This document provides an overview of key concepts related to the U.S. Constitution, including federalism, the system of checks and balances, the amendment process, judicial review, and the elastic clause. It defines federalism as a dual system that divides power between the federal and state governments. It also explains that checks and balances and the separation of powers limit each branch of government's authority. Additionally, it outlines the amendment process and how the Constitution remains flexible through judicial review and the elastic clause.

2. "Today I am an inquisitor” A Tribute to Barbara Jordan 1936-1996 Congresswoman - Educator - Constitutionalist

3. "Earlier today we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States, We the people . It is a very eloquent beginning. But when that document was completed, on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that We, the people . I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision I have finally been included in We, the people.

4. Popular Sovereignty The principle that the people are the source of power – found in the Preamble

5. The Constitution limits the power of the federal govt. How??? By listing the specific powers of each branch of govt. and Separating the govt. into 3 branches – this is called… Limited Govt.

6. States that the Constitution is the supreme (highest) law of the land Article VI Supremacy

7. A system of government that divides power between the State governments and the Federal govt. Federalism

8. Federalism A dual form of govt. the divides power Federal Govt. State Govt.

9. Federalism

10. Federalism Cake Federal Govt State Govt Amendment #10 Concurrent Powers

11. Article V –outlines the procedure for AMDENDING the Constitution The Amendment Process

12. Flexibility The Constitution has been able to change with the times: The Elastic Clause The Amendment Process Judicial Review

13. The Elastic Clause Article I, Section 2, Paragraph 18 “ Congress has the power to pass laws that are necessary and proper…”

14. Judicial Review

15. Judicial Review The power of the Courts to declare laws unconstitutional- interpret whether the law is “constitutional”

17. Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch The Congress makes the laws The President enforces the laws The courts interpret the laws

18. Checks and Balances Each branch of government has certain powers to limit or check the powers of the other two

19. Separation of Powers Powers are divided among three branches of govt.

20. Checks and Balances

21. Separation of Powers Powers are divided among three branches of govt.

22. Delegated/Enumerated Powers Powers specifically granted to congress Article I, Sec 8, Paragraph 1-18

26. Group I : SWBA understand the term Federalism and how it works Group II: SWBA understand how the system of checks and balances limits the power of each branch of govt. Group II: SWBA understand how the amendment process works and how often it occurs Group IV SWBA understand the importance of Judicial Review Group V: SWBA how the elastic clause gives the Constitution flexibility

27. High Court Bans School Segregation; 9-to-0 Decision Grants Time to Comply 1896 Ruling Upset 'Separate but Equal' Doctrine Held Out of Place in Education; High Court Bans Public Pupil Bias New York Times, May 17, 1954

28. The U.S. Constitution The Living Constitution Constitutional Principles The Federalism cake Checks an balances diagram Powers of the president

34. Federalism

35. The U.S. Constitution

36. Checks and Balances