The Preamble:Words We Live By

Discussions & Activity with the Preamble and Article I of the

Constitution

Importance of the Preamble

• What is a Preamble?• How many goals are in the Preamble?• Define:

– Domestic tranquility– Posterity– General welfare

• Do activity #1.

Which is the most important??

e, the People of the United States of America, 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.

1. Circle the word you feel is most important. 2. Explain your choice. 3. Underline the 6 goals of the Preamble. 4. Give the USA a letter grade on achieving that goal. 5. Explain your grades for each.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30OyU4O80i4

e, the People of the United States of America, 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.

1. Circle the word you feel is most important. 2. Explain your choice. 3. Underline the 6 goals of the Preamble. 4. Give the USA a letter grade on achieving that goal.

Activity #2

• Read the passage independently.• Listen as I read the passage. Notice emphasis.• As the questions on the next slide appear,

make annotations on the text to answer them.

Questions to Annotate• What is (and isn’t) the meaning of “popular sovereignty”?

Why does Monk claim that this is the form of government in America?

• Is Lucy Stone confused when she asks “Which „We the People‟?” Why does Monk say this question has “troubled the nation”?

• What does the phrase “founding fathers” mean? Why does Marshall think the founding fathers could not have imagined a female or black Supreme Court Justice?

• What evidence is there in this paragraph regarding • Marshall’s claim about the “evolving nature of the

constitution”? Let’s jump in and study the Constitution!!

Article IWhat branch of government is established by Article I?What is the term & requirements for members of the HOR?How many members are there currently in the House?How many Senators are there from each state?What is their term and requirements?Who is the presiding officer of Senate? When do they vote?In which house of Congress must all tax bills begin?Read Article I, Section 8, Clause 18. Why is it called the “elastic clause?”Define: “bill of attainder” “ex post facto” &“writ of habeas corpus”

Assignment

• Start key word list. Explain purpose.• Complete Articles 2-7 study by tomorrow.