Constitution

Connecticut Technical High School System CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 12/20/2010 Unit 3: The United States Constitution and the branches of government. Goal: Students will examine the U.S. Constitution and the components and balances of the federal government. Big Idea (s): The US Constitution is based on fundamental principles and protects the rights and liberties that impact the daily life of Americans. The Constitution is a groundbreaking model for republican government that is flexible and has the ability to meet the test of time. It is a living document. The Constitution outlines a system of checks and balance that provides controls to safeguard our democratic system. It is the longest lasting written national constitution in the world. The Constitution ensures a balance of power through a system of checks and balances. Power is distributed and shared among the three branches of the national government. The U.S. Constitution impacts the daily life of Americans in many ways. The Constitution established the U.S. form of federal government and is the “supreme law of the land”. Essential Question (s): What are the basic principles of American government? Are these principles essential to a democracy? How does the Constitution impact Americans? How is the power of government distributed in the United States? How are the three branches of government dependent on each other? How does our Constitution prevent one branch of government from gaining too much power? How does the system of checks and balances work? How are power and responsibility distributed, shared and limited in the government established by the U.S. Constitution? How did the framers distribute power in the Constitution? What makes an effective President? What makes an effective legislator? What kind of government did the Constitution form? Is the Constitution really the “supreme law of the land”? Why has the Constitution endured? Which branch is most powerful? How is the rule of law different then the rule of men? (honors) Learning Outcomes Students will: Literacy 1. Define and apply key vocabulary/concepts including popular

sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, federalism, qualifications, terms, elections, powers, limitations, impeachment, succession:  Paraphrase/summarize  Compare/contrast

As evidenced by a written, oral or visual:      

Vocabulary journals Narrative descriptions 2-3 Column Notes (i.e. term/definition/illustrate/paraphrase/relate) Lincs/Frayer Visual representation (i.e concept diagram/map, graph, chart, drawing, poster, comic strip, cartoon) Discussion

(H) Honors. Honors students will complete a cross cycle/over the trade assignment.

Connecticut Technical High School System CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 12/20/2010  Classify  Categorize  Discuss/explain  Illustrate  Demonstrate  Reflect/relate  Infer 10.10 Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of American government and the purpose of the US Constitution:

  

Oral presentation Short answer Essay

Summary of the principles of American government.

1) All people are created equal and have basic rights; 2) Government protection of basic rights; 3) Representative government; 4) Limited government; and 5) A federal governmental structure.  Popular Sovereignty  Limited Government  Separation of Powers  Checks and Balances  Judicial Review  Federalism 10.11 Read, discuss, interpret and evaluate the Preamble.

(H) – expert groups jigsaw on Principles of the U.S. Constitution (popular sovereignty, limited govt., separation of powers, checks & balances, judicial review, federalism) *Create a poster demonstrating knowledge of all principles EXCEPT for your “area of expertise”.

10.12 Explain how the design of the Constitution intended to balance powers.

Explanation of how the design of the Constitution balances powers between the branches of government.

1.5 Apply a historical understanding of balancing powers to a current event. 10.13 Explain the relationship between the Supreme Court and the other branches of government. 10.14 Describe and evaluate the legislative branch in relation to:  Qualifications  terms  elections  powers  limitations  impeachment  succession  structure

Summary of the purpose of the Constitution Paraphrase the Preamble and take a position on the most important phrase.

(H) – Current event search: Find a current event or political cartoon illustrating the balance of power and summarize it. Summary of the characteristics of the Legislative Branch. Evaluation of the powers and limitations of the Legislative Branch.

(H) – Write a persuasive essay explaining why limitations on the powers of the legislative branch are necessary.

8.1 Form questions, research multiple sources, develop an opinion and defend a position on current issues.

(H) Honors. Honors students will complete a cross cycle/over the trade assignment.

