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Constitution in Action

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Case Preston

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Constitution in Action Lesson Plan

Students will analyze the Constitution’s framework by identifying the separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism through guided activities, preparing them for AP US Government exam questions on constitutional design.

Understanding the Constitution’s structural principles equips students with critical analytical skills for the AP exam and fosters civic literacy on how government powers are allocated and limited.

Audience

12th Grade

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities with visuals, scenarios, and station rotations.

Materials

  • Constitution Framework Handout, - Separation of Powers Infographic, - Separation of Powers Graphic Organizer, - Checks and Balances Scenarios, - Federalism Matching Activity, and - Chart Paper and Markers

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Constitution Framework Handout to familiarize yourself with key definitions and excerpts.
  • Print and cut the cards for the Checks and Balances Scenarios.
  • Project the Separation of Powers Infographic for whole-class display.
  • Prepare chart paper divided into three columns for group reporting.
  • Organize station materials for the Federalism Matching Activity.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

10 minutes

  • Pose a quick-write prompt: “List the three branches of government and their primary functions.”
  • Students pair-share responses and compare with the Constitution Framework Handout.
  • Call on volunteers to define separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.

Step 2

Separation of Powers Exploration

15 minutes

  • Display the Separation of Powers Infographic.
  • In groups of three, students use the Separation of Powers Graphic Organizer to note powers of each branch.
  • Each group shares one real-world example illustrating distributed powers.

Step 3

Checks & Balances Scenario Activity

15 minutes

  • Distribute one card from Checks and Balances Scenarios to each group.
  • Groups identify the branches involved and describe the type of check or balance at work.
  • Reconvene and chart findings on prepared chart paper columns.

Step 4

Federalism Station Rotations

10 minutes

  • Set up two stations: "National Powers" and "State Powers," each with cards from the Federalism Matching Activity.
  • Students rotate in pairs to sort cards under the correct column.
  • Teacher circulates to prompt discussion on concurrent powers.

Step 5

Closing & Exit Ticket

10 minutes

  • Ask students to write one example each of separation of powers, a check or balance, and a federal power on an index card.
  • Collect exit tickets for formative assessment.
  • Preview next lesson on amendment processes and judicial review.
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Slide Deck

Constitution in Action: The Constitution’s Framework

Tier 1 • 12th Grade • 60 minutes

Topic 1.2 AP US Government: How the Constitution shapes American governance.

Welcome students and introduce today’s lesson on the Constitution’s framework. Explain we’ll explore separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism, and how these ideas prepare you for AP US Government exam questions.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

  • Analyze how powers are distributed among the three branches of government.
  • Identify examples of checks and balances in action.
  • Distinguish national, state, and concurrent powers under federalism.
  • Apply these concepts to AP exam–style prompts.

Review the learning objectives aloud. Emphasize analysis and exam preparation.

Introduction & Warm-Up

  • Quick-write: “List the three branches of government and their primary functions.”
  • Pair-share responses.
  • Compare with Constitution Framework Handout.
  • Define: separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism.

(10 min)

  1. Project this slide and pose the quick-write.
  2. Circulate as students jot responses.
  3. After two minutes, have students pair-share.
  4. Invite volunteers to compare with the Constitution Framework Handout and define key terms.

Separation of Powers Exploration

  • View the Separation of Powers Infographic.
  • In groups of three, complete the Separation of Powers Graphic Organizer.
  • Share one real-world example illustrating distributed powers.

(15 min)

  1. Display the Separation of Powers Infographic.
  2. Assign groups of three and distribute the Separation of Powers Graphic Organizer.
  3. Circulate, prompt each group to note major powers of each branch.
  4. Ask each group to share one real-world example.

Checks & Balances Scenario Activity

  • Distribute cards from Checks and Balances Scenarios.
  • Identify the branches and describe the check or balance at work.
  • Chart group findings on class poster.

(15 min)

  1. Hand out one card from Checks and Balances Scenarios to each group.
  2. Groups identify the branches involved and the type of check or balance.
  3. Reconvene; chart findings on the prepared three-column poster.

Federalism Station Rotations

  • Two stations: “National Powers” and “State Powers.”
  • Sort cards from the Federalism Matching Activity.
  • Discuss concurrent powers with peers.

(10 min)

  1. Set up two stations: National Powers and State Powers, each with Federalism Matching Activity cards.
  2. Pairs rotate through stations, sorting cards.
  3. Prompt discussion on concurrent powers as you circulate.

Closing & Exit Ticket

  • Write one example each of:
    • Separation of powers
    • Check or balance
    • Federal power
  • Submit exit tickets.

(10 min)

  1. Ask students to write on an index card:
    • One example of separation of powers
    • One example of a check or balance
    • One federal power
  2. Collect exit tickets.
  3. Preview next lesson on amendment processes and judicial review.

