1
Lesson Plan
History, Structure, and Content of the United States
Constitution
CONTENT AND COMPETENCIES
Content
This lesson will present the history, structure, and content of the United States Constitution. The Bill of
Objectives
• History of the United States Constitution
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
Computer and PowerPoint projector
KEYWORDS AND TERMS
Article VIII
equal protection
___________________ Chapter 1 History, Structure, and Content of the United States Constitution 2
Constitutional Law
Kanovitz
LESSON 1.1
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION
After the Revolutionary War, the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation. Why
did the framers determine that the Constitution was necessary?
OBJECTIVES
CONTENT
TEACHING RESOURCES
Understand the
history of the
United States
Constitution.
History of the United
States Constitution
Early Steps Toward
National Unity
PPT:
• 1–2
Figures:
___________________ Chapter 1 History, Structure, and Content of the United States Constitution 3
Constitutional Law
Kanovitz
LESSON 1.2
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION
How did the Framers protect against concentrated power in drafting the Constitution?
Guidelines: They believed that liberty would be more secure if the national government’s powers were
divided among three separate branches—a bicameral legislature with the power to make laws, an executive
OBJECTIVES
CONTENT
TEACHING RESOURCES
Learn the
structure of the
Constitution
and understand
the powers
given to each
Structure and Content
Separation of Powers
Encroachment
Delegation of Powers
Coin Money
Post Offices and Roads
Authors and Inventors
Lower Courts
Piracies and Felonies on
High Seas
Declare War
PPT:
• 3–6
Figures:
• Read and discuss Case Studies 2–3
___________________ Chapter 1 History, Structure, and Content of the United States Constitution 4
Constitutional Law
Kanovitz
OBJECTIVES
CONTENT
TEACHING RESOURCES
LESSON 1.3
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION
What was the function of the Bill of Rights, as conceived by the Framers?
OBJECTIVES
CONTENT
TEACHING RESOURCES
Understand the
Bill of Rights
and how the
ratification of
The Bill of Rights
Applying the Bill of
Rights to the States
through the
PPT:
• 7–9
Figures:
___________________ Chapter 1 History, Structure, and Content of the United States Constitution 5
Constitutional Law
Kanovitz
LESSON 1.4
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION
What branch of government is the ultimate authority on the interpretation of the Constitution?
OBJECTIVES
CONTENT
TEACHING RESOURCES
Understand the
role of the
Supreme Court
Adjudication of
Constitutional
Questions
PPT:
• 10–11