AEET 793

Ashley Bonte

Instructional Multimedia Project: The DESIGN Phase Outline 1. 2. Project Title: Peeking through the Branches of Government General Goal: To enhance students understanding of the beginnings of America as a nation and the establishment of the new government. Specific Outcomes: (aligned to SC State Standards) Students can compare the ideas in the Articles of Confederation with those in the United States Constitution, including how powers are now shared between state and national government and how individuals and states are represented in Congress. Students can explain the structure and function of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. Students can explain the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights placed importance on the active involvement of citizens in government and protected the rights of white male property owners but not those of the slaves, women, and Native Americans.

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4. Audience: The target audience is fourth grade, however the Multimedia project will be appropriate for grades 3-5. This includes students who seek enrichment as well as those who may be struggling to reach the goals and objectives. 5. Content Outline I. Articles of Confederation o Modeled after the Continental Congress - Authority rested with the states not the people o Confederation Congress => One-house legislature - 1 state/1 vote o Powers granted vs. denied: Powers Granted declare war and make peace maintain an army and navy make treaties with other countries borrow money establish a postal service II. US Constitution Power Denied executive branch raising taxes stop states from printing their own money regulate trade with other countries or between states court system

o Authority comes directly from the people o Governing powers are shared between the states and the federal government (federalism) o National congress with 2 houses => the Senate & the House of Representatives o Senate = equal representation regardless of state size or population o House of Representatives = proportional representation based on state population o Separate executive (president), legislative (congress), and judicial (national courts) branches III. Articles of Confederations vs. Constitution o Similar -> Both provided for the establishment of government o Different -> Understanding of where the authority of government rests & in the powers that are given to the national government IV. Branches of Government o Legislative branch Divided into the Senate & the House of Representatives Housed in the Capitol building Writes, debates, and passes bills o Executive branch Headed by the President Resides in the White House Enforces or carries out (executes) the laws Suggests laws to the Congress Serves as Commander in Chief of the U.S. armed forces o Judicial branch Includes a system of courts comprised of federal district courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court Supreme Court housed in its own building in Washington, D.C. Decides whether or not the laws passed by Congress or the states are in conformance with the Constitution and are being carried out fairly V. System of Checks and Balances o Define o Explain examples in each branch of government

Constitution & 18th Century Opinions o Men referred to white, male property owners o Though some Framers of the Constitution struggled with the issue of the disparity between their station and the natural rights of others, most of writers regarded only those of their class, race, and gender as the equals possessing unalienable rights that needed protections. o Neither slave nor woman was used in the Constitution. o Slaves were discussed as other persons in one context and fugitive laborers in another. o Native Americans were considered separate nations and dealt with like foreign countries. o Womens rights as equal citizens were not able to be enforced until passage of the 19th amendment in 1920. o The existence of slavery was ever-present and implied in the Constitution because it was a major source of contention and difference between the constituencies of the U.S. who were trying to create a government that would be palatable in all regions of the new nation. VII. Great Compromise o Representation in the House of Representatives based on population o Three-Fifths Compromise as a reaction to the sectional debate on the counting of slaves for the purposes of representation and taxation
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Provisions stating that the international slave trade would not cease for 2 decades (until 1808) and enforcing federal support for the return of runaway slaves VIII. Bill of Rights o The first ten amendments to the Constitution o Added to protect the individual rights and freedoms not addressed in the original Constitution. o When the Constitution was in the process of being ratified by state ratifying conventions, some Americans were concerned that the Constitution gave the national government too much power. These people became known as the Anti-Federalists. Anti-Federalists were a significant force in several key states, and they would not approve the Constitution until amendments protecting the rights of the individuals against an all-powerful national government (like that experienced while under the rule of George III) were promised. Amendments were proposed during the first Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of these were ratified. VIII. Bill of Rights Freedoms o They continue to guarantee the rights of individuals and limit the powers of government. o These rights include the freedoms of religion, speech and assembly, the rights of citizens to bear arms, protection against troops being quartered in private homes, safeguards against unreasonable searches, and the requirement for indictment by a grand jury for major crimes. o It also guarantees a speedy public trial and trial by jury, and prohibits excessive bail. o Recognizes that people have rights other than those mentioned in the Bill of Rights and that powers not delegated to the federal government belong to the states or the people IX. Citizenship o With rights and freedoms come the responsibilities of citizenship X. Responsibilities of Citizenship o Following rules and laws established by local, state, and federal governments o Expressing personal beliefs and opinions by voting in elections o Paying income taxes to support local, state, and federal projects o Serving on a jury to ensure the right of a fair trial to all individuals
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