remember all groups complete information for all principles, but only have to
present one principle to class)
GROUP
PRINCIPLE FOR PRESENTATION
1.
2.
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
1.
2.
LIMITED GOVERNMENT
1.
2.
SEPARATION OF POWERS
1.
2.
CHECKS AND BALANCES
1.
2.
JUDICIAL REVIEW
1.
2.
FEDERALISM
1.
2.
DUE PROCESS
.