U. S. CONSTITUTION PROJECT
90 points History
DUE: ______
You will be creating a portfolio of assignments centered on the U. S. Constitution. We will be analyzing the Constitution as a written document and as a piece of history. Your assignments will be both written and creative, as you examine and reflect on the contents of the Constitution. The following assignments are included in the project:
1) Cover Page – title, illustration, full heading
2) Preamble Interpretation Collage – your interpretation
of the preamble and pictures to represent each of its
goals.
3) Constitution Book– an illustrative summary book of
the Constitution’s contents, including the preamble,
7 articles of Constitution, and amendments
4) “Separation of Powers” Diagram – triangular visual
representation of the powers of the 3 branches of
government and the checks & balances system
5) “How a Bill Becomes a Law” Book – visual
representation of the steps to a bill becoming a law
6) Amendment Illustrations – paraphrases and
illustrations of 8 of the amendments
Name: ______Period: ______
U. S. CONSTITUTION PROJECT
90 points U.S. History
DUE: ______
Criteria for grading: Points You Teacher
Cover Page– Title/Picture/Heading 10
Neat, colorful, original, eye-catching!
Preamble Interpretation Collage 20
Neat, colorful, 6 pictures, your own words
Constitution Book 20
Neat, 9 detailed pages with colorful pictures
“Separation of Powers” Triangle 20
Neat, colorful, title, 3 pictures, detailed
Amendment Project– 8 amendments 20
Number/Paraphrase/Picture, neat, colorful
(*Extra Credit – 2 points each extra amendment)
TOTAL: 90
GRADE: A B C D F
DIRECTIONS: Create your very own Constitution book using the “Structure of the Constitution” note sheet. Your book should include a creative cover and contain the following 9pages:
- Preamble
- Article 1
- Article 2
- Article 3
- Article 4
- Article 5
- Article 6
- Article 7
- Amendments
The Constitution is divided into several parts. It begins with a preamble, or an introduction. This preamble explains the reasons the Constitution was adopted. The main body of the Constitution is made up of seven major parts called articles. The articles are further divided into smaller parts called sections and clauses.
The first three articles of the Constitution describe the organization and powers of the three branches of the federal government. ARTICLE I describes the legislative branch, or the branch that makes the laws. This branch includes Congress which has 2 houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. ARTICLE II describes the executive branch, or the branch that carries out the laws. The President and Vice President are part of this branch. ARTICLE III describes the judicial branch, or the branch that interprets the laws. In this branch, the Supreme Court and other federal courts decide whether laws have been broken or not.
The last four articles of the Constitution explain how the powers of government are to be shared by the federal government, the states, and the people. ARTICLE IV is mostly about the relationship among the states. For example, states are required to respect each other’s laws. ARTICLE V explains how Congress, with the consent of 2/3 of both houses, can change or amend the Constitution. ARTICLE VI makes clear that federal laws and treaties are the supreme laws of the land. ARTICLE VII explains how the Constitution was to be ratified, or approved.
Finally, changes made to the Constitution after 1789 are called amendments. These are at the end of the document. There are presently 27 amendments, which make changes in or additions to the original Constitution. The first 10 amendments are the basic American freedoms, called the Bill of Rights.
Directions: On your diagram, include each branch’s 1) leader(s), 2) job, 3) picture(s), and 4) checks on other branches (using arrows).
Example:
Amendment Illustrations
There are 27 amendments, or changes, in the U.S. Constitution. You will paraphrase (put into your own words) and illustrate your choice of eight of these amendments. You will place two amendments on
each page of your project (see example below). Each page must have:
1)Number of amendment
2)Paraphrase (your own words) of amendment
3)Picture of amendment’s meaning
You may use images from newspapers, magazines, clip art, or your own original art. The example below shows one part of the First Amendment. Obviously you need to choose one of the other rights guaranteed by the Constitution for the First Amendment… Have fun!
AMENDMENT 1
Individuals have the right to gather peacefully.
AMENDMENT 5
Name: ______
Paraphrasing the Amendments
Use your copy of the Amendments, which includes the Bill of Rights, or the first 10 amendments. Choose 8 of the amendments to paraphrase (put intoyour own words) and illustrate (draw a picture or use clip art) to put into your Constitution Project. You may do more than 8 for extra credit. Start by choosing one freedom in Amendment 1.
Amendment ______: (Choose only one of the five freedoms for Amendment 1)
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Amendment ______:
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Amendment ______:
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Amendment ______:
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Amendment ______:
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Amendment ______:
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Amendment ______:
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Amendment ______:
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