Master Plan Slides The Master Plan
Building the Foundations of America:
PROJECT: DEMOCRACY
The Purpose
FILE #001: FOUNDATIONS
Imagine a game with no rules. What would happen?
Confusion and chaos
Unfair treatment
No safety or protection
Government is the Rulebook
It establishes order and protects the rights of all citizens.
The Blueprint
"We the People..."
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It was written in 1787 to create a stronger national government while protecting individual freedoms.
The Preamble
The introduction (The Goals)
The Articles
The structure (The Branches)
Amendments
The updates (The Rights)
Mission Objectives
From the Preamble of the Constitution
1
Establish Justice
Make sure laws are fair for everyone.
2
Insure Domestic Tranquility
Keep peace and order within our borders.
3
Provide Common Defense
Protect the country from outside threats.
4
Promote General Welfare
Help citizens live healthy and happy lives.
WHO HAS THE POWER? THE PEOPLE!
Blueprint Basics Worksheet Blueprint Basics
Mission: Foundations of Government
Agent Name:
Date:
The Purpose of Rules
In your own words, why do we need a "rulebook" or a government for our country? What might happen if we didn't have one?
Decoding the Preamble
Match the goal from the Preamble to its real-world meaning.
1. Establish Justice
A. Protecting the country from threats.
2. Domestic Tranquility
B. Making sure laws are fair for everyone.
3. Common Defense
C. Keeping peace and order at home.
4. General Welfare
D. Helping citizens live happy, healthy lives.
The Power Source
"We the People of the United States..."
The first three words of the Constitution are the most important. Why do you think the founders started with "We the People" instead of "The King" or "The President"?
Goal in Action
Choose ONE of the goals from Section 2. Draw a quick picture showing what that goal looks like in real life today (Example: Police officers keeping peace, a park for health, etc.).
Government Guide Handout Government Guide
A Reference Sheet for 4th Grade Power Players
The Three Branches
Legislative
Article I
The Law Makers
Main Job:
Writes and votes on laws.
Who is it?
The Senate (100)
House of Reps (435)
Executive
Article II
The Law Enforcers
Main Job:
Signs, carries out, and enforces laws.
Who is it?
The President
The Vice President
The Cabinet
Judicial
Article III
The Law Interpreters
Main Job:
Explains and interprets what laws mean.
Who is it?
Supreme Court
Other Federal Courts
The 3 Levels
1
National (Federal)
2
State (Illinois)
3
Local (City/Town)
Quick Check
Checks & Balances
A "Check" is like a whistle blown by a referee. One branch can tell another branch, "Hey, you can't do that!" This keeps the power balanced fairly across all three parts.
Project Democracy: Building a Stronger Nation Together. Reference Guide #G-101.
Law Makers Slides The Law Makers
The Legislative Branch:
ARTICLE I: THE POWER TO WRITE
A Divided House
SESSION #002: LEGISLATIVE
The Senate
100 Members Total
2 per state (Equal)
6-year terms
House of Reps
435 Members Total
Based on Population
2-year terms
What do they DO?
Write Bills
Drafting ideas for new laws to help people.
Control Taxes
Deciding how the government spends money.
Declare War
Making the big decisions about national safety.
The Law Lab
1
THE IDEA
2
THE BILL
3
THE VOTE
4
SIGNATURE
Law Lab Activity Law Lab
Journey of a Bill
Legislator:
Date:
Instructions
A bill is an idea for a law. Follow the steps below to map out the journey a bill takes from an idea to a signed law. Fill in the missing information based on what you learned in the Law Makers Slides.
1
The Idea
Laws start with an idea to help solve a problem. Who can come up with an idea for a law?
2
The Writing
Once an idea is ready, it is written down. This written document is called a:
B I L L
3
The House and Senate
The bill must be debated and passed by BOTH parts of Congress. Name the two houses below:
The Senate
The House of Representatives
4
The President's Desk
After passing Congress, the bill goes to the President. If the President likes the bill, they sign it. If they don't, they can say "NO". What is the name for this presidential "NO"?
V _ _ _
Congress Challenge
Circle the correct answer:
Which house is based on a state's population?
The Senate
The House of Representatives
How many senators does Illinois have?
2
100
Big Boss Slides The Big Boss
Leading the Nation:
ARTICLE II
Chief Executive
SESSION #003: EXECUTIVE
The President is the leader of the Executive Branch.
Enforce the Laws
The President makes sure that Congress's laws are followed.
Commander in Chief
The leader of all US Military forces.
Requirements to Lead
35 Years Old
Born in the US
Lived in the US for 14 years
The Cabinet
"The President cannot do everything alone!"
Dept. of Labor
Helps with jobs and working conditions.
Dept. of Education
Helps students and schools grow.
Health & Human Services
Keeping citizens healthy and safe.
Dept. of Agriculture
Supporting farmers and food supply.
Illinois Connection
Who is our Big Boss?
The leader of our state government is called the Governor .
Location: Springfield, IL
Quick Check
Is the Governor the President?
No! But they have similar jobs.
Both are the "Big Boss" of their level of government.
Final Word Slides The Final Word
Interpreting the Law:
ARTICLE III
The Interpreters
SESSION #004: JUDICIAL
Review Laws
Deciding if laws follow the rules of the Constitution.
Settle Disputes
Helping people or states solve disagreements fairly.
Unconstitutional?
If a law goes against the Constitution, the Judicial Branch can strike it down.
The Supreme Court
9
Justices
Nine judges make up the highest court in the land.
For Life
Justices serve for life (until they retire or pass away).
Chief Justice
The leader of the Supreme Court is the "Chief Justice".
Why does it matter?
Fairness
They make sure the same law applies to everyone , no matter who they are.
Protection
They protect our individual rights listed in the Constitution.
Can the President fire a Supreme Court Justice if they disagree?
System Check Slides System Check
Balance of Power:
MISSION COMPLETE: CITIZENSHIP
Checks and Balances
SYSTEM_VERSION_1.0
The 3 branches use Checks and Balances to make sure no one person or group gets too much power.
Check: To limit someone's power.Balance: To share power equally.
The President can VETO a law from Congress.
Congress can OVERRIDE a veto with a 2/3 vote.
The Supreme Court can STRIKE DOWN a law if it's unconstitutional.
Illinois State Government
Just like the national government, Illinois has its own set of rules and branches!
Level Check
State: Governor, General Assembly, State CourtsNational: President, Congress, Supreme Court
The State Capitol
Springfield, Illinois
Power Players: YOU!
Being a Good Citizen
"The government works best when we all take part."
Follow laws and rules
Vote in elections
Stay informed about issues
Help your community
Are you ready to be a
