1. Comparing the U.S. and Florida Constitutions
How Do they Compare?
Comparing the U.S. and Florida Constitutions

2. constitution What is a…?
Have students offer their own definition of what a constitution is. Definition provided on the following slide.

3. In general, a constitution is a document that organizes a government.
Think of a constitution as a rule book for government…
Rule Book
The following slide will elaborate on the definition as applied to the U.S. Constitution. Ask students if they know of anything else a constitution does (lists the rights of the people, says what government can and cannot do, etc)

4. The United States Constitution does the following:
Sets up the government
Defines power and limits of the government
Lays out some of the rights of the people
Ask students what “social contract” means (review of Locke PowerPoint) – the agreement between the people and the government: the people agree to live under and obey the government, the people give the power to make and enforce laws, and the government gives protection to the people in return.

5. In a constitutional government, it all starts with the people…
The Constitution creates limits and guidelines for the government in order to protect the people from an abuse of power.
Constitution
The constitution is a social contract between We the People and the government.
The Constitution protects the rights of the people from the government.
In a constitutional government, it all starts with the people…
This slide will look at CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENTS
Distribute student handout “What is a Constitution?”
Students will complete their handout as the PowerPoint progresses. Remind students to check and see if they are on the correct section – Constitutional Government.
The first step in a “constitutional government” is the establishment of a social contract between the people and the government.
The result of that social contract is a constitution that will outline the limits and guidelines placed on government and the rights of the people to be protected from the government.
The people must consent to give the power to make and enforce laws to the government.
The government is structured to offer protection for the people through public safety measures and the justice system.
Government
The People
The People

6. What are the First three words of the U.S. Constitution?
We the People…

7. What are the First three words of the FLORIDA Constitution?
We the People…
Ask students if they knew Florida had a Constitution. Ask if any of them have ever read the document.

8. IN Your Group… Now let’s test your knowledge!
Using the outlines of the U.S. and Florida Constitutions, compare the documents on your How Do They Compare? Handout.
Florida Constitution
Write the differences under the correct label.
U.S. Constitution
Write the differences under the correct label.
Hint –
Look for:
Structural differences
Content differences
Dates
Responsibilities/services
Write the similarities in the center.
Have students work in small groups. Discuss responses upon completion using a “round-robin” method. Each group will share a fact about the Florida Constitution, a fact about the U.S. Constitution, and something the two documents have in common. Then, move to the next group. Continue around the classroom until students run out of answers. Students should not repeat responses given by other groups.
Now let’s test your knowledge!

9. Work together and use your outline to make your best guess!
Where is it from?
Read the selected quote.
Your group will need to decide:
Which document it is from - the U.S. or Florida Constitution
Where in the document this quote is found
Work together and use your outline to make your best guess!

10. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
The…power to establish post offices…
Click on the picture to link to the answer slide.
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution

11. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
Counties may be created, abolished or changed by law…
Click on the picture to go to the answer slide
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution

12. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
It is a paramount duty…to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders
Click on the picture to go to the answer slide.
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution

13. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
He shall have the power to make Treaties…
Click on the picture to go to the answer slide.
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution

14. United States Constitution
How Do they stack?
You know about the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution – but how do they relate to each other and with other kinds of law?
United States Constitution
Local ordinances
Federal law
State law
School rules
Florida Constitution

15. United States Constitution
IN your Group:
Discuss the six sources of “law” listed below.
Determine how these laws relate to each other – what is the lowest form of law? What is the highest law in our government?
Stack the laws in the correct order on your handout – with the lowest law at the bottom, and the highest law at the top.
Local ordinances
United States Constitution
Federal law
State law
School rules
Florida Constitution

16. United States Constitution
So, how do they stack?
United States Constitution
The United States Constitution is the highest law in the land. This is stated in Article VI of the Constitution: “The Constitution…shall be the supreme Law of the Land…”
Florida Constitution
The Florida Constitution sets up the government of Florida and defines the rights of Florida’s citizens. The Florida Constitution is placed above state laws.
Federal law
Federal law applies to all those who live in the United States. It is created by the United States Congress and can overrule pieces of a state’s Constitution.
State law
State laws are the next layer. These impact all individuals living within the state.
Federal law
Florida Constitution
State law
Local ordinances
Local ordinances impact us on a local level. An example might be a noise ordinance after 10 p.m.
School rules
School rules are a kind of law. They are the lowest level because they impact you on a super local level.
Local ordinances
School rules

17. The…power to establish post offices and post Roads…
Correct!
The…power to establish post offices and post Roads…
Article I of the United States Constitution gives Congress the power to establish post offices and roads. This is a power of the federal government.
Next Question

18. Counties may be created, abolished or changed by law…
Correct!
Florida
Constitution
Counties may be created, abolished or changed by law…
Local government, which includes counties, is outlined in Article VIII (8) of the Florida Constitution.
Next Question

19. Correct! Florida Constitution
It is a paramount duty…to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders
Did you know that education is never mentioned in the United States Constitution? Education is the responsibility of the states and is outlined in Article IX (9) of the Florida Constitution.
Next Question

20. He shall have the power to make Treaties…
Correct!
He shall have the power to make Treaties…
The power to make treaties is a power only given to the federal (national) government – specifically, the President. The powers of the President are outlined in Article II (2).
Next Slide

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