Constitution Webquest

Directions: Complete all sections of this webquest and answer all questions in your packet. This will be turned in for a quiz grade. Good luck!

Introduction

Watch the following video, enjoy! http://www1.teachertube.com/

viewVideo.php?title=US_Constitution&video_id=196683

Step 1- Branches of Government

Go to the website http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_threebranches.htm

Read the page discussing the 3 different Branches of government.

Watch the video clip http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=117875

Answer the Section 1 Questions in your question packet using this website: http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/teacher_lessons/3branches/1.htm

Notes- Write these down in the notes section of your binder

The basic purpose of the constitutional system of checks and balances is to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Step 2- The Legislature

Go to the website http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/whyhouseandsenate.htm

Read the webpageUse the picture below to answer the question in Section 2

Step 3- Powers of Government

Go to the website http://sparkcharts.sparknotes.com/history/usgovernment/section2.php

Read about the powers of the Federal and State governments.

Use the picture below to answer the question in Section 3

Notes- Write these down in the notes section of your binder

Federalism is the United States Government principle which includes the concepts of reserved powers, delegated powers, and concurrent powers.

Under the Constitution, those powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states of the people

An example of a reserved power (that is not listed in the above picture) is the power to set marriage qualifications

One of the concurrent powers shared by the federal and state governments is collecting taxes

Section 4- How are laws made? Watch the video clip

http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=144591

Go to the website http://kids.clerk.house.gov/grade-school/lesson.html?intID=17

Read the Webpage Use the picture below and the webpage to

answer the question in Section 4

Notes- Write these down in the notes section of your binder

If the President has vetoed a bill, the United States Constitution provides that a bill will become a law when the bill is passed again by 2/3’s of both houses of Congress

How to change the constitution Copy this chart in your notes

Step 5- Electoral College

Watch the following video- http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=221724&title=Electoral_College

Go to the Website http://www.congressforkids.net/Elections_electoralcollege.htm

Read the Webpage Use the picture below and the webpage to

answer the question in Section 4

Notes- Write these down in the notes section of your binder

In the US, the electoral college system affects the campaigns of major party presidential candidates by influencing candidates to concentrate upon states with large populations

Step 6- Presidential Cabinet Go to the Website

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet

Using the Website, answer the questions in Section 6

Notes- Write these down in the notes section of your binder

In the US government, members of the cabinet are directly responsible to the President

Step 7- The Bill of Rights Go to Mr. Muller and ask him for a “Bill of

Rights” packet. Read the packet, answer the question

sheet and complete the political cartoon handout on the back