The Constitution

What is it? Why did our Founding Fathers write it and why is it important to me 200

years later?

I Can Statements I can explain the cause and effect relationship

regarding the writing of the Constitution of the United States.

I can explain why the “Framers of the Constitution” wanted to create a government that used a system of checks and balances.

I can describe the purpose of U.S. Government.

I can give examples of services the U.S. Government provides it’s citizens and explain why they are important in my life.

I can explain how a democratic government works to promote the “common good” of all its citizens.

I Can Statements I can explain the basic principles of democracy.

I can explain how the principles of democracy are important to citizens today.

I can Identify the three branches of government, and explain the basic responsibilities of each branch.

I can identify important national/federal leaders for each branch.

I can describe rights and responsibilities I have as a citizen of the U.S, and explain why I need to be civically involved.

VocabularyHistory Alive!

Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention

Constitution branches of government Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch checks and balances cabinet treaty impeachment veto unconstitutional

CATS Testing citizenship civic engagement common good democracy/democratic

society domestic tranquility enacting equality fiscal government justice liberty freedom responsibility welfare

Preamble to the Constitution

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the 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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIKhRERqPS4&feature=related

Branches of Government

What is the role of each branch; and why is each branch important to us as citizens of the United States?

Checks and Balances

Our government is broken into three parts, or branches. Today, we are going to begin learning about what these branches of government do, and why they are important to us as citizens.

Not only does each branch of the government have particular powers, each branch has certain powers over the other branches. This is done to keep them balanced, and to make sure one branch doesn’t gain too much power.

The Legislative BranchCongress

Their role:

This branch of government makes new laws, and changes, or amends, old laws.

Why it is important:If a law is not fair, it is this branch’s job to change it to make it fair for the people of the United States.

Congress’ JobCongress:Makes laws Can impeach (fire) a President for misconduct Must approve who the president chooses to be

justices Gives the O.K. on budget spending and treaties Can remove judges from office for misconduct

Kentucky’s Members of Congress

The Executive Branch

Their role-The Executive Branch makes sure that the laws of the United States are obeyed. The President can veto, or reject, a law that is made by the Legislative Branch if he does not agree with it.

Why it is important-The President is the leader of our country, and is in charge of our military. It is his top priority to make sure we have fair laws and safe.

The President’s job

President: Makes treaties with

other nations Carries out laws Vetoes bills

Congress passes if he thinks they are wrong

Appoints judges in the Judicial Branch for a life term

Writes the budget

The Judicial BranchSupreme Court

Their role-

Why it is important- If a law that Congress makes is not fair, the Supreme Court

can make Congress rewrite the law. This keeps us safe from

unfair laws, and punishes those that break the laws.

The judicial branch of government is made up a court system called the Supreme Court. The Court decides whether laws break the Constitution.

The Supreme Court’s Job

Supreme Court: Interprets laws May decide that some laws that

Congress makes or decisions that the President make are not right according to the Constitution.

Supreme Court