Name:
Date:
Chp. 4: The Constitution
Period:
Notes
Chp. 4: The Constitution
1
Objectives about The Constitution
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution of the United States by
a)
identifying the purposes for government stated in the Preamble;
b) examining the fundamental principles upon which the Constitution of the United States is
based, including the rule of law, consent of the governed, limited government, separation of
powers, and federalism;
c)
illustrating the structure of the national government outlined in Article I, Article II, and Article
III;
d) describing the amendment process.
What are the Seven Guiding Principles of the Constitution?
I.
Popular Sovereignty
II. Limited Government
III. Separation of Powers–Checks and Balances
Notes
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IV. The Rule of Law
V. Judicial Review
VI. Federalism
VII. Individual Rights
Basic Structure of the Constitution
I.
Preamble
Illustrated Preamble
Directions: Write the Preamble to the Constitution on the lines provided. Then, using the rest of the space on the page, illustrate at
least three of the goals listed in the Preamble.
Notes
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II. Articles
1.
Article I –
2.
Article II –
3.
Article III –
4.
Article IV – explains t
5.
Article V –
6.
Article VI –
7.
Article VII –
III. Amendments
1.
2.
Notes
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The Amendments
I.
Bill of Rights
1.
First Amendment –
a.
limitations on the first amendment



2.
Second Amendment –
3.
Third Amendment –
4.
Fourth Amendment –
5.
Fifth Amendment –
6.
Sixth Amendment –
7.
Seventh Amendment –
8.
Eighth Amendment –
9.
Ninth Amendment –
10. Tenth Amendment –
Directions: Create an illustration/picture that represents the freedoms offered in the first eight amendments
in the Bill of Rights.
Amendment Picture
Amendment Picture
1st
5th
2nd
6th
3rd
7th
4th
8th
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II. Strengthening the New Government
11. Eleventh Amendment (1795) –
12. Twelfth Amendment (1804) –
III. Civil War Amendments (Extending Rights to African Americans)
13. Thirteenth Amendment (1865) –
14. Fourteenth Amendment (1868) –
15. Fifteenth Amendment (1870) –
III. Twentieth Century Amendments (Reforms, Governance, and Voting Rights)
16. Sixteenth Amendment (1913) –
17. Seventeenth Amendment (1913) –
18. Eighteenth Amendment (1919) –
19. Nineteenth Amendment (1920) –
20. Twentieth Amendment (1933) –
21. Twenty-First Amendment (1933) –
22. Twenty-Second Amendment (1951) –
23. Twenty-Third Amendment (1961) –
24. Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964) –
25. Twenty-Fifth Amendment (1967) –
26. Twenty-Sixth Amendment (1971) –
27. Twenty-Seventh Amendment (1992) –
Interpreting the Constitution
I.
Strict Construction: Looking at the Text
II. Loose Construction: Adapting the Constitution to Today
Notes
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The framers developed the U.S. Constitution more than 200 years ago with the hope that it would remain
relevant and effective for future generations. One way they sought to accomplish that was through the
provisions of Article V, which spell out how the Constitution can be changed. In recent years, Congress has
fielded many proposals for changes to the Constitution, including the following:
 Requiring the federal government to balance the national budget
 Restricting the amount of money that can be spent during national electoral campaigns
 Abolishing the Electoral College and having the president and vice president elected by popular vote
 Lowering the age restriction for public offices such as senator and representative
 Repealing the Twenty-second Amendment, which sets presidential term limits
 Guaranteeing all citizens access to quality health care
If you had the opportunity to change the Constitution in one way in order to improve it, what would you
propose? In a short paragraph, explain your proposal and discuss why you think the Constitution will be a
stronger, better document with this change.
Notes
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Glossary Chp. 4
Directions: Fill in the definition for the term listed. Then, in the box on the right, you have to draw a picture OR
write the definition in your own words OR write a sentence using the word that demonstrates its meeting.
Due Process
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Federalism
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Popular Sovereignty
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Impeach
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Judicial Review
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Slander
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Libel
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
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Summary
DIRECTIONS: Choose only one of the following:
a) write a summary (25-75 words) of what you believe was the most important aspect of the notes/lecture
b) write what you believe to be the most interesting or memorable part of the notes/lecture (25-75 words)
c) draw something that symbolizes the notes/lecture to you (has to be different than your title page)
Notes
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