The Constitution at Work

Objective

• Connect primary sources with sections of the Constitution and determine the big idea(s) found in the Constitution exemplified by each.

Review

• Constitution Components– Preamble– Articles– Bill of Rights– Additional Amendments

Big Ideas in the ConstitutionBig Idea Description

Representative government

A system of government in which the people elect officials to govern for them. These official are held accountable to voters through periodic elections.

Federalism A form of government where there is a constitutional division of power between a central government and regional governments.

Checks and balances

A system of overlapping powers if separate branches permitting each branch to limit, restrain, or inform the actions of the other branches.

Separation of powers

A basic principles of American government that places governing duties and powers among three independent and coequal branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Enumerated powers

The powers of government that are specifically outlined in the actual wording of the Constitution.

Implied powers

The powers of government that exist because they are not specifically prohibited by the wording of the Constitution, but are not specifically outlined in the wording.

Civic responsibility

Actions by the people that demonstrate their interest and participation in the governing of their country.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into pairs or small groups. • Ask students to begin the activity, analyzing

each document for a possible link to the Constitution.

• Students should match each document with the specific article and section of the Constitution that it best demonstrates.

Big Ideas

• What major themes or “big ideas” were observed while analyzing the documents?

Big Ideas in the ConstitutionBig Idea Description

Representative government

A system of government in which the people elect officials to govern for them. These official are held accountable to voters through periodic elections.

Federalism A form of government where there is a constitutional division of power between a central government and regional governments.

Checks and balances

A system of overlapping powers if separate branches permitting each branch to limit, restrain, or inform the actions of the other branches.

Separation of powers

A basic principles of American government that places governing duties and powers among three independent and coequal branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Enumerated powers

The powers of government that are specifically outlined in the actual wording of the Constitution.

Implied powers

The powers of government that exist because they are not specifically prohibited by the wording of the Constitution, but are not specifically outlined in the wording.

Civic responsibility

Actions by the people that demonstrate their interest and participation in the governing of their country.

• ask students to consider both the documents they have seen and the Constitution itself.

• ask each student to share examples from a document or section of the Constitution that shows one of the mentioned “big ideas”: