The Constitution sets up the Government. We have a democracy in America with self-government. The first words of the Constitution are “We the people…”

The Constitution explains how our government works The Constitution explains how our government works. The government is like a tree with branches. There are three branches of government.

The three branches are….

Questions: What does the Constitution do? ___________________________________ The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? _______________________ Name one branch or part of government. ___________________________________

The Executive Branch The President is the top leader of our country. He is in charge of the executive branch.

The President The President must be at least 35 years old. He must have been born a U.S. citizen. He must have lived in the country for at least 14 years. The President serves a term of four years and can be re-elected for one more term. The President lives in the White House. The President is elected by the Electoral College, which is elected by the people of each state. We vote for the President in November.

The Executive Branch The Vice President today is Joe Biden. The Vice President becomes President if the President cannot serve.

Questions: Who is in charge of the Executive Branch? ______________________ What is the name of the President of the United States now? ______________________ We elect a President for how many years? ______ In what month do we vote for President? ________ If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? ________________________ Who is the Vice President now? ________________

Read: Who lives in the White House ? Write: The President lives in the White House.

Read: Where does the President live? Write: The President lives in the White House.

Read: Where is the White House? Write: The White House is in Washington, D.C.

Read: When do we vote for president? Write: We vote for president in November.

Executive Branch The Cabinet advises the President The Vice President The Attorney General The Secretaries of….. State, Education, Treasury, Homeland Security, Commerce, Transportation, the Interior, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs

The President can either sign or veto a bill.

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces.

There are two main political Parties. Republicans Democrats Barack Obama is a Democrat. We elect the President in November. You must be 18 years or older to vote.

Questions: What does the President’s Cabinet do? ___________________________________ What are two cabinet-level positions? ___________________________________ Who signs bills to become law? ____________ Who vetoes bills? ________________ Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? _______________________ What are the two major political parties? ____________________________ What is the political party of the President now? ________________________

Read: When is Presidents’ Day? Write: Presidents’ Day is in February.

The Legislative Branch The legislative branch has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Together, they are called Congress. Congress makes laws.

Senate The Senate has 100 members, two from each state. Each senator is elected for a term of 6 years.

Senate Minnesota has two Senators: Amy Klobuchar Al Franken A Senator represents all the people of the state.

Questions: Who makes federal laws? ___________________ What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? _______________________________ How many U.S. Senators are there? ___________ We elect a Senator for how many years? _______ Who does a Senator represent? ______________ Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? _____________________________

Read: How many senators do we have? Write: We have 100 senators.

Read: Who makes the laws? Write: Congress makes the laws.

House of Representatives There are 435 Representatives. The number from each state varies with population. Minnesota has 8. California has the most people. It has 53 representatives. A Representative is elected for a two-year term.

House of Representatives The Speaker of the House is John Boehner He is the leader of the House. If the President and Vice President cannot serve, the Speaker becomes President.

House of Representatives Minnesota has eight Representatives. The Representative from the Fifth District, Minneapolis, is Keith Ellison.

The Legislative Branch A new law must be passed by both the House and the Senate. It is then either signed or vetoed by the President.

Questions: The U.S. House of Representatives has how many voting members? _______________ We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?__________________ Name your U.S. Representative. ________________ Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? ____________________________ What is the name of the Speaker of the House now? ___________________________ If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? ___________________________

Read: Who elects Congress? Write: The people elect Congress.

Read: What state has the most people? Write: California has the most people.

Read: Where does Congress meet? Write: Congress meets in Washington, D.C.

The Judicial Branch: the Courts The courts hear cases, explain the law, apply the law, review laws, and decide disputes.

The Judicial Branch The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It has 9 members. They are selected by the President and approved or disapproved by the Senate. Justices serve for life.

The Judicial Branch John Roberts, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is the leader of the Judicial Branch.

The United States has separation of powers for good balance. “Checks and balances” keep one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

We believe in the Rule of Law No one is above the law, not even the President. Everyone must obey the law.

Questions: What does the judicial branch do? _________________________________________ What is the highest court in the United States? ___________________________ How many justices are on the Supreme Court? ________ Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? _____________________________ What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? ______________________________ What is the “rule of law”? ____________________