Warm Up

Have out your notes from last class titled “What is Civics”

We will discuss this and go over the answers.

Warm-up: Functions of government

Fundamental Principles

Of American Government

1. What are the 5 fundamental principles of American government?

2. Define each principles and recognize how it is used in your daily life.

Daily objectives

What are some fundamentals that you work on in PE class or when you are practicing a sport or some other activity?

Preview

The basic ideas that are the foundation of American Government are:

Rule of Law Limited Government Consent of the Governed Democracy Representative Government

Fundamental Principles

On the worksheet provided

1. Read in the textbook on page 11 and write down a definition of each principle in the “What it says” column.

2. Then take a moment to think about what it means. In the next column, write down what you think that definition means in your own words.

3. Finally, write down how you think this principle in used in government or your daily life.

Individual Activity

What it says

All people including those who govern are

bound by the law

What it meansEveryone must follow the rules even our leaders

Examples

Rule of Law

What it says

Government is not all powerful- it

may only do those things people have given it the power to do

What it meansGovernment is only as powerful

as the people allow it to be

Examples

Limited Government

What it says

American citizens are the source of all government

power

What it meansPeople allow the

government to rule for them

Examples

Consent of the Governed

What it says

Government in which the people hold the power

to rule

What it meansThe people have a

voice in government

Examples

Democracy

What it says

People elect government

leaders to make laws and govern on their behalf

What it meansPeople elect officials to run

the government

Examples

Representative Government

Word What it Says What it Means How is this principle used in government or your daily life?

RULE OF LAWall people including those who govern are bound by the law

Everyone has to follow the laws

LIMITED GOVERNMENT

Government is not all powerful- it may only do those things that people have given it the power to do

Government does what the people tell it to do

CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED

citizens are the sourceof all government power

People allow the government to rule for them

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

People elect leaders to make the laws and govern on their behalf

People elect leaders to lead for them

DEMOCRACYGovernment in which the people rule

The people have the voice in government

Fundamental Principles of American Democracy

With the classmates at your table, complete the Chart Activity.

You are using critical thinking skills and applying what you know!

Practice Activity

People elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct business

on their behalf.

The government is not all powerful- it can only do certain things.

People give their permission for the government to have power.

The government and those who govern are bound by the law.

The people rule the government.

The government has limitations on its’ power.

The government and those who govern must obey the law.

Citizens rule the government in America.

The people elect others to make laws.

People are the source of government power.

Everyone, even officeholders, have to follow the law.

The government can only do what citizens give it permission to do.

We elect other people to make decisions on our behalf.

Citizens have the power and freedom in the United States

government.

The government cannot do anything it wants – there are

restrictions.

Because he is protected by the 1st amendment Jack feels safe protesting the War in Iraq.

residents elected Mr. Delguadio to represent them on the Board of

Supervisors.

President Obama asks Congress to approve his new healthcare bill.

Each November citizens make government decisions by voting.

The president is given a speeding ticket.

“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s

consent.”  Abe Lincoln

“’We the people’ tell the government what to do, it doesn’t tell us.”  Ronald

Reagan

“Power in human hands will ever be liable to abuse.”  James Madison

“There is nothing more corrupting…than the exercise of unlimited

power.”  William Henry Harrison

“Officeholders are the agents of the people, not their masters.”  Grover

You will create a Flip Book of the Fundamental Principles.

You will need: 3 sheets of computer paper Markers, colored pencils

Wait for instructions by the teacher.

Homework Activity

Rule of Law

•Write definition

•Draw a picture

•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition

Limited

Government

•Write definition

•Draw a picture

•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition

Consent of the

Governed

•Write definition

•Draw a picture

•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition

Representat

ive Government

•Write definition

•Draw a picture

•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition

Democracy

•Write definition

•Draw a picture

•Write a sentence using the term but not use the definition

Fundamental Principles of American Democracy Flip Book

1. Can you name the 5 fundamental principles of American government?

2. Can you define each of the fundamental principles or at least recognize and match the definitions and terms?

3. Can you apply how the principles are used?

Objective Check

Your Flip Book isDue at the end of Next

class

QUIZ ON INTRO CIVICS IN 2 CLASSES

Homework