Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 103
Beliefs and Values Scenarios
You just found out you will be the leader of one of the following places. Read each scenario and determine
which place you would most like to lead. Rank each scenario based on the following scale: 1 (favorite) to 4
(least favorite).
Scenario 1: I am the ruler of Zar and I make all of the laws and rules. I have absolute power over the
citizens of Zar.
Scenario 2: I am a member of the central government of Sashowa. The central government has control
over planning, producing, and distributing goods. In my land, there is an equitable distribution of labor
and property among the citizens.
Scenario 3: I am the princess of Lowry Land. One day I will be Queen of Lowry Land where I will rule
until I die just as my father before me. My authority is somewhat limited by the Lowry Land Charter.
Scenario 4: I am the elected leader of A-Town. A-Town operates by the guidelines of the Document
of A-Town. Elected officials representing the voices of the citizens of A-Town determine many of the
decisions made in A-Town.
Beliefs and Values Scenarios
You just found out you will be the leader of one of the following places. Read each scenario and determine
which place you would most like to lead. Rank each scenario based on the following scale: 1 (favorite) to 4
(least favorite).
Scenario 1: I am the ruler of Zar and I make all of the laws and rules. I have absolute power over the
citizens of Zar.
Scenario 2: I am a member of the central government of Sashowa. The central government has control
over planning, producing, and distributing goods. In my land, there is an equitable distribution of labor
and property among the citizens.
Scenario 3: I am the princess of Lowry Land. One day I will be Queen of Lowry Land where I will rule
until I die just as my father before me. My authority is somewhat limited by the Lowry Land Charter.
Scenario 4: I am the elected leader of A-Town. A-Town operates by the guidelines of the Document
of A-Town. Elected officials representing the voices of the citizens of A-Town determine many of the
decisions made in A-Town.
5Es OVER TEXAS SOCIAL STUDIES STAAR® PREPARATION, GRADE 7
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Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 104
Principles of Government
Principle of
Government
Description
Visual
Representation
Limited Government
Republicanism
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Popular Sovereignty
Individual Rights
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Real-World
Example
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 105
Principles of Government Answer Key
Principle of
Government
Description
Visual
Representation
Real-World
Example
Limited Government
Answers may include
the Constitution spells
out what powers the
federal and state
governments have and
what individual rights
are protected. It also
lists what government
cannot do.
Student answers
will depend on their
individual perceptions.
Accept all reasonable
responses.
Republicanism
Answers may include
that the writers of the
Constitution believed
that public service was
a temporary position;
someone elected to
office should work on
behalf of the people
who elected them, but
then, after a reasonable
amount of time, the
elected official should
return to private life.
Representing the
electorate and serving
a limited amount of time
are part of the concept
of republicanism.
Student answers
will depend on their
individual perceptions.
Accept all reasonable
responses.
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Page 1 of 3
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 105 continued
Checks and Balances
Answers may include
that the system was
established to keep any
one person or group
from gaining control
of the government
and abusing their
power. One branch
of government can
stop another branch
from taking over
the government or
becoming too powerful.
Student answers
will depend on their
individual perceptions.
Accept all reasonable
responses.
Federalism
Answers may include
a system of shared
powers between federal
and state governments.
The system gives
some power to state
governments and
some to the federal
government. Some
powers are specifically
denied to either
the federal or state
governments.
Student answers
will depend on their
individual perceptions.
Accept all reasonable
responses.
Separation of Powers
Answers may include a
system of government
with three branches:
executive, legislative,
and judicial. Each
of the branches has
different jobs specific
to that branch that the
other two do not have.
The purpose of this
structure is to keep
any one branch from
being in charge. The
three branches cannot
work independently of
each other because no
one branch has all the
power.
Student answers
will depend on their
individual perceptions.
Accept all reasonable
responses.
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Page 2 of 3
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 105 continued
Popular Sovereignty
Answers may include
that the term popular
sovereignty literally
means “the people
rule.” This means
people have a say in
government. Although
every person does not
vote on every single
proposal made by the
government, we do
have the opportunity to
vote for those who will
represent us. These
representatives make
decisions for us. If
they do not meet our
expectations, we can
vote them out of office
in the next election.
