The document provides an agenda and notes for a class on the US Constitution. It includes: 1) An introduction to the Constitution including why it is structured the way it is and key principles like federalism and separation of powers. 2) Details on the 3 branches of government and their powers as outlined in the Constitution. 3) Information on constitutional amendments including the process for amending and some that were proposed but failed. 4) Class activities like a debate on the Equal Rights Amendment and a scavenger hunt to find details in the Constitution.

1. Good Day! DRAW A LINE SEPARATING TODAY & YESTERDAY 1) Write: Date: 09/02/09 , Topic: Constitution Intro 2) On the next line, write “ Opener #7 ” and then: 1) Plot your mood, reflect in 1 sent . 2) Respond to the opener by writing at least 3 sentences about : Your opinions/thoughts OR/AND Questions sparked by the clip OR/AND Summary of the clip OR/AND Other things going on in the news. Announcements: None Intro Music: Untitled

2. Work #7a , Title “ Opener Shareout ” Pick 1 thing from your opener to share with your partner. 1) Each of you sign your name in your partner’s workbook under 1) to verified you’ve shared.

4. Agenda 1) Constitution Introduction Essential Question 1) Why is our constitution structured the way it is? Reminder 1) Find & complete your 4 news pods

5. Participation ( 10 points a week ) Negative Mark: Minus 2 Points Each 0 Check: 6 Points 1 Check: 7 Points 2 Checks: 8 Points 3 Checks: 9 Points 4 Checks: 10 Points 5 Checks: 11 Points (+1 EC) 6 Checks: 12 Points (+2 EC) 7 Checks: 13 Points (+3 EC) 8 Checks: 14 Points (+4 EC)

6. Review 1) States Come First : Colonies (states) experienced close to 200 years of separate freedom before joining the USA. 2) Federalism : Splitting, overlapping, and conflicting power between the state and federal (national) gov (federal technically means split gov, now refers to national gov) 3) History of US Federalism : States had more power > then equal in the 1800s > 1900s Federal became supreme (recently state wins some).

7. Notes #7a , Title: “ Constitution Notes ” 1) Constitutional Gov : US one of few societies with strong belief in rule of law . 2) US Constitution (1788) : Social contract ratified by ppl conventions (representative vote), 9/13. China: Article 35. Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration. US: 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 grievanc

9. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.“ From Article 2 of the US Constitution

10. "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States” -US Code

11. Notes #7a , Title: “ Constitution Notes ” 3) US Constitution Characteristics: a) Republican demo (representative) b) Federalism (national/state share power) c) Separation of Powers (legis, exec, jud) Secret Sauce (not written but expected) d) Common Good/Virtue: We have no king to keep us together, so we must have the character to make experiment work.

12. Constitutional Structure and Amendment : Article 1: Congress/Legislature (House + Senate) Article 2: President/Executive (President + Implied Bureaucracy) Article 3: Federal Courts/Judiciary (US Courts) Article 4: State Limits Article 5: Amendment Process: 2/3 of Congress > 3/4 States 2/3 of States > 3/4 States (never used) Article 6: National Supremacy (when granted) Article 7: Ratification Process Amendments: First 10 (Bill of Rights) 27 Amendments Total So Far

13. CONSTITUTIONAL CHECKS AND BALANCES: Article 1: Congress/Legislature (House + Senate) Makes the laws Article 2: President/Executive (President + Implied Bureaucracy) Executes the laws Article 3: Federal Courts/Judiciary (US Courts) Interprets the laws

14. Notes #7a , Title: “ Constitution Notes ” 4) Constitution 1: Legislature (S + H) 2: Executive (President) 3: Judicial (SC, CC, DC) Bureaucracy

15. Notes #7a , Title: “ Constitution Notes ” 5) Federalism in the Constitution : FEDERAL gov can ONLY do what the Constitution says. Make laws on very specific list of things. STATE government can do (make laws on) ANYTHING except when forbidden by the US Constitution . Parenting Analogy: USA: You can only go to the library. STATE: You can go anywhere except the bar.

17. Power of Taxing and Spending : Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1. It gives the Congress the power to tax and spend. NPC lets Congress make new laws to do raise money to pay for something it wants. Mandates Review: If when the Fed demands the state to do something. If the state refuses, the Fed will deny it money. (States can refuse to obey and lose the money).

18. Interstate Commerce Clause (ICC) : Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3. It gives the Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce (commerce between states). NPC lets Congress make new laws to raise money to pay for something it wants. ICC is Fed’s most useful tool! NPC Review: NPC by itself has NO power. Congress has to prove the new law is connected to 1-17 like 3 (ICC), then the NPC lets them make it.

19. President’s Listed Powers, Article 2 1) The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States , and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States 2) Power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. 3) He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties , provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States.

20. Federal Court’s Listed Powers, Article 3 The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution , the laws of the United States…to controversies between two or more states … the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions , and under such regulations as the Congress shall make . (Judicial Review: Most vague of the listed powers for the branches, courts interpreted themselves to have the power of review)

21. Amendments, Article 5 The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States , shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourth Framers thought amendments would happen more often that it does (US: 27 CA: 500)

22. Past Amendments Proposed but Failed 1876: Abolish the Senate 1878: Replace the President with a Council of 3 1893: Abolish the Military 1914: Make divorce illegal 1916: Declare war through voting, and have those who vote yes to register for military service 1933: Limit personal wealth to $1 million 1971: To declare citizens have a right to a clean environment

23. Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

24. Work #7b , “ Equal Rights Amendment Debate ” “ Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” 1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write which you choose and explain why . 2) Then write down what your partner thinks ( include their name at the end ). 1 2 3 4 5 CON: Reject ERA 1) Civil rights laws already protect women 2) Some things should not be equal access, like military service (combat) PRO: Add ERA 1) Adding constitution ensures women rights 2) There is no reason for anything not to be equal

25. 35 states which ratified the ERA rescinded their

26. Future Amendments Being Discussed 1) Flag Burning Amendment : Ban flag burning (Fed Courts say we have a 1 st Amendment right to burn flags) 2) Marriage Amendment : Define marriage as between a man and a woman. (Fed courts have refused to decide yet) 3) Arnold Amendment : Let non US born citizens run for president. 4) End the Electoral College Amendment : Let voters directly choose the president.

27. Work #7c , Title “ Constitution Video ” 1) Copy Source Title: Annenberg 2…) Discuss questions on the board with a partner. Summarize your discussion ( include their name at the end ). Remember participation points are deducted if off task. 5 Reading/Film Qs Come From These Work Sections

28. Work #7d , Title “ Constitution Scavenger Hunt ” With your groups, find the answer and where in article, section, & clause can I find each: 1) Age requirement to run for Congress (House)? 2) How to amend (change) Constitution? 3) How judges are selected? 4) How laws are passed? 5) Current age to vote (citizens)? 6) Who can declare war? 7) Who has power over revenue (taxes)? 8) Right to freedom of speech and religion 9) Right to be treated equally by fed govt 10) Right to be treated equally by state govts 5 Reading/Film Qs Come From These Work Sections

29. Workbook peer check: Have your partner look at your notebook to see if the formatting is correct, get their signature under Work#5a

30. Homework: 1) Study today’s notes + work sections for a possible workbook quiz . 2) Pick and listen to your 4 news podcast by next Monday.