Omar Bennett
The US Constitution is a foundational document that outlines the country's core principles and beliefs. It is a set of rules that the US government and its citizens must follow. The Constitution is also a source of guidance for schools, which are responsible for educating future generations of Americans. Students are taught the six or seven big ideas contained in the Constitution, including limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty. They learn about the significance of these principles and how they are reflected in the framework of the US government. Students also study primary sources and political cartoons to understand how the Constitution is applied in practice and how it relates to current political issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Limited government | The government has only the powers granted to it in the Constitution, and it can only conduct actions permitted by the Constitution |
| Republicanism | A system of government in the United States based on the concept of popular sovereignty and put into practice by the constitutional institutions and processes of representative government |
| Checks and balances | The Constitution keeps the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) separate, with each branch overseeing the others |
| Federalism | Power is shared between the national and state governments |
| Separation of powers | The powers and responsibilities of each branch of government are described in separate Articles, with each branch being equal to the others |
| Popular sovereignty | The government is made by the people and exists to represent, protect, and serve them |
| Individual rights | Citizens have basic rights, freedoms, and liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
Students analyse the text of the Constitution
Students can analyse the text of the US Constitution in a variety of ways. They can start by familiarising themselves with the "Six Big Ideas" contained in the document. These are:
- Limited government
- Republicanism
- Checks and balances
- Federalism
- Separation of powers
- Popular sovereignty
Students can then examine primary sources to identify their relationship to these central ideas. They can also debate the core constitutional principles as they relate to today's political issues. For example, they can study how the principle of limited government is manifested in the language of the Constitution, and how it is reflected in political cartoons.
Students can also analyse the text of the Constitution by determining the number of words contained in each Article and the percentage of the whole document that each Article represents. They can then visually represent these percentages through a map, using different colours for each of the Articles and the Preamble. This can lead to a class discussion on which topics received the most attention in the Constitution.
Additionally, students can study the Founders themselves to understand the government they created. They can explore the relationships between the Founding Fathers by creating a Founders' Social Network. This can involve assigning a Founder to each student, allowing them to fill out a profile and browse other profiles to determine who would likely be "friends" with their assigned Founder. This exercise can provide insight into the personal relationships that influenced the creation of the Constitution.
Finally, students can delve into specific clauses within the Constitution, such as the Preamble, which stresses that the government is made by the people and exists to represent, protect, and serve them. They can also explore how the Constitution addresses specific issues, such as the right to vote in congressional elections, the establishment of congressional districts, and the protection of individual rights, such as the Fourth Amendment's limitations on police investigating a crime.
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Students learn about the Founding Fathers
Students can learn about the Founding Fathers of the United States Constitution in a variety of ways. Firstly, they can study the historical context and the key figures involved in the creation of the document. This includes understanding the colonial era, the Revolutionary War, and the early government of the United States. Students can also learn about the Founding Fathers by examining their biographies, exploring their relationships, and analysing the impact of their personal beliefs and experiences on the Constitution.
The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. They were the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and certain military personnel who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Many of them were wealthy slave owners before and after the country's founding, and nearly half of them were slaveholders. The Founding Fathers are often viewed as a single entity, but they had differing views on issues such as the role of the federal government and slavery.
Some of the key Founding Fathers include George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the nation's first president. Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton also served as the first four presidents. John Jay was the first chief justice, and Franklin was America's senior diplomat during the Revolutionary War. Roger Sherman is also notable as the only Founder to sign all four major founding documents.
Students can deepen their understanding of the Founding Fathers by studying primary sources, such as the text of the Constitution, political cartoons, and historical documents. They can analyse the "Six Big Ideas" or seven basic principles reflected in the Constitution, such as limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, and popular sovereignty. By understanding these principles, students can grasp how the Founding Fathers' beliefs and experiences shaped the framework of the US government.
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Students learn about the six big ideas
- Limited government
- Republicanism
- Checks and balances
- Federalism
- Separation of powers
- Popular sovereignty
Firstly, students are encouraged to analyse the text of the Constitution in a variety of ways. They are asked to identify specific examples of the six big ideas in action. They also study the number of words contained in each Article of the Constitution and the percentage of the whole document that each Article represents. This is done to determine how much attention was given to each structure or power.
Secondly, students examine primary sources to identify their relationship to the central ideas of the Constitution. They also study the Founders themselves, creating a Founders' Social Network to understand the relationships between the Founding Fathers and how these influenced the Constitution.
Thirdly, students debate the core constitutional principles and how they relate to today's political issues. They also analyse political cartoons to reinforce their understanding of the major principles of government embodied in the Constitution.
Finally, students are encouraged to reflect on their learning and give feedback to their teachers. This helps to advance their historical and civic knowledge and connect it to their communities.
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Students learn about the seven principles
The seven principles are:
- Limited government: The government has only the powers granted to it in the Constitution, and it can only conduct actions permitted by the Constitution.
- Republicanism or representative government: A system of government in the United States based on the concept of popular sovereignty and put into practice by the constitutional institutions and processes of representative government.
- Checks and balances: The Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
- Federalism: A system of constitutional government in which power is divided between the state and federal governments, with authority balanced between them.
- Separation of powers: The Constitution keeps the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) separate, with each branch having its own powers and responsibilities.
- Popular sovereignty: The Preamble to the Constitution stresses that the government is made by the people and exists to represent, protect, and serve them.
- Individual rights: Citizens have basic rights, freedoms, and liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, and no laws can be passed to take away those rights.
Students analyze the text of the Constitution, examine primary sources, and debate the core constitutional principles to understand how these seven principles are reflected in the US government. They also study the Founding Fathers and their relationships to understand the context in which the Constitution was created.
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Students learn about the framework of the US government
The Founding Fathers established a foundation for government based on seven principles, which work together to protect individual rights and liberties, while having a strong central government that can work for the good of the nation. These principles are:
- The people give the government its power.
- Power begins with the citizens, who can exercise that power to make decisions that affect their lives and those of other Americans.
- For citizens to make wise decisions, they should stay informed about the issues and vote.
- The Founding Fathers wanted people to have a voice in the government, but they did not want public opinion to interfere with good governance.
- The national leaders are bound by the Constitution and national law.
- Citizens have basic rights, freedoms, and liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
- No laws can be passed to take away those rights.
Students also learn about the framework of the US government by studying the relationships between the Founding Fathers. They might, for example, create a "Founders' Social Network" by completing a profile and likes section for a Founder, and then browsing other profiles to determine who would be "friends" with their assigned Founder. This helps students understand the personal relationships between the Founders and how those relationships influenced the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is based on seven principles: limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights.
Schools use a variety of methods to teach students about the principles of the US Constitution, including the study of primary sources, analysis of political cartoons, and group discussions.
Understanding the US Constitution is crucial for students to comprehend how the US government works and to appreciate the rights and liberties it guarantees.
Students may participate in a Constitution Scavenger Hunt with Political Cartoons, where they analyze political cartoons to understand the structure and content of the Constitution. They may also engage in group discussions, debates, and critical thinking exercises.
Yes, there are several online resources available, such as the Constitution 101 Curriculum by the Constitution Center, which offers videos, activities, and assessments. Exploros also provides a free lesson on the principles of the American government.