Student answers
will depend on their
individual perceptions.
Accept all reasonable
responses.
Individual Rights
Answers may include
that individual rights
mean the rights
of citizens are
protected. The Bill
of Rights is included
in the Constitution to
ensure the rights of
citizens. Just because
something is not
specifically listed as
an individual right in
the Constitution does
not mean it is denied.
The government
cannot take away the
“unalienable rights . . .
[of] life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.”
Student answers
will depend on their
individual perceptions.
Accept all reasonable
responses.
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Page 3 of 3
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of
grievances.
Preamble
We the People of the United States
Article 1 SEC. 19.
No citizen of this State shall be
deprived of life, liberty, property,
privileges or immunities, or in any
manner disfranchised, except by the
due course of the law of the land.
Preamble
. . . the people of the State of Texas
..
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Article 3 Section 1
The judicial Power of the United
States, shall be . . .
Article 2 Section 1
Article 1 Section 8
The powers of the government of the The Congress shall have the Power
State of Texas shall be divided into
to . . .
three distinct departments. . .
Article 2 Section 2
He shall have Power . . .
U.S. Constitution
Texas Constitution
Use available resources to complete the graphic organizer below.
Principle of
Government
How It Is Reflected
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 106
Texas and U.S. Constitutions’ Principles of Government
Page 1 of 2
Article 1 Section 7
. . . if approved by two thirds of that
House, it shall become a Law.
Article 2 Section 1
The executive power shall be vested
in a President of the United States
of America. He shall hold his office
during the Term of four years.
Amendment 9
The enumeration in the Constitution,
of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
Article 3 Section 4
The members of the House of
Representatives shall be chosen by
the qualified electors, and their term
of office shall be two years from the
day of their election.
Article 1 Section 2
All political power is inherent in the
people . . .
Amendment 10
The Powers not delegated to the
United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it to the States, are
reserved to the States . . .
Article 1 Section 8
The Congress shall have Power to
declare War
...
U.S. Constitution
Article 4 Section 11
In all criminal cases except treason
and impeachment, he shall have
power, after conviction, to grant
reprieves, commutations of
punishment and pardons.
Article 3 Section 55
The Legislature shall have no
power to release or extinguish,
or to authorize the releasing or
extinguishing, in whole or in part, the
indebtedness, liability or obligation
of any incorporation or individual to
this State, or to any county, or other
municipal corporation therein.
Article 3 Section 56
The Legislature shall not, except
as otherwise provided in this
Constitution . . . pass any local or
special law authorizing:
regulating labor, trade, mining and
manufacturing . . .
Texas Constitution
Principle of
Government
How It Is Reflected
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 106 continued
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Page 2 of 2
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of
grievances.
Preamble
We the People of the United States
Article 1 SEC. 19.
No citizen of this State shall be
deprived of life, liberty, property,
privileges or immunities, or in any
manner disfranchised, except by the
due course of the law of the land.
Preamble
. . . the people of the State of Texas
..
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Article 3 Section 1
The judicial Power of the United
States, shall be . . .
Article 2 Section 1
Article 1 Section 8
The powers of the government of the The Congress shall have the Power
State of Texas shall be divided into
to . . .
three distinct departments. . .
Article 2 Section 2
He shall have Power . . .
U.S. Constitution
Texas Constitution
Separation of
Powers
Popular
Sovereignty
Individual Rights
Principle of
Government
Answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
How It Is Reflected
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 107
Texas and U.S. Constitutions’ Principles of Government Answer Key
Page 1 of 2
Article 1 Section 7
. . . if approved by two thirds of that
House, it shall become a Law.
Article 2 Section 1
The executive Power shall be vested
in a President of the United States
of America. He shall hold his Office
during the Term of four Years . . .
Amendment 9
The enumeration in the Constitution,
of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
Article 3 Section 4
The members of the House of
Representatives shall be chosen by
the qualified electors, and their term
of office shall be two years from the
day of their election.
