U. S. CONSTITUTION PROJECT 100 points U.S. History DUE: You will be creating a portfolio of assignments centered on the U. S. Constitution. We will be analyzing the Constitution as a written document and as a piece of history. Your assignments will be both written and creative, as you examine and reflect on the contents of the Constitution. The following assignments are included in the project: 1) Cover Page title, illustration, full heading 2) Preamble Interpretation Collage your interpretation of the preamble and pictures to represent each of its goals. 3) Constitution Book an illustrative summary book of the Constitution s contents, including the preamble, 7 articles of Constitution, and amendments 4) Separation of Powers Diagram triangular visual representation of the powers of the 3 branches of government and the checks & balances system 5) How a Bill Becomes a Law Book visual representation of the steps to a bill becoming a law 6) Amendment Illustrations paraphrases and illustrations of 8 of the amendments
Name: Period: U. S. CONSTITUTION PROJECT 100 points U.S. History DUE: Criteria for grading: Points You Teacher Cover Page Title/Picture/Heading 10 Neat, colorful, original, eye-catching! Preamble Interpretation Collage 10 Neat, colorful, 6 pictures, your own words Constitution Book 20 Neat, 9 detailed pages with colorful pictures Separation of Powers Triangle 20 Neat, colorful, title, 3 pictures, detailed How a Bill Becomes a Law Book 20 Neat, colorful, 6 steps & pictures, creative cover Amendment Project 8 amendments 20 Number/Paraphrase/Picture, neat, colorful (*Extra Credit 2 points each extra amendment) TOTAL: 100 GRADE: A B C D F
Example of Preamble Interpretation Collage:
DIRECTIONS: Create your very own Constitution book using the Structure of the Constitution note sheet. Your book should include a creative cover and contain the following 9 pages: Preamble Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 Article 5 Article 6 Article 7 Amendments Each page should include: 1. Title 2. Descriptive Details! 3. Colorful Picture (see example below)
The Constitution is divided into several parts. It begins with a preamble, or an introduction. This preamble explains the reasons the Constitution was adopted. The main body of the Constitution is made up of seven major parts called articles. The articles are further divided into smaller parts called sections and clauses. The first three articles of the Constitution describe the organization and powers of the three branches of the federal government. ARTICLE I describes the legislative branch, or the branch that makes the laws. This branch includes Congress which has 2 houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. ARTICLE II describes the executive branch, or the branch that carries out the laws. The President and Vice President are part of this branch. ARTICLE III describes the judicial branch, or the branch that interprets the laws. In this branch, the Supreme Court and other federal courts decide whether laws have been broken or not. The last four articles of the Constitution explain how the powers of government are to be shared by the federal government, the states, and the people. ARTICLE IV is mostly about the relationship among the states. For example, states are required to respect each other s laws. ARTICLE V explains how Congress, with the consent of 2/3 of both houses, can change or amend the Constitution. ARTICLE VI makes clear that federal laws and treaties are the supreme laws of the land. ARTICLE VII explains how the Constitution was to be ratified, or approved. Finally, changes made to the Constitution after 1789 are called amendments. These are at the end of the document. There are presently 27 amendments, which make changes in or additions to the original Constitution. The first 10 amendments are the basic American freedoms, called the Bill of Rights.
Directions: On your diagram, include each branch s 1) leader(s), 2) job, 3) picture(s), and 4) checks on other branches (using arrows).
Example:
Name: How A Bill Becomes a Law 1. A bill is in the or House of Representatives and sent to a committee. 2. The House or Senate and on its version. 3. The House and Senate the final version of the bill. 4. The bill is sent to the to be into a law. OR 5. The President (refuses to sign) it and sends it back to. 6. Congress veto if each house passes the bill again by a vote. (Now, write each step and draw a picture on each page of your mini-book.)
OR How a Bill Becomes a Law ANSWER KEY 1. A bill is introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives and sent to a committee. 2. The House or Senate debates and votes on its version. 3. The House and Senate approve the final version of the bill. 4. The bill is sent to the President to be signed into a law. 5. The President vetoes (refuses to sign) it and sends it back to Congress. 6. Congress overrides veto if each house passes the bill again by a 2/3 vote.
Amendment Illustrations There are 27 amendments, or changes, in the U.S. Constitution. You will paraphrase (put into your own words) and illustrate your choice of eight of these amendments. You will place two amendments on each page of your project (see example below). Each page must have: 1) Number of amendment 2) Paraphrase (your own words) of amendment 3) Picture of amendment s meaning You may use images from newspapers, magazines, clip art, or your own original art. The example below shows one part of the First Amendment. Obviously you need to choose one of the other rights guaranteed by the Constitution for the First Amendment Have fun! AMENDMENT 1 Individuals have the right to gather peacefully. AMENDMENT 5
Name: Paraphrasing the Amendments Use your copy of the Amendments, which includes the Bill of Rights, or the first 10 amendments. Choose 8 of the amendments to paraphrase (put into your own words) and illustrate (draw a picture or use clip art) to put into your Constitution Project. You may do more than 8 for extra credit. Start by choosing one freedom in Amendment 1. (Choose only one of the five freedoms for Amendment 1)