MIX AND MATCH-PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
Learning Objective: The student will
A. Identify examples of the Seven Principles of the U.S. Constitution
TEKS:
8.15 D; GOVT. 7 D
Materials Needed: 1 set of the cards (principle, example, definition) cut apart
Teaching Strategy:
1. Run a copy of the cards and cut them apart. It will be beneficial if the
principles are printed on one color, the definitions on one color, and the
examples on a third color. There are seven principle and definition cards.
Each principle has three example cards.
2. Post the 7 principle cards around the room.
3. Divide the class into group of four and give them one of the definition cards.
As a group they are to decide which principle the definition fits and post it by
the principle.
4. Next, pass out the example cards to the students. There are 21 cards (three
examples per principle), so if the class is larger than 21, pair the students up.
When the student thinks they have matched the example with the correct
principle and definition, they are to post it beside the two cards.
(NOTE: Some of the examples appear to go with more than one principle.
Tell the students that they should look for the BEST match, without reading
into the example. Let the students defend their reasoning if it is different than
the organization given in the key at the end of the activity.
5. After all seven principles are correctly matched; each group should explain
their principle, definition, and example to the class. At this time, an extension
might be for the class to brainstorm other examples of the principle besides
the ones used by the class.
GT/AP Extension: Have students create a collage of pictures illustrating the seven
principles of the Constitution in action.
Example Card Key:
Limited Government:
Individual Rights
Republicanism
Federalism
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
Popular Sovereignty
1, 20, 21
2, 4, 19
3, 5, 18
7, 14, 16
8, 10, 13
9, 11, 12
6, 15, 17
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TRANSPARENCY
Example Card Key
Limited Government:
Individual Rights:
Republicanism:
Federalism:
Checks and Balances:
Separation of Powers:
Popular Sovereignty:
1, 20, 21
2, 4, 19
3, 5, 18
7, 14, 16
8, 10, 13
9, 11, 12
6, 15, 17
PRINCIPLES
Limited
Government
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
Separation of
Power
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
Republicanism
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
Checks and
Balances
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
Federalism
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
Popular
Sovereignty
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
Individual
Rights
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES
1
The Constitution
prohibits a religious test
for any public official.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
2
A person cannot be held
in jail indefinitely without
being informed of the
charges.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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3
The members of the
House are elected based
on the states’
population.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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Personal and political
rights such as free
speech, press, religion,
and the right of privacy
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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4
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5
The President and VicePresident are indirectly
elected by the Electoral
College.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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Amendments 15, 19, &
26 extend the right to
vote to ex-slaves,
women & 18 year olds.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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6
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All levels of government
can tax its citizens to
provide services.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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7
The judicial branch can
interpret treaties and
declare laws of
Congress or actions of
the President
unconstitutional.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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8
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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The legislative branch
consists of the House
and the Senate with the
function to make the
laws.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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9
10
The Legislative Branch
can
—Override presidential
vetoes with 2/3 vote
(House and Senate)
—Approve presidential
appointments and
treaties (Senate only)
—Impeach president for
misconduct (House only)
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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11
The Supreme Court
interprets or explains the
law.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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12
The President and VicePresident carry out the
laws.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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13
The President can
—Veto laws
—Propose a law and the
budget
—Appoint judges
—Grant pardons
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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The Constitution
reserves powers to the
state to hold national
elections and establish
their own public
education system.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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14
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The Preamble of the
Constitution begins with
“We The People” to
illustrate the ultimate
authority.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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15
16
The national government
is the only government
that declares war, coins
money and regulates
interstate and foreign
trade.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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17 Amendment
provides for direct
election of the Senators
by the people.
th
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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17
Elections for national
office are held on a
schedule set by the
Constitution.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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18
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19
Rights of a person
accused of a crime such
as trial by jury, right to
counsel, due process
and no cruel and
unusual punishment
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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The President is
restricted to no more
than ten years in office.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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20
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21
The Constitution is
written with clearly
defined powers and also
clearly defined
restrictions.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
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Ultimate power and
final authority rest with
the people or all the
citizens.
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
Power is divided between
a central government and
the state governmentssome powers are
concurrent and held by
both levels of government
(the power to tax) and
some powers are denied
to both (tax an export).
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
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DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
Government is restricted
by the rule of law (the
Constitution and the laws
created under its
provisions)-the
government is not allpowerful.
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
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Constitutional
provisions that give
controls over the other
two from getting too
much power.
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
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DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
Constitutional separation
of power into three
branches: legislative-the
power to make laws;
executive-the power to
execute the laws; and
judicial-the power to
explain and interpret the
laws.
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
Personal freedoms,
personal protections, and
equality under the law are
defined and guaranteed
in the Constitution, Bill of
Rights, and all of the law.
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
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DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
A system of
government where
representatives are
elected by and serve
at the will of the
people.
Government is based
on the consent of the
governed.
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
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DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS