The Seven Principles of the Constitution

This 14-page lesson, "The Seven Principles of the Constitution," is designed to introduce students in grades 6-11 to the foundational principles of the Constitution and our system of government. In this lesson, students will identify and explain the seven principles of the Constitution, read a text and determine the key information in the text for note-taking, and work collaboratively to complete this assignment. They will learn the terms popular sovereignty, republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, limited government, and individual rights.

This lesson is part of my unit: “Our Living Consitution” which is designed using the Into, Through, and Beyond model of lesson planning. The lessons in the Constitution unit can be used independently or as a supplement to what you already teach or as a whole. 

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

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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? (not included in Our Living Constitution)

• Lesson 11: Major and Minor Political Parties (not included in Our Living Constitution)

• Lesson 12: A Brief History of Who Can Vote in the United States (not included in Our Living Constitution)

• Lesson 13: The Nuts and Bolts of the United States Presidential Election (not included in Our Living Constitution)

Beyond Lessons: Summative Assessments

• The Consitution is a Living Document (not included in Our Living Constitution)

• The Bill of Rights Explained Project: A Project to Assess Knowledge and Understanding (not included in Our Living Constitution)

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