The Documents that Bind US
Part 1: Declaration of Independence
▲(K) understands core civic values inherent in the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights,
and Declaration of Independence that have been the foundation for unity in American society
(e.g., right to free speech, religion, press, assembly; equality; human dignity; civic responsibility,
sovereignty of the people).
•
Objectives
•
Students will identify basic beliefs and ideals stemming from the Declaration of
Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
•
Students will discuss the significance of these documents in promoting
democratic ideals, protecting civil liberties and fostering our understanding of
America as a nation.
•
The Declaration of Independence
•
Theme Questions
•
•
Supreme power rests with the people or their elected representatives.
•
All men are created equal.
•
Nontransferable rights.
•
The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
OUR SHARED BELIEFS AS AMERICANSDIRECTIONS: Read the statements.
Decide whether or not it is a belief that most Americans share. Put a Y (Yes) by each
statement that you think most Americans believe. Put an N (No) next to each statement
that you think most Americans do not believe.
Part 2: The Constitution
The Constitution of the United States of American was written to make the central government
of the new country stronger than it had been under the Articles of Confederation.
•
Preamble to the Constitution of the United States
•
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,
ensure domestic tranquility, provide for common defense, promote the general welfare, and
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States Of America.
1. Work together to develop a working definition of the word or phrase.
2. You should also describe the role of government in providing practical applications of
these concepts.
•
Justice
•
Domestic
•
Tranquility
•
General welfare
•
Posterity
•
Common defense
1. Work together to develop a working definition of the word or phrase.
2. You should also describe the role of government in providing practical applications of
these concepts.
•
Sovereignty of people
•
Civic responsibility
•
Freedom of speech
•
Freedom of religion
•
Freedom of press
•
Freedom of assembly
•
Equality
•
Human dignity
Part 3: Constitutional powers
▲(K) explains Constitutional powers (e.g., ▲expressed/enumerated, ▲implied, inherent,
▲reserved, concurrent).
•
National Government
–
•
Delegated powers:
3 distinct types of delegated powers exist:
–
–
–
•
Expressed or Enumerated powers
–
–
Examples:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Asignment: Use the Constitution and the internet to find 5 more examples of
Expressed/Enumerated Powers.
•
1.
•
2.
•
3.
•
4.
•
5.
•
Implied Powers
–
•
“necessary and proper”
•
Also called the _______________________.
–
Examples:
•
•
•
The power to do so is reasonably implied by just one of the expressed powers: The power to
regulate foreign and interstate commerce.
–
•
Assignment: Using this expressed power what else does/could the Federal Govt. do
that falls under the “necessary and proper clause.”
•
1.
•
2.
•
3.
Inherent Powers
–
–
–
Few in #
–
The Power to regulate
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reserved Powers
–
10th Amendment gives the states additional authority.
–
•
Example of states’ powers:
–
–
–
–
•
How states use their powers
–
–
–