# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Schoolhouse Rock! "The Preamble" to the Constitution, music by Lynn Ahrens

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Main content

The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution (Archives.gov). It clearly communicates the intentions of the framers and the purpose of the document. The preamble is an introduction to the highest law of the land; it is not the law. It does not define government powers or individual rights.

Establish Justice is the first of five objectives outlined in the 52-word paragraph that the Framers drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787. They found a way to agree on the following basic principles:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

In this video, designed to guide group recitations of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, the words are supported by visuals and background music that give it emotional impact as it sets out the aspirations that "We the People" have for our government and for our way of life as a nation.

Promises of the Preamble

High school journalists share what the promises of the preamble to the Constitution mean to them. This video can be used as an inspirational element in a courtroom, classroom, or community program. It also can serve as an effective discussion starter to stimulate conversation about the Constitution.

DISCLAIMER: These resources are created by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for educational purposes only. They may not reflect the current state of the law, and are not intended to provide legal advice, guidance on litigation, or commentary on any pending case or legislation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution. It is an introduction to the highest law of the land; it is not the law. It communicates the intentions of the framers and purpose of the document.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The House of Representatives plays an important role in the United States Government. Its job was given by the Founding Fathers of the United States during the Philadelphia Convention in May of 1787 when our current Government was created.

The Three Branches of Government

The signing of the Constitution Oil on Canvas, Howard Chandler Christy, 1940, Architect of the Capitol

During the Philadelphia Convention, it was decided that the United States Government should have three branches. The three branches would keep each other balanced so that one branch did not become too powerful. All Americans have equal and fair representation through the three branches:

1. Legislative: The Congress
The legislative branch makes the laws of the United States, controls all of the money, and has the power to declare war.

2. Executive: The President and Vice President
The executive branch enforces the laws of the United States, spends money as allowed by Congress, declares states of emergency, appoints Judges to the Supreme Court, and grants pardons for crimes.

3. Judicial: The Supreme Court
The judicial branch interprets laws, judges when a law is unconstitutional, and makes arrangements for prisoners.

To be sure that one branch does not become more powerful than the others, the Government has a system called checks and balances. Through this system, each branch is given power to check on the other two branches. The President has the power to veto a bill sent from Congress, which would stop it from becoming a law. Congress has the power to impeach Supreme Court Judges or Presidents. The Supreme Court has the power to overturn a law that they believe is unconstitutional.

The Legislative Branch

Congress meets at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress have offices in buildings that are attached to the Capitol and visit the Capitol for meetings and legislative sessions. See if you can help A.Bill get from his office to the Capitol to vote on a law by trying the Capitol Maze!

During the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, participants from large states wanted the number of representatives in Congress based on the number of citizens in the state-so the more citizens the more representatives. Participants from small states were worried they would have no power and wanted an equal number of representatives from each state. To be sure everyone had equal representation and power it was decided that the Congress would have two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The two houses work together to pass laws.

The Senate

The Senate has 100 members-2 Senators from each state, regardless of its size. Senators serve 6 year terms and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.

The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives has 435 voting Members, five Delegates, and one Resident Commissioner. Members and Delegates each serve a two year term while Resident Commissioners serve for four years. The number of Representatives from each state is based on the state's population. Each state has at least one Representative.

By separating the two branches of Congress, Americans are guaranteed equal representation. The houses work together to pass laws that are then enforced by the Executive Branch and overseen by the Judicial Branch.

The House of Representatives is full of traditions and artifacts. You can see what the oldest artifact-the coin silver inkstand-looks like by printing out the Relic Connect the Dots!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids in the House, Grade School - The Role of the House, Learn how the House works with the Senate, President, and Supreme Court to run the United States.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Branches of Government | Lesson Plan | Education.com | Lesson plan | Education.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teach your students about the people who decide which laws to pass. Activate the critical thinking skills of your students by having them decide the laws that they would like to modify!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Exploring Federalist 51: Separation of Powers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The separation of powers is a basic principle of government in many countries around the world. It means that the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government are divided among separate and independent branches. Under this system no one branch of government is in a position to become too powerful.

The concept of the separation of powers can be traced to ancient theories of mixed government. Plato, Aristotle, and Thucydides were among the philosophers and historians who wrote that an ideal regime would combine ideas from different types of government. The Greek historian Polybius described the government of the Roman Republic as an example. He noted that Rome's mixed government combined elements of monarchy (represented by the consul), aristocracy (the Senate), and democracy (the people).

Wellcome Library, London (no. V0003673)

The separation of powers doctrine emerged in the works of English political writers in the 17th century. At that time England was experiencing a power struggle between the king and Parliament that led to civil war. Amid this turmoil, political thinkers saw the division of authority as a way to prevent abuses of power. In his Two Treatises of Government, published in 1689, John Locke argued that legislative power should be divided between the king and Parliament.

© Everett Historical/Shutterstock.com

The events in England inspired Montesquieu, a French political philosopher of the 18th century. In his book The Spirit of Laws (1748), he argued that the best way to protect liberty is to divide a government's power between executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Montesquieu's work was very influential. This was especially true in the United States, where his ideas strongly inspired the Constitution. The U.S. Constitution created three independent branches of government and divided authority between them. It also outlined a system of checks and balances to prevent any of the branches from gaining too much power. (For the text of the Constitution, click here.)

Like Montesquieu before them, the framers of the U.S. Constitution became highly influential in their own right. Their view of the separation of powers inspired the writers of constitutions in the 19th and 20th centuries.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The separation of powers is a basic principle of government in many countries around the world. It means that the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government are divided among separate and independent branches. Under this system no one branch of government is in a position to become too powerful.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Checks and Balances for Kids | Three Branches of Government | Checks and Balances Explained

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the checks and balances of the three branches of the United States government including the separation of powers of Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Checks and Balances - Teacher-Created Lesson Plan | Common Sense Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Check out this lesson from a classroom teacher who uses Common Sense Education. It's part of a huge library of lessons that span grades K-12 and every school subject.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Bill of Rights for Kids | U.S. Constitution Amendments

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
History for kids - Free history network for kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bill of Rights Simplified for Kids On March 4, 1789, America officially adopted the United States Constitution, which established the U.S. as a free nation governed by the people. The Constitution explains the country’s legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, defining the roles of the following: Congress Senate House of Representatives President Vice President Supreme Court

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This portion of the lesson will be direct instruction. The teacher will explain each amendment from the Bill of Rights.

*I typically do this with a PowerPoint presentation. I include relivant political cartoons to accompany each amendment. This becomes a lesson where conversations take place between myself and the students as many questions are asked and answered.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Bill of Rights and You - Teacher-Created Lesson Plan | Common Sense Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This portion of the lesson will be direct instruction. The teacher will explain each amendment from the Bill of Rights. *I typically do this with a PowerPoint presentation. I include relivant political cartoons to accompany each amendment. This becomes a lesson where conversations take place between myself and the students as many questions are asked and answered.