The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
By: Mike • Essay • 1,592 Words • December 23, 2009 • 1,106 Views
Essay title: The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION POWER GRAB GAME
Appropriate for grades 9-12.
State Standard: Government and Civics 5.3.9.B
OVERVIEW: The highest law of the land in the United States is the
Constitution. This is the basic principle we want young people to
understand and support in our social studies classes. Associated
with the knowledge of the Constitution are several fundamental
ideas: checks and balances, separation of powers, Bill of Rights
and amendments.
PURPOSE: To encourage students to comprehend these points of
emphasis and relate them to the study of the three branches of our
federal government. Several activities are described. The
culminating activity is the "Power Grab Game" given before the
final test on the Constitution Unit.
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:
1. Identify the three branches of American government.
2. Describe the function of each branch of government.
3. Explain how the "checks and balances" system functions to
protect the individual citizen from illegal power hungary
politicians.
4. Describe how each branch of government is "separate" in its
powers to the other branches of government.
5. Explain how the amendments to the Constitution function
today.
ACTIVITIES: The following ideas will prepare students for their
explanation of the Constitution:
The Power Game -- Checks and Balances in the Constitution:
1. Divide the class into three groups: Executive, Legislative
and Judicial branches of government. Each student should
have a copy of the Constitution with them.
2. In each round the teacher will give each branch of government
an opportunity for an unconstitutional "Power Grab". The
remaining two groups have two minutes to find proof from the
Constitution (amendments included) by Article, section and
clause, why the power grab is unconstitutional.
3. When a person thinks he finds the appropriate check he yells
"check". He must be prepared to respond with the answer
immediately. If wrong, others may try to block the grab for
power with the two minutes, alternating between branches
until the two minutes are gone or the answer is correct.
4. When checked correctly, the branch received 10 points. If no
one gets the correct answer, the branch grabbing power gets 5
points. No penalty for wrong answers.
5. A round is a question for each branch.
Power Grabs:
1. President - A serious economic crisis takes place in the U.S.
The President decides to run for a third term. (Amendment
22)
Congress - Congress passes a law taking 10% on lumber being
exported. (Article I, Section 9, Paragraph 5)
Courts - The Court rules that the government may not issue
patents because of the need for technological advance.