Name ________________________________________________________________________ Period _________ pg.

# __________

Structure of the Constitution Guided Notes

SS.7.C.3.3 Illustrate the structure and function (three branches of government established in
Articles I, II, and III with corresponding powers) of government in the United States as established
in the Constitution.
What is a constitution? What is the main purpose of the U.S. Constitution?
A constitution is a written plan for government. The U.S. Constitution greats our
government.
There are 3 parts to the U.S Constitution:
1) The Preamble
2) The Articles
3) The Amendments

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 defence, 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.
What is the Preamble?
The introduction to the Constitution; it explains what the Constitution is meant to do
and describes the purpose of the new government.
Rewrite the Preamble your own words.

Preamble

Your Words (SAMPLE ANSWERS)

We the People of the United

States

The power of the government comes from the people

sets up a democracy

in Order to form a more

perfect Union

A better unification of the states then before (under

the Articles)

establish Justice

Create a fair legal system

insure domestic Tranquility

Keep things peaceful at home

provide for the common

defence

Join together to defend the country

promote the general Welfare

Help support peoples well-being

secure the Blessings of Liberty

to ourselves and our Posterity

Make sure there is freedom for ourselves and our

descendants

The Articles
The Constitution contains seven articles, outlining our plan for government. Describe each article
and create a mnemonic device to remember them.
Articl Description
Mnemonic
e
Device (CLASS
EXAMPLE)
I

Legislative: Makes laws

Congress is made up of the Senate and House of
Representatives

L: Little

II

Executive: Enforces/carries out the law

President is the head of the executive

E: Elves

III

Judicial: Interprets the laws

Supreme Court is the highest court in the
country.

J: Jumped

IV

States: Outlines states powers and how to interact

with other states
States powers are called reserved powers

S: Santa

Amendments: Explains the process to amend the

Constitution

A: And

VI

Supremacy Clause: Federal law is supreme law of the

land

S: Santas

VII

Ratification: Approval of the Constitution

R: Reindeer

The Amendments
How many Amendments to the Constitution are there in total?
27 amendments
What are the first 10 amendments called?
The Bill of Rights
Complete the chart on the amendment process: