The 7 Principles of the Constitution- Text, Discussion, Case Studies

The Seven Principles of the Constitution serve as the bedrock of our democratic system, guiding how our government operates and ensuring that power is balanced, rights are protected, and the voices of the people are heard. This 27-page resource, The Seven Principles of the Constitution- Text, Notetaker, Discussion, Case Studies, gives your students opportunities to critically think about how these principles appear in our history and in current events. Perfect as an introduction to the Constitution, students will read a text, answer questions, and then apply what they learned by reading and analyzing 7 case studies to determine which principle is at play. Your students will be engaged as they have lively conversations about the case studies, which include the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, book banning, an Arizona Senate bill, the Watergate Scandal, the Electoral College and the 2016 election, the bombing of Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War, and the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Understanding these principles is crucial because they not only shaped the creation of our government but also continue to influence our lives today. As students explore concepts like popular sovereignty, republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, limited government, and individual rights, they will consider their historical context, their relevance in modern governance, and how they safeguard against tyranny.

Resources included in this lesson:

-- a detailed lesson plan with objectives and learning targets aligned to the Common Core Standards for Reading in History

-- Road Signs Vocabulary Chart: Understanding Key Terms Related to the Constitution

-- The Seven Principles of the Constitution reading

-- Student worksheet for taking notes and answering questions

-- Answer Key

--7 Case Studies and graphic organizer with a key.

You might be interested in my other Constitution-related lessons, many of which can be found in my bundle: Our Living Constitution.

Check out my store: Intentional Teaching and Learning

Here are the links:

Into Lessons: Creating Schema

• Lesson 1: Overview of the Constitution of the United States of America

• Lesson 2: Origins of the Constitution and Essential Terms

• Lesson 3: The Seven Principles of the Constitution

Through Lessons: Learning the Content

• Lesson 4: The Preamble: The Goals of the Constitution (not included in Our Living Constitution)

• Lesson 5: The Three Branches of  Government: Articles 1, 2, and 3

• Lesson 6: How a Bill Becomes a Law

• Lesson 7: Federalism, Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances

• Lesson 8: Articles 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the United States Constitution

• Lesson 9: The Bill of Rights Unit (and a Little About Amendments 11-27)

Extras (from the Unit: Every Four Years… The Presidential Election)

• Lesson 10: What Are Your Political Viewpoints?

• Lesson 11: Major and Minor Political Parties

• Lesson 12: A Brief History of Who Can Vote in the United States

• Lesson 13: The Nuts and Bolts of the United States Presidential Election

Beyond Lessons: Summative Assessments

• The Constitution is a Living Document

• The Bill of Rights Explained Project: A Project to Assess Knowledge and Understanding