Article 1 Section 2
All political power is inherent in the
people . . .
Amendment 10
The Powers not delegated to the
United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it to the States, are
reserved to the States . . .
Article 1 Section 8
The Congress shall have Power to
declare War
...
U.S. Constitution
Article 4 Section 11
In all criminal cases except treason
and impeachment, he shall have
power, after conviction, to grant
reprieves, commutations of
punishment and pardons.
Article 3 Section 55
The Legislature shall have no
power to release or extinguish,
or to authorize the releasing or
extinguishing, in whole or in part, the
indebtedness, liability or obligation
of any incorporation or individual to
this State, or to any county, or other
municipal corporation therein.
Article 3 Section 56
The Legislature shall not, except
as otherwise provided in this
Constitution . . . pass any local or
special law authorizing:
regulating labor, trade, mining and
manufacturing . . .
Texas Constitution
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Limited
Government
Republicanism
Checks and
Balances
Federalism
Principle of
Government
Answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
How It Is Reflected
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 107 continued
Page 2 of 2
Rights of the individual are protected.
Amendment IV
United States
Constitution
Rights of the individual are protected.
Amendment IV
Texas Constitution
Use available resources to complete the graphic organizer below. The first one has been done for you.
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 108
Categorizing the Texas and U.S. Constitutions
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Governor is
the head of
government
but has limited
powers.
The Bill of
Rights appears
in the first
Article.
Established
three branches
of government.
Texas Constitution
Rights of the
individual are
protected.
Amendment IV
Possible Answer Key:
Declaratory tone
warns citizens of
the dangers of
state and national
government. Article
I, Section 1; Article
I Section 2; Article I
Section 3
United States
Constitution
Rights of the
individual are
protected.
Amendment IV
Established
three branches
of government.
President is
the head of
government
but has limited
powers.
The Bill of Rights
appears at
the end of the
document.
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 109
Categorizing the Texas and U.S. Constitutions Answer Key
Texas Constitution
United States
Constitution
Use the Venn diagram below to compare and contrast the Texas Constitution with the United States
Constitution. What you record in each section will be based on the resources you read and the information you
recorded on the Categorizing the Texas and United States Constitutions worksheet.
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
Comparing the Texas and U.S. Constitutions
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RM 110
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 111
Lesson 24 Evaluate
1
Principles of the Texas Constitution
Grant Pardons
Override Veto
Declare Laws
Unconstitutional
Which principle of the Texas Constitution best explains the diagram above?
2
A
Individual rights
B
Checks and balances
C
Separation of powers
D
Federalism
The U.S. Constitution states that both the national and state governments share power. How is this
principle of government addressed in the Texas Constitution?
A
Federalism
B
Popular sovereignty
C
Individual rights
D
Separation of powers
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Page 1 of 3
Reporting Category 3
3
Legislative
“The Congress shall
have Power to lay and
collect Taxes, Duties,
Imposts and Excises,
to pay the Debts and
provide for the common
Defense and General
Welfare of the United
States . . . ”
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 111 continued
Judicial
“In all Cases affecting
Ambassadors, other
public Ministers and
Consuls, and those in
which a State shall be
Party, the Supreme
Court shall have
original Jurisdiction.”
Executive
“Commander and Chief
of the Army and Navy
of the United States,
and of the Militia of the
several States…”
Which principle from the U.S. Constitution is expressed above?
A
Federalism
B
Popular sovereignty
C
Separation of powers
D
Limited government
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Page 2 of 3
Reporting Category 3
Lesson 24: The Texas Constitution
RM 111 continued
4
The graphic above is an example of—
A
Federalism
B
Popular sovereignty
C
Separation of powers
D
Limited government
Performance Assessment
You are writing catch phrases for the Texas Constitution that reflect the principles of government. Your catch
phrases should be based on the seven principles of government: limited government, republicanism, checks
and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights. Write a catch
phrase for each principle to identify its role in the Texas Constitution.
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Page 3 of 3