Lesson 1: Constitutionalism: The Legal Essence of the United States
Activity 1.2: Following the Written Rules...Mostly
For the government and its leaders, staying within the boundaries set by the Constitution is similar to this maze that has no dead-ends.
Like the maze displayed above, the Constitution shows the American people how to proceed in government matters. The Constitution and the maze also provide many different options to get from one point to another by staying within the set boundaries. However, like people completing a maze, American politicians and judges are often tempted to create shortcuts in order to bypass the boundaries set by the framers of the Constitution. The maze has no written rules or procedures to support the legal creation of a shortcut, yet the Constitution provides for the need to change or amend its text to account for changing national needs through its major principles. In this lesson, you will analyze the the meaning and expression of the Six Principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Benchmark 9.1.2.3.1:
Analyze how constitutionalism preserves fundamental societal values, protects individual freedoms and rights, promotes the general welfare, and responds to changing circumstances and beliefs by defining and limiting the powers of government.
Learning Target:
I can...analyze the the meaning and expression of the Six Principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Essential Question:
How are the the Six Principles of the U.S. Constitution expressed within the document?
To complete Activity 1.2 please follow the steps below:
STEP 1
A principle is a general or basic rule that is meant to be followed. In this activity you will be gathering information to explain each of the Six Principles of the Constitution. You will be utilizing this chart to organize your thinking.
STEP 2
Describe the following Six Principles of the Constitution using the provided links. In addition to your description provide an image that you believe best portrays the meaning of the principle using a Google Image
Search. All of this information should be placed on this chart.
Watch the Six Principles of the Constitution Video to begin your research. It would be a good idea to take notes on the video using the chart. Additional information on each of the principles is provided below.
Limited Government (Constitutionalism)
STEP 3
Using Locations of Principles in Constitution, fill in the corresponding section of your chart. Now that you have a specific location of the each principle, find one excerpt of text from the Constitution that exemplifies the specified principle. Note: Locations of Principles in Constitution provides 7 Principles rather than 6. People have different interpretations of the Constitution and that is a good thing. For your purposes stick with 6.
STEP 4
On your chart, respond to this lesson’s essential question: How are the the Six Principles of the U.S. Constitution expressed within the document?
STEP 5
Upload your work to the add submission box. Be sure to include your name on the document.
o Open document to your computer
o Complete the assignment
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