1. CICERO © 2010 1 Constitution The United States

2. CICERO © 2010 2 What Is a Constitution? Pronunciation: kon-sti- too -shuh-n Part of Speech: noun Definitions: a document a document that states the laws and creates a government the way something is established the beliefs and laws of a country that establish the powers and roles of the government and guarantees that the nation’s people maintain their rights

3. CICERO © 2010 3 What Is the United States Constitution? It is the fundamental law of the United States. It was framed and composed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. The original thirteen states later ratified it. It went into effect on March 4, 1789.

4. CICERO © 2010 4 Definitions Mean? What Do These

5. CICERO © 2010 5 The United States Constitution is the highest law of the United States. It explains the structure of the United States government. The Constitution names and explains the three branches of the United States government. It also explains their powers.

6. CICERO © 2010 6 The Three Branches of the United States Government

7. CICERO © 2010 7 Legislative Branch House of Representatives Congress is the first branch, the legislative branch. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Three Branches of the United States Government Senate

8. Executive Branch CICERO © 2010 8 President The President of the United States leads the executive branch. The Three Branches of the United States Government

9. CICERO © 2010 9 Judicial Branch Supreme Court The Supreme Court heads the judicial branch. The Three Branches of the United States Government

10. CICERO © 2010 10 What We Know About the United States Constitution WHO? the Constitutional Convention WHAT? a document that states the laws and beliefs of the United States. WHEN? September 17, 1787 WHERE? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

11. CICERO © 2010 11 Contents of the Constitution The Preamble Article One: the Legislative Branch Article Two: the Presidency Article Three: the Judiciary Article Four: the States Article Five: the Amendment Process Article Six: the Legal Status of the Constitution Article Seven: Ratification Signatures Twenty-Seven Amendments

12. CICERO © 2010 12 Vocabulary Booster The United States Constitution … What is an article ? What is a section ? What is an amendment ?

13. CICERO © 2010 13 An article is a separate part of a document that deals with a single subject. Articles are divided into sections. A section is one of several parts. An amendment is the act or process of changing something for the better. Vocabulary Booster The United States Constitution …

14. CICERO © 2010 14 a document a document that states the laws and establishes the government the way something is established the beliefs and laws of a country that create the powers and role of the government and guarantee the nation’s people maintain their rights. Does the United States Constitution Fit the Definition of a Constitution ?

15. CICERO © 2010 15 Did You Know That … The United States Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times. The first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights. You can see the original United States Constitution in Washington, D.C., on display at the National Archives and Records Administration.

16. CICERO © 2010 16 What About the Preamble?

17. CICERO © 2010 17 What Is a Preamble? Pronunciation: pree -am-buhl Part of Speech: noun Definition: an introduction that often gives the reasons for what follows

18. CICERO © 2010 18 It is an introduction to the United States Constitution. It informs people that the federal government has authority over what is amended in the Constitution. What Is the Preamble?

19. CICERO © 2010 19 The Preamble States We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. “ ”

20. CICERO © 2010 20 Does the Preamble Fit the Definition of a Preamble? It is an introduction. It gives the reasons for what follows in the document. Laws and other parts of the Constitution follow it.

21. CICERO © 2010 21 The Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. “ ”