1. Warm-Up Can a law be illegal? (Explain your answer)
Who has to obey laws? Students? School principal? The police? The president?

2. SS.7.C.1.7 – Describe how the Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers and checks and balances.
SS.7.C.1.9 – Define the rule of law and recognize its influence on the development of the American governmental system.

3. What are principles?
A principle is a kind of rule, belief, or idea that guides you
Basic beliefs by which people live their lives

4. How do principles work in the constitution?
Principles guide the constitution
They are the foundation on which our government is built.

5. 5 basic Principles Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government and Rule of Law
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
federalism

6. Popular Sovereignty Read pg. 137 and answer in your flipbook
Explain the idea of Popular Sovereignty
How does the constitution guarantee the sovereignty of the people?

7. Limited Government and Rule of Law
Read pg. 138
What does limited government mean?
The U.S. government is also limited by the rule of law.
What does Rule of Law mean?
What might happen if there was no rule of law?
Let’s perform skits to see!

8. Checkpoint/warm-up (Copy Question and write out the answer)
Which characteristic serves as a long-term protection against tyranny and is a foundation of liberty in the United States?
A. the commerce clause
B. the elastic clause
C. the right to trial
D. the rule of law

9. Separation of powers
President
Vice President

10. Separation of Powers Each branch has its own separate power
Legislative Branch – law-making
Executive Branch – Executes Laws (Enforces Laws)
Judicial Branch – Interpret laws
This was based on the ideas of Montesquieu
Who’s Got the Power? Activity
Scavenger Hunt through the Constitution

11. Warm-Up (Answer in Complete Sentences)
What are the three branches of government?
List 1 power for each branch of Government.

12. Checks & balances
Goal was to keep any one of the three branches from becoming too powerful.
Each branch of government is able to check, or limit, the power of the other two branches in several ways.
Use the chart on pg. 139 to help you fill in your activity sheet
Complete Checks &
Balances Worksheet
And turn in

13. Checkpoint/warm-up
How can the executive branch check the actions of the legislative branch?
How can the legislative branch check actions of the judicial branch?

14. Federalism
SS.7.C.3.4 – Identify the relationship and division of powers between the federal government and state government.

15. Federalism
Term
Definition
Federal
Government
the organization through which political authority is exercised at the national level, government of the United States
State Government
the organization through which political authority is exercised at the state level, government of a specific state
Local Government
the governing body of a municipality or county
Pass out the “Federalism” student activity sheet and review the three terms as a whole class

16. Visual Representation
Federalism
You Do
Term
Definition
Visual Representation
Federal
Government
the organization through which political authority is exercised at the national level, government of the United States
State Government
the organization through which political authority is exercised at the state level, government of a specific state
Local Government
the governing body of a municipality or county
Instruct students to work independently to create a visual representation for each of the vocabulary terms.
Have students share out.

17. Visual Representation
You Do
Federalism
Term
Definition
Visual Representation
Name of Where I Live
Federal
Government
the organization through which political authority is exercised at the national level, government of the United States
State Government
the organization through which political authority is exercised at the state level, government of a specific state
Local Government
the governing body of a municipality or county

18. The national government is also referred to as the federal government.
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided and shared between the federal (national) government, the state governments and the local governments.
The national government is also referred to as the federal government.
In a federal system, the power of the government is distributed to different levels of government: national (federal), state, and local.
Explain to students the following points about federalism and instruct students to take notes on their activity sheet.
Federalism is a core principle of our government.

19. Enumerated (Delegated) Powers Federal & State Governments
U.S. Constitution
State
Constitution
Federal Government
Enumerated (Delegated) Powers
Federal & State Governments
Concurrent Powers
State Governments
Reserved Powers
Local Governments
Project the flow chart from page one of the activity sheet. Instruct students to read aloud the next two paragraphs on the activity sheet and discuss key points to ensure student understanding.

20. Enumerated or Delegated Powers
Type of Power
Definition
Examples
Enumerated or Delegated Powers
powers specifically listed in the U.S. Constitution for the federal (national) government only
The power to raise and support an army and navy.
The power to coin money.
The power to declare war.
The power to conduct foreign policy.
The power to regulate trade between states and internationally.
Reserved Powers
powers that are given to the states by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The power to run elections.
The power to set up and run schools.
The power to establish local governments
The power to regulate business in the state.
Concurrent Powers
powers shared by the federal (national) and state governments
The power to levy taxes (tax the people).
The power to establish courts.
The ability to borrow money.
Local Government Powers
powers given to towns, cities and counties by the Florida Constitution
The power to create speed limits.
The power to protect citizens from crime.
The power to provide services related to garbage, sewage, fire protection, and traffic control.
Review the graphic organizer on page two of the activity sheet as a whole class.
Have students give real life examples of each power. (Enumerated #1 – US Military, 2 – Federal Reserve Bank, 3 – WWII, 4 – NAFTA, etc.)
Instruct students to work independently to define federalism in their own words on page two of the activity sheet.

21. Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Have students read Amendment X

22. Amendment X
The Tenth Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights to further define the balance of power between the federal government and the states.
The amendment says that the federal government has only those powers specifically granted by the U.S. Constitution.
Some of the powers of the federal government are the power to declare war, collect taxes, and regulate interstate business activities.
According to the amendment, any power not listed is left to the states or the people.
Although the amendment does not specify what the state powers are, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that laws affecting, divorce, adoption, commerce that occurs within a state’s borders, and local law enforcement are among the powers specifically reserved to the states or the people.

23. Why is it important for citizens to know the powers of each level of government?
Why do you think different levels of government are responsible for different things?
What would be different if there was only a federal (national) government and no state or local entities? Or vice versa?”

24. Is it federal, state, or concurrent?
After Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, President Obama worked with Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey and pledged federal support to help repair the massive storm damage throughout the state. What is this an example of?
Talk with partner for 1 min. to discuss
Concurrent

25. Is it federal, state, or concurrent?
Each state has its own rules and regulations for obtaining a teaching certificate. If a teacher living in Florida would like to move and teach in Texas, he or she would need to pass one or more exams in order to be certified to teach in Texas. What is this an example of?
Reserved

26. Is it federal, state, or concurrent?
The state of Montana borders Canada. If a conflict occurs between Montana and Canada, can Montana declare war on Canada? No
Why not?

27. Me Journal writing SS.7.c.1.7 Ss.7.c.1.9 SS.7.C.3.4
How does the constitution limit the powers of government?
Ss.7.c.1.9
How does the principle of rule of law influence the American political system?
SS.7.C.3.4
What are the different types of powers given to federal and state governments?