Citizenship, Constitution & Courts
Topics addressed:
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U.S. Naturalization Test
The U.S. Constitution
The Role of Judges
Judicial Selection
Resources for keeping informed
Time needed: 30 minutes
Overview: This activity will celebrate the 229th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day by examining
the United States Constitution and the role of the judiciary.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to –
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Answer questions on the U.S. Naturalization Test
Identify the main parts of the U.S. Constitution
Discuss the role of the judiciary
Differentiate between judges and other elected officials
Group Size: This presentation is suited for both small and large audiences
Materials needed:
● Citizenship, Constitution & the Courts PowerPoint
● Handout A: Can you pass the test?
● Optional Handouts
Equipment: Computer for PowerPoint, projector and screen. Contact your event coordinator. Bring web-based materials on a flash
drive and handouts for distribution.
Preparation:
Review presenter’s guide of “What to Do and Not to Do”
Review and become familiar with the PowerPoint and handouts
Print the PowerPoint in notes view so there is access to presenter notes
Make copies of handouts to distribute.
Getting Started:
Distribute Handout A: Can you pass the test? prior to the audience arriving. As the audience enters, instruct them to complete the 10question quiz individually. After 5 minutes, use the PowerPoint (as well as presenter notes on the printed PowerPoint notes) to debrief
the activity by asking where the questions for this quiz come from. Explain that these are questions from the U.S. Naturalization Test.
The following slides will provide the answers to the questions.
Briefly discuss the answers to the questions on the citizenship test. The presentation will include slides about studies conducted by
Xavier University regarding the lack of civic knowledge in the United States. Explain to the audience that among our roles, rights,
responsibilities, and duties as citizens is to be informed and active participants in our American democracy.
Highlight the parts of the U.S. Constitution using the presentation. Briefly discuss Article III of the Constitution about the judicial
branch. The PowerPoint will continue to highlight the role of the judicial branch, the role of judges, how judges are selected both at
the federal and state levels, and how judges are different from other elected officials. While the presentation emphasizes the U.S.
Constitution, the courts and selection processes at the state level are also addressed in the presentation and in the PowerPoint notes.
Presenters may add additional substantive content pertaining to state-specific details.
Explain the resources available through the Informed Voters Project and state-specific handouts.
Handout A
Can You Pass the Test?
Directions: Complete the test below.
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. What does the Constitution do?
3. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
4. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
5. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
6. What is the Rule of Law?
7. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
8. What does the judicial branch do?
9. When was the Constitution written?
10. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
Can You Pass the Test?
Directions: Complete the test below.
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. What does the Constitution do?
3. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
4. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
5. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
6. What is the Rule of Law?
7. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
8. What does the judicial branch do?
9. When was the Constitution written?
10. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.