Standard 4.41 Lesson
Susan Sudberry
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Printed: March 15, 2016
AUTHOR
Susan Sudberry
www.ck12.org
C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Standard 4.41 Lesson
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Standard 4.41 Lesson
4.41 Describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including:
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purposes of government listed in the Preamble
separation of powers
check and balances
the amendment process
principle of judicial review
recognition of and protection of individual rights in the 1st Amendment
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Purposes in Government Listed in the Preamble
The Preamble tells the purpose of the Constitution. It is one really long sentence! In that sentence, six goals for
personal freedoms are listed. The Preamble starts with “we the people”.....so that it is clear that the people hold the
power of government and not a king!
Let’s sing it again!!! Learn the Preamble by singing along! It’s the best!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIKhRERqPS4
From the website Constitution For Kids, the preamble is broken down into very understandable sections. The
Preamble is an introduction to a very important document!
http://const4kids.forums.commonground13.us/?p=19
Separation of Powers, Branches of Government, and Checks and Balances
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/branchesofgovernment/
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Chapter 1. Standard 4.41 Lesson
The Constitutional Convention lasted from May to September of 1787. The delegates had worked hard and they
were all ready to go home. By the end of the convention, only 39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution.
Writing a workable plan of government - the Constitution - was a challenge. The new plan did create a strong central
government, but its power was limited and some of the power and decisions that the government had to make was
given to the states to make.
Our federal government in Washington D.C. - our president and representatives - does make decisions for our country
BUT our Tennessee government in Nashville - our governor and state representatives - make decisions for our state.
Both our federal (Washington D.C.) and state (Nashville) governments are divided into three separate branches - the
Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial. Each branch has its own separate jobs and they can’t do any of the jobs
that has been assigned to the other branches.
Now its time to visit Mr. Nussbaum.
http://mrnussbaum.com/government/ . Use his site to read about his
interpretation of the three branches of government - and checks and balances!
The Executive Branch - the President (and helpers!).
They enforce the laws.
http://mrnussbaum.com/government/executive_branch/
The Legislative Branch - the Congress
They create the laws.
http://mrnussbaum.com/government/legislative_branch/
The Judicial Branch - the Courts
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/supremecourt/
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/billofrights/
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They interpret the laws and tell us what the laws really mean.
http://mrnussbaum.com/government/legislative_branch/
Really!! I suppose this cartoon is right!
YouTube again...Schoolhouse Rock - 3 Ring Circus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5M50xBz1cU
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Chapter 1. Standard 4.41 Lesson
This diagram shows the three branches of government and the people are a part of each branch. It even shows
the “houses” that each branch works in. All three of these “houses” are in Washington D.C. because our national
government is there.
This chart writes out how each branch can “check” the other branches. This keeps one branch from becoming too
powerful. Each branch can “check,” which means stop, the actions that aren’t correct from the other branches.
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Ratifying the Constitution
You can even test yourself with Mr. Nussbaum’s interactive quiz!!
http://mrnussbaum.com/constitution/constintscav/
After the writing and the signing was done, the Constitution had to be ratified - or approved - by at least 9 of the 13
states for the Constitution to become the “law” of the United States government. Copies were everywhere and people
read it and talked about it. Some people loved the new Constitution and some were not so sure. It was very different
from the Articles of Confederation. Americans were split into two groups - the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
The Federalists supported the Constitution while the Anti-Federalists did not. The Anti-Federalists thought that the
Constitution didn’t give some very important rights to “the people.” That is the reason that the first 10 amendments
- changes - to the Constitution were added. James Madison made a promise that these would be added to protect the
rights of all people in our country.
Lets review with Mr. Rupert!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXopINJmxkE
...and when you memorize the Preamble. . . .do a better job than Barney Fife!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5d3haRG7M
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