Educating Young People about the Constitution

Being An American Lesson 2: The United States Constitution

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The United States Constitution

Critical Engagement Question What are the purposes of our national government? Objectives Examine the purposes of the seven Articles of the Constitution. Understand the purposes for the national government set forth in the Preamble. Analyze how the structure of the US government is designed to protect individual liberties and freedom. Evaluate ways that the US government fulfills its purposes today.
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James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution

The United States Constitution

Background/Homework Read and complete Handout A: Why Do We Have a National Government? Brainstorm a list of five reasons a national government is necessary focusing on what functions it should serve; and what services it should provide.

White HouseNorth Lawn (front lawn) Washington D.C.

The United States Constitution

Warm-Up Share your responses from Handout A. Agree on a list of ten responses. Create general categories on the board which will describe the ten responses. Distribute a copy of the Preamble [Appendix B] and discuss the following questions as a large group: Do the purposes listed match those of the Preamble? Does it matter whether the purposes of government were stated using simple words, or more formal ones? Have the purposes of government changed since the Constitution was written in 1787?

First page of the Secretarys Record of Votes on the U.S. Constitution

The United States Constitution

Warm-Up continued Brainstorm connections between the concepts of government contained in the Preamble with those contained within the Declaration of Independence.

Painting by Junius Brutus Stearns of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, 1787

Activity

The United States Constitution

Review the phrases of the Preamble of the Constitution on the Preamble Posters page. 1) Take one phrase and write it across the top of the poster/on the board. 2) Then create 4 columns with the following headings: In Your Own Words, Example, Non-Example, and Picture.
1) 2) In Your Own Words

Insure Domestic Tranquility

Example Non-Example Picture

The United States Constitution

Activity continued 3) Write your answers for each column at the bottom of the poster.

4) When finished, cover up your answers by folding the bottom of the poster over your answers and taping it securely to the poster.
Insure Domestic Tranquility

In Your Own Words

Example

Non-Example

Picture

3) Write Your Answers Here

Write Your Answers Here

Write Your Answers Here

Write Your Answers Here

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The United States Constitution

Activity continued 5) Move to the next poster. 6) At the next poster, fill out each column directly above the covered portion. 7) Repeat for all posters.
Insure Domestic Tranquility

In Your Own Words

3rd Group Write 7) Answers Here 2nd Group Write 6) Answers Here Write Your Answers Here

Example

Non-Example

Picture

3rd Group Write Answers Here 2nd Group Write Answers Here Write Your Answers Here

3rd Group Write Answers Here 2nd Group Write Answers Here Write Your Answers Here

3rd Group Write Answers Here 2nd Group Write Answers Here Write Your Answers Here

The United States Constitution

Activity continued Once everyone has had a chance to answer every Preamble phrase, each person/group should take one poster and determine the best answers for each column. Share your best responses with the class. Then rank the Preamble phrases in order of importance; most important being #1 and least important being #7. Discuss the following question: If the Preamble is the promise of what good government should be, how did the Framers of the Constitution make that promise a reality?

The Preamble of the United States Constitution as license plates. Smithsonian Art Museum.
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The United States Constitution

Wrap-Up

Review the content of each of the seven articles in Appendix B: The United States Constitution. Create a collage of newspaper or website headlines, photographs, or articles that define or illustrate the purposes of government as established in the Constitution. Discuss your responses

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The United States Constitution

Homework Write an essay responding to the question: What fundamental beliefs (i.e. limited government, etc.) about government are reflected in the United States Constitution? Extensions Complete Handout B: Government Around the World by picking another country and answering all the prompts on Handout B. Answer the Critical Thinking questions at the end of Handout B.
National Flags by J.H. Colton
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