Connecticut Technical High School System CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 12/20/2010 10.15 Identify your representatives in national and state legislature:



Local



State

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National

10.16 Evaluate contemporary roles of legislators. 8.6 Read, discuss, interpret and evaluate multiple literary sources.

10.17 Describe and evaluate the executive branch in relation to:  Qualifications  terms  how elected  powers  limitations  impeachment  succession  structure 8.1 Form questions, research multiple sources, develop an opinion and defend a position on current issues. Honors 10.18 Describe relationships between past and present trends in the executive branch.

List of representatives and senators and their party affiliation. (H) – Research a current issue of concern to you and write a letter to your local or state representative. Evaluation of a legislator’s role:      

qualifications terms election process powers structure process for proposing and enacting legislation

Summary of the characteristics of the Executive Branch. Evaluation of the powers and limitations of the Executive Branch.

(H) – Write a persuasive essay explaining why limitations on the powers of the executive branch are necessary.

Description between past and present trends in executive branch.

10.19 Explain the structure and role of the Judicial branch  Qualifications  How appointed  terms  powers  organization  jurisdiction

Explanation of structure and role of the Judicial branch.

10.20 Analyze the importance of Judicial Review:  Marbury v. Madison

Analysis of the importance of Judicial Review. (H) – Research a case of judicial review and explain its impact on American society.

10.21 Describe the importance of the Supreme Court and how the Supreme Court is a changing court.

Explanation of the importance of the Supreme Court and how the Supreme Court stays current with the times.

Resources: (H) Honors. Honors students will complete a cross cycle/over the trade assignment.

Connecticut Technical High School System CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 12/20/2010

Extension Activity:  

Compare and contrast current President to one of the past.

Research a past or present Supreme Court Justice and evaluate his/her effect on the Supreme Court and nation. Teacher(s) Designed Formative Assessments District-wide Trimester Assessment(s) http://sde-cthsi/DWTA/academic.html  TBD

Concepts

Skills

Students need to know about:

Students need to be able to do:

10.10 Purpose of the US Constitution:

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism 10.11 Preamble.

Apply (an understanding of the purpose of the US Constitution.

 Popular Sovereignty  Limited Government  Separation of Powers  Checks and Balances  Judicial Review  Federalism) Read, discuss, interpret and evaluate (Preamble).

10.12 Design of the Constitution intended to balance powers.

Explain (how the Constitution balances powers.)

1.5 Historical understanding of a current event.

Apply (a historical understanding of a current event).

10.13 Relationship of the Supreme Court and the branches of government. 10.14 Legislative branch in relation to: Qualifications terms elections powers limitations impeachment succession structure

8.1 Position on current issues. 10.15 National and state legislators:

Explain (relationship between Supreme Court and the legislative and Executive branches). Describe and evaluate (the legislative  Qualifications  terms  elections  powers  limitations  impeachment  succession)  structure) Question, research, defend (a position on current issues). Identify (national and state legislators):

(H) Honors. Honors students will complete a cross cycle/over the trade assignment.

Connecticut Technical High School System CIVICS/AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 12/20/2010 10.16 Contemporary roles of legislators.

Evaluate (contemporary roles of legislators).

8.6 Multiple literary sources.

Read, discuss, interpret and evaluate (multiple literary sources).

10.17 Executive branch in relation to: Qualifications terms elected powers limitations impeachment succession structure

Honors 10.18 Past and present trends in the executive branch.

Describe and evaluate (the executive branch in relation to:  Qualifications  terms  elected  powers  limitations  impeachment  succession  structure)  Form questions, research multiple sources, develop an opinion and defend a position on current issues. Honors Describe (past and present trends in the executive branch).

10.19 Structure and role of the Judicial branch Qualifications terms powers organization jurisdiction

Explain (structure and role of the Judicial branch  Qualifications  terms  powers  organization  jurisdiction)

10.20 Judicial Review: Marbury v. Madison 10.21 Supreme Court

Analyze (importance of Judicial Review:  Marbury v. Madison) Describe (significance and how the Supreme Court is a changing court).

8.1 Form questions, research multiple sources, develop an opinion and defend a position on current issues.

(H) Honors. Honors students will complete a cross cycle/over the trade assignment.