What’s Next?

Next lesson:

  • Amendment Processes
  • Judicial Review
  • AP practice questions on constitutional change

Connect today’s concepts to upcoming topics on constitutional change and courts. Encourage review of handouts.

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Worksheet

Constitution Framework Handout

I. Key Terms & Definitions

Separation of Powers
The division of government responsibilities into three distinct branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.







Checks & Balances
A system in which each branch of government can limit (“check”) the powers of the other branches, ensuring no single branch becomes supreme.







Federalism
The constitutional allocation of power between national and state governments, including exclusive, concurrent, and reserved powers.







II. Foundational Constitutional Excerpts

  1. Separation of Powers













    • Article III, Section 1:
      “The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may ordain and establish.”
    • Article II, Section 1, Clause 1:
      “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America...”
    • Article I, Section 1:
      “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States...”
  2. Checks & Balances









    • Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 (Appointments & Senate Advice and Consent):
      “The President ... shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint ... Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers...”
    • Article I, Section 7, Clause 2 (Presidential Veto):
      “If he [the President] approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it...”
  3. Federalism



    • Tenth Amendment:
      “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
    • Article VI, Clause 2 (Supremacy Clause):
      “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States... shall be the supreme Law of the Land...”



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Activity

Separation of Powers Graphic Organizer

Complete the table below by listing key powers vested in each branch and providing a real-world example illustrating each branch in action.

Branch of GovernmentKey Powers (list 2–3)Real-World Example (brief description)
Legislative (Congress)•





•





Executive (President)•





•





Judicial (Supreme & inferior courts)•





•





 
 
Once you’ve filled in each row, be prepared to share one example from your group that shows how the powers you listed help maintain the separation between branches.
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Activity

Checks and Balances Scenarios

Instructions: Print and cut along the lines. On each card, read the scenario and then identify:

  • Branch(es) involved: _______

  • Type of check or balance: _______

Card 1: Presidential Veto
The President vetoes a bill passed by Congress.

Card 2: Congressional Override
Congress overrides the President’s veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.

Card 3: Appointment Confirmation
The President nominates a Supreme Court justice, and the Senate confirms (or rejects) the nominee.

Card 4: Judicial Review
The Supreme Court declares a federal law unconstitutional.

Card 5: Impeachment Process
The House of Representatives impeaches the President, and the Senate holds a trial to remove him from office.

Card 6: Presidential Pardon
The President pardons an individual convicted of a federal crime.

Card 7: Treaty Ratification
The President negotiates a treaty, and the Senate chooses not to ratify it.

Card 8: Congressional Investigation
Congress holds hearings to investigate the executive branch’s implementation of a law.

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Activity

Federalism Matching Activity

Instructions: Print and cut along the lines. Each card lists a governmental power. Sort the cards into one of three categories: National Power, State Power, or Concurrent Power (powers shared by both levels). After sorting, discuss with your partner why each power belongs in its category.

Card 1: Coin Money
The power to produce and regulate the nation’s currency.

Card 2: Declare War
The authority to formally declare war against another country.

Card 3: Regulate Interstate Commerce
The power to control trade between states and with foreign nations.

Card 4: Establish Inferior Federal Courts
The authority to create courts below the U.S. Supreme Court.

Card 5: Establish Public Schools
The power to create and manage state-run education systems.

Card 6: Conduct Elections
The authority to organize and oversee state and local elections.

Card 7: Regulate Intrastate Commerce
The power to control trade occurring solely within a single state.

Card 8: Organize and Train State Militias
The authority to maintain state defense forces (National Guard).

Card 9: Levy Taxes
The power to impose and collect taxes to raise revenue.

Card 10: Borrow Money
The authority to incur debt on behalf of the government.

Card 11: Establish and Maintain Courts
The power to set up and run judicial systems (federal and state).

Card 12: Provide for Public Welfare
The authority to fund programs that safeguard citizens’ health and well-being.

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Warm Up

Branches Quick-Write

Prompt: In 2 minutes, list the three branches of government and their primary functions. Write one clear sentence for each branch.

  1. ________________________________________________________________





  2. ________________________________________________________________





  3. ________________________________________________________________





Next: Pair-share your responses and compare them with the definitions on the Constitution Framework Handout.

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Cool Down

Constitution Exit Ticket

Directions: On an index card, write one example for each of the following. Be specific and concise.

  1. Separation of Powers (identify a power held by one branch and explain briefly):
    ______________________________________________________________





  2. Check or Balance (describe a specific check or balance in action):
    ______________________________________________________________





  3. Federal Power (name a power of the national government and give a quick example):
    ______________________________________________________________





Turn in your exit ticket as you leave.

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