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1. When was the Constitution written?

2. What is the Constitution or what does it describe?

3. Why do you think the founding fathers wrote the Constitution?

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1. In the Preamble, what is the importance of the beginning words, "We the people..."?

2. How did the Constitution change how people thought about power?

3. What are some of the reasonings for the creation of the Constitution and the Preamble?

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The Preamble to the Constitution | US Government and Politics | Khan Academy

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Play and interact with this game (for 10-15 minutes) to answer the following questions.

1. What are the three branches of government?

2. Is it important for each of the three branches to communicate with one another?

3. Why do you think there is separation of powers in the government?

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Do your students like running things? The new version of Branches of Power allows them to do something that no one else can: control all three branches of the U.S. government.

In Branches of Power your students will:

Pick leaders for each branch of government

Create a presidential agenda and learn about the executive branch powers

Introduce bills and pass laws out of Congress

Apply judicial review to passed laws

For English and Multilingual Learners: Use the support tool, Spanish translation, voiceover and glossary.

Branches of Power and its Extension Pack are correlated according to WIDA's methodology using the WIDA PRIME V2 Inventory. To see how these materials best meet your EL/ML students' needs, click here. (Note: PRIME stands for Protocol for Review of Instructional Materials for ELs/MLs.)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Simulate the way separation of powers and checks and balances limit government

Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Illustrate the law making process at the local, state, and federal levels

This Game is included in the following units:

Related Resources

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Do your students like running things? The new version of Branches of Power allows them to do something that no one else can: control all three branches of the U.S. government.

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1. Based on the picture, what do you think federalism is?

2. What are two points you found to be important under the 'National' responsibilities? Under the 'State' responsibilities?

3. Why do you think the state and national government share some responsibilities?

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1. What are checks and balances?

2. What is one way the executive branch can "check" another branch?

3. What is one way the legislative branch can "check" another branch?

4. What is one way the judicial branch can "check" another branch?

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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.

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Welcome, Mrs. Parker's 8th grade class! In this virtual lesson, you will explore the principles and purposes of government, and you will research the United States Constitution. Begin by reading the standard and directions stickies, then follow the instructions to complete the assignment.

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Read all directions before beginning the assignment. Find and gather your materials. You will need:

1 piece of paper

1 pencil

1. Scroll left to find the Explore stickies.

2. Begin each sticky by clicking the URL or viewing the picture/document.

3. After exploring the content in the sticky, answer the questions on your piece of paper.

4. When you are finished answering each question, you may check your responses by scrolling to find the Answers sticky.

5. Correct any misunderstandings you may have on your paper.

6. Like the Introduction tab so that I know you have followed all directions and have completed the assignment.

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8.23
Examine the principles and purposes of government articulated in the Preamble and principles stated in the Constitution, including:

the separation of powers

federalism

checks and balances

(T.C.A. § 49-6-1028).

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Explore 1:

1. It was written in 1787.

2. The Constitution is the set of laws and principles to govern the United States of America.

3. Potential Answer: They wanted to send a statement to England about how they were ignoring the authority of those in Europe and forming their own nation.

Explore 2:

1. The importance of "We the people," is that it signifies that power belongs to the people and not to the government.

2. There was a shift in perception of power because people no longer expected a king or a or a ruler to be in total control, or sovereign, over an entire nation.

3. Some of the reasons for establishing the Constitution were to establish justice, provide defense, and ensure that liberty reigned.

Explore 3:

1. The three branches of government in the United States are the Executive, the Judicial, and the Legislative branches.

2. It is important for each branch to communicate with one another because bills (laws) cannot be passed without the approval of each branch.

3. Potential Answer: The separation of powers is important because it ensures that not too much power or control goes to one specific area of the government. Each part is equal.

Explore 4:

1. Potential Answer: Federalism divides powers between the government.

2. National: foreign policies and declaring war ; State: schools and public safety

3. Potential Answer: The national and state governments share some responsibilities so that one part of the government does not hold too much power.

Explore 5:

1. Each branch has "checks" on it from the other branches that are meant to keep the branch from becoming too powerful.

2. Executive: The president can check the Congress by vetoing a bill.

3. Legislative: The Congress can check the power of the president through impeachment where the Congress votes to have the president removed from office.

4. Judicial: The Supreme Court can check the president by declaring executive orders as unconstitutional.

Explore 6:

1. The Constitutional Convention was held to amend the inefficient Articles of Confederation that had served as the preliminary Constitution.

2. The Father of the Constitution was James Madison because of his significant contributions to the convention in which he suggested three governmental subdivisions.

3. 39 delegates signed the new Constitution.

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6. Explore the Constitutional Convention

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6. Explore the Constitutional Convention

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1. What was the reason the constitutional Convention was held?

2. Who is known as the Father of the Constitution and why?

3. How many delegates signed the new Constitution?

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The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was a conference held in Philadelphia in which state delegates met to frame the United States Constitution. The purpose of the convention was to amend the inefficient Articles of Confederation that had served as the preliminary constitution for the United States since 1781.