1. Constitutional Comparisons, Florida and US Constitutions, Government Structure, Supremacy
SS.7.C.3.13: Compare the constitutions of the United States and Florida.
Essential Question:
How are the U.S. and Florida constitutions similar?
How are they different?

2. Bell Ringer – 3 minutes
1. Which statement identifies a basic similarity between the US and Florida Constitutions?
Both have a preamble, articles, and amendments.
Both prohibit the collection of personal income taxes.
Both provides details on the qualifications for voting in elections.
Both have detailed provisions on public education and local government.
2. What is one way that the government of the State of Florida differs from the federal government?
Florida judges hold their positions with lifetime tenure.
Members of the Cabinet in Florida also sit in the state legislature.
Several Cabinet members in Florida are elected rather than appointed.
Unlike the Vice President of the United States, the Lieutenant Governor of Florida is appointed.
Answers: 1 is A, 2 is C

3. Hook What similarities to the US Constitution do you notice?

4. “I Do” Component Description Preamble
Both preambles begin with “We the People”, demonstrating that it is from the people that government secures its power.
Articles
There are seven articles in the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution has 12 articles. The Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution in 1791 while the Florida Declaration of Rights was included in Florida’s last constitution, which was ratified in 1968.
Amendment Process
Both constitutions are “living documents” as each provides for making changes (amendments). The U.S. Constitution is amended by elected federal and state legislators while the Florida Constitution is amended by voters.
Check for understanding- prompt students to address similarities between the documents, ask significance and meaning of supremacy clause, ask what the purpoe of a constitution is.

5. “We Do”
Compare and contrast the two constitutions using a Venn Diagram that shows what’s different and what is the same.
Work with your partner to add to each of your Venn Diagrams, then answer the following questions together.
Why is it important that the United States and Florida both have constitutions?
In the event of a conflict, which constitution takes precedent?

6. Bell Ringer Check for Understanding
1. Which statement identifies a basic similarity between the US and Florida Constitutions?
Both have a preamble, articles, and amendments.
Both prohibit the collection of personal income taxes.
Both provides details on the qualifications for voting in elections.
Both have detailed provisions on public education and local government.
2. What is one way that the government of the State of Florida differs from the federal government?
Florida judges hold their positions with lifetime tenure.
Members of the Cabinet in Florida also sit in the state legislature.
Several Cabinet members in Florida are elected rather than appointed.
Unlike the Vice President of the United States, the Lieutenant Governor of Florida is appointed.
Answers: 1 is A, 2 is C

7. “You Do” – Let’s Practice!
Answers: 1 is D, 2 is B, 3 is B

8. Exit Slip Answer the following in your interactive journal:
How are the U.S. and Florida constitutions similar?
How are they different?