1. Chapter 3

2. Part A
“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”

3. Part B
• The main body of the Constitution is made up of seven articles.
• The Articles explain how the government works.
• They also carefully describe the rules for electing government officials,
like Senators and the President.
Legislative
Branch
lawmakers
Congress: House of
Representative
And the Senate
Executive
Branch
The President.
Brings the laws
Into action. Notice the
word “execute” which
means bring to action
Judicial
Branch
Supreme Court Justices
They ensure the laws are
following the Constitution.
Fairness of laws.

4. Article II
Article III
Which branch of
government? What’s the
role of this branch?
Which branch of
government? What’s the
role of this branch?
Which branch of
government? What’s the
role of this branch? States and federal
government
The rights a citizen has in one state
will be respected in all states.

5. Describes how to make
changes to the
Constitution by making
“Amendments”.
Requires Congress a 2/3
vote to suggest the
amendment. Then
states review-requires ¾
of the state legislatures
to approve.
Declares the
Constitution the
supreme, or highest, law
of the land. All
government officials
swear under oath to
support and obey the
Constitution.
Tells how Constitution
will be ratified
(approved). When there
were 13 states, at least
nine had to approve the
Constitution.

6. REVIEW
Describes what? How
many votes to suggest an
amendment? How many
states to approve?
Declares what about the Tells what about the
Constitution?
Constitution?

7. The first 10 amendments are called the Bill
of Rights
Freedom of religion, speech, press, expression, assembly and petition the
government for redress of grievances.

8. The right to bear arms

9. Protects people from having to let
soldiers stay in their homes.
People in authority cannot enter and
search private homes. No search and
seizures allowed without a special court
order.
In 1967 the Supreme Court ruled that
people are protected from listening
devices.

10. Write on a piece of paper what the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Amendments are to
the best of your ability. Feel free to refer to the previous slides.
First
Second
Third
Fourth

11. Have you heard the term “plead the
fifth?” It’s when you have the right to
remain silent. Due process of law
means, you cannot have your life or
liberty taken away without going
through speaking your case before a
grand jury!
Copy and paste into
browser and watch video
http://vimeo.com/26161403
Vocabulary word: indict means to accuse or charge with a crime,
usually done by a grand jury.

12. Please answer the following:
1. Were you given a chance to give your side of the
story?
2. Was there someone who listened who was not
directly involved in the situation?
3. Were you given a chance to defend yourself and
have witnesses to support you?

13. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
be told of the crime of which he or
she is accused
speedy public trial before a fair
jury
have a lawyer
Have wtnesses to tell your side of
the case
hear and question the witnesses

14. This addresses civil lawsuits, which means lawsuits
between people that does not involve a crime. These
lawsuits have to do with disputes between two or
more parties. The value disputed cannot be more
than 20 dollars, otherwise the trial goes before a jury.
Deals with bails, fines, and punishment. The judge sets a bail or
fine for breaking the law. The accused can pay the bail as a deposit
to stay out of jail while waiting for trial. The worse the crime, the
higher the cost of bail. The money is returned when the trial
begins. This amendment also protects people from torture.

15. “The enumeration in the Constitution, of
certain rights, shall not be construed to
deny or disparage others retained by the
people.”
“The powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited
by it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.”