The United States Constitution

The United States

Constitution Targets
I can explain how the United States Constitution is structured
and what it entails.
I can break down and describe the Preamble to the United
States Constitution.
I can explain different Core Democratic Values and how they
are linked to the United States Constitution.
I can describe each of the Articles to the United States
Constitution and what they uphold.
I can depict different amendments to the United States
Constitution and understand why these changes were
necessary.

CORE DEMOCRATIC
VALUES
The building blocks of our government
and the rules and liberties of our country.

Core Democratic Values

Core: the central part of anything, the most
important part
Democratic: government by the people,
directly through representatives
Values: principles and ideas that we think
highly of
Examples of values: manner/being polite,
compassion/helping others, faith or religion, good
sportsmanship, education, hard work, loyalty

So what are the

Core Democratic Values?
1. Individual Rights : Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of
Happiness
2. Common Good
3. Justice
4. Equality
5. Diversity
6. Truth
7. Popular Sovereignty
8. Patriotism
9. Rule of Law

Individual Rights
Life
Definition: An individual has the right
to life, except in extreme cases, such
as when a person is killed when
threatening the life of someone else.

Individual Rights
Liberty
Definition: A citizen has the right to act, think, and
believe as he/she wants without government
interference, freedom of ideas, speech, religion,
press, privacy and many others.

Individual Rights
Pursuit of Happiness
Definition: A person has the right to
find happiness in his/her own way as
long as he/she does not infringe on the
rights of others.

Common Good
Definition: Everyone should work
together for the good of all, sometimes
people should give up some personal
freedoms for the good of a larger
group.

Common Good
The right to decide for yourself is
not always allowed.
Societies need rules to live in a
safe way.
United States citizens vote for
government representatives who
make laws to protect us from doing
foolish things.

Common Good
Often times, laws for the Common Good take
individual rights away to protect the public.
Ex: restrictions placed upon private property
usage (zoning laws)
Ex: no smoking in restaurants (new law March 1)
Ex: no smoking on school property

Common Good
Provides for safety and security

Provides for the common defense

Promotes domestic tranquility (peace

and harmony at home) by having laws
that promote equality and justice for
all.

Justice
Definition: All people should be treated fairly.
No group should be favored.

Equality
Definition: Everyone should get the
same treatment regardless of where
they are from, their race, religion, or
wealth.

Diversity
Definition: America is a mixture of
different cultures blended together with
equal liberties under the law.

Truth
Definition: The government and citizens of
the United States should not lie.

Popular Sovereignty
Definition: The Power of the
Government comes from the people.

Patriotism
Definition: Citizens should show
respect and loyalty to our country and
the core democratic values.

Rule of Law
Definition: Everyone, including
government officials, must obey the
law.

Public Policy Issue #1

Topic: School Uniforms
Should students wear school uniforms?
1. State your opinion and restate the question.

I feel that students should or should not be required to

wear school uniforms.

2. Use a CDV to make an argument that

SUPPORTS your position

The CDV of liberty allows for freedom to choose what

clothes students wear to school.

3. Write one or more additional sentences that

SUPPORT your position.

Public Policy Issue #2

Topic: School Rules

Should schools have rules?
1. State your opinion and restate the
question.

I believe that schools should/should not

have rules.

2. Use a CDV to make an argument that

SUPPORTS your position
3. Write one or more additional sentences
that SUPPORT your position.