WebQuest: The US Constitution

WebQuest:
The US
Constitution
5th Grade Montessori 2nd
Quarter Upper Elementary
Field Trip Webquest
Introduction
Th Forefathers
The
F
f th
off this
thi country
t wrote
t an
extremely important document.
It is called the Constitution of the United States
of America.
America
Task
In this short WebQuest we will learn about the United
States Constitution.
We will learn about our
Federal System of Government.
We will learn about
the three branches
of our government.
government
Process 1: The Constitution
Read and answer questions in your Webquest The constitution was written almost 250 years ago at the Constitutional Convention.
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It was written by delegates, or men were elected to come and speak for the different
states. More than half of the delegates
were lawyers They were all white
were lawyers. They were all white men. All the delegates wanted to give rights and freedoms to the people that lived in their states. But some came from large states and some came from small
large states and some came from small
States. They wanted different things for the people of their states.
There were many plans and many heated arguments. Finally a compromise
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was reached. h d
This compromise is our Constitution of the United States. List two of the comprises written into the constitution. The delegates knew the Constitution of the United States
was a very important document.
They chose every word very carefully.
The beginning
Th
b i i
off the
th constitution
tit ti
is
i called
ll d the
th Preamble.
P
bl
On your Worksheet, answer why you think the delegates
began the Constitution with the words, “We the People”.
Process 2: A Federal Government
The constitution set up a federal system of government.
In a federal system of government power is shared between
the central government (federal) and the states
Federal
US Capital Building
State
Arizona Capital Building
So both the States and Federal governments have powers.
What do the States have p
power
over?
Here are clues: Write what you think are the
answers on your Worksheet
What does the Federal Government
have power over?
Here are clues: Write what you think are the
answers on your Worksheet
Process 3: Checks and Balances
The Constitution divides the
government into three groups
or branches:
•The
Executive Branch
•The Legislative Branch
•The Judicial Branch
By needing to work together
between the three branhes,
the delegates kept just
j st one
branch of government from
getting too much power.
P
Process
4
4: The
Th Legilative
L il ti Branch
B
h
The legislative branch of government is the branch
that makes laws for our states and nation.
As a school, the state law says
children come to school to learn.
In your classroom YOU are probably
also part of the legislative branch.
You and your teacher decide
what some of the rules of your
classroom and playground will be.
On your Worksheet answer the questions about the
legislative branch in our nation,
nation schools
schools, and homes.
homes
Process 5: The Executive Branch
The executive branch of Government makes sure
that the laws of the United States are obeyed. The
President of the United States is the
head of the executive branch of
government.
t
This branch is very large
so the President gets help
from the Vice President,
department heads (which
are called Cabinet Members),
and heads of independent agencies.
There is also an executive branch in
states and cities.
Who makes sure the laws are followed?
Is it just one person?
Is it many people?
At Drachman, who makes certain the
laws are followed?
Who makes up
p the executive branch?
Is it just one person?
Is it many people?
In your own family,
who makes certain
the laws are
followed?
Who makes up the
executive
i
branch?
b
h?
Is it just one person?
Is it many people?
Answer the questions
on your worksheet
Process 6: The Judicial Branch
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The Judicial Branch is the third
branch of government.
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It uses the court system of the
United States. Through court
cases, the judicial branch
explains
l i th
the meaning
i
off th
the
Constitution and laws passed
by Congress.
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At Drachman, we use the
PeaceTable as the Judicial
Branch. Students try to solve
their problems together.
If this is not possible, then
your teacher or Dr. Celaya
become the Judicial Branch.
Process 7: Court Systems
All branches of government are complex. Think of your math or science book. There are many chapters. Each chapter has many topics. h
E h h
h
i
Each topic has many details. The branches of government are like that too. There are many different parts to each branch
different parts to each branch. In the judicial system of government, there are actually many court systems: There is a
are actually many court systems: There is a federal court system and 50 state systems. Many states also have many different kinds of y
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courts such as city courts, probate courts, family law courts, juvenile courts, and small claims courts.
There are also different kinds of law suits and hearing. (In legal terms, a suit is request for a trial. It is not a fancy type of clothing!)
There is a lot of legal vocabulary that is associated with a law suit. Some of There
is a lot of legal vocabulary that is associated with a law suit Some of
these words will be bolded on the WebQuest. They are also on your worksheet. Write down what they mean. If you are confused about what the word means, click on the hyperlink, look it up in it up in a dictionary or ask a friend or adult
look it up in it up in a dictionary, or ask a friend or adult. }
}
Typically if you get in a conflict with a another person, you would file for a civil suit. You want that person to “make it right” with you, usually by paying money. Less serious crimes become civil suits. A list of them can be seen by clicking on the hyperlink.
Sometimes a criminal suit is filed. In this situation you want the person punished, usually by going to jail. More serious crimes ih d
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i t j il M
i
i
becomes criminal suits. A list of them can be seen by clicking on the hyperlink.
Beginning a court case
If someone has a problem, they usually go to a lawyer or attorney. The lawyer will represent their side of the issue. This is like when you “take a friend with you” to talk with someone at the Peace Table. If you don’t want a lawyer, you can go by yourself and represent yourself. To begin the process, the plaintiff files a complaint with the court . A copy of the complaint is also given to the defendant. A plaintiff may a. seek money to compensate for the injury, or k
t
t f th i j
b. may ask the court to order the defendant to stop the conduct that is causing the harm. Lawyers or judges often encourage the two parties to solve their problems outside of court. They talk it out with someone and come to an agreement. This is called using mediation or arbitration. . Montessori kids have skills in doing this. When you go to the Peace Table,
or without a friend to try to work things out, you are using mediation and arbitration. B
Bench
h Trial
T i l or Jury
J
Trial
Ti l
If a case is not settled out of court you may go to court. If the case is being tried before a judge without a jury it is known as a "bench" trial and the judge will decide the outcome. The Constitution also often allows you to request a jury trial. If a jury is requested, the jury If
a jury is requested the jury
will hear the court case. A jury is made of citizens who do not know either the plaintiff or the defendant. Every US citizen can be asked to be on a jury. It is both your legal right and legal responsibility
,
Both the plaintiff and the defendant have a chance to share their side. }
As the questioning of a witness proceeds, the opposing attorney may object to a question. They object if the question invites the witness to say something that is not based on the witness'ss personal knowledge, say something that is not based on the witness
personal knowledge,
might unfairly influence the jury, or is not important to the case. }
The judge rules on the objection, generally by ruling that the j g
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objection is sustained (the question was improper and the jury should not consider it) or the objection is overruled, meaning the question was ok. Everything that is said in the courtroom is written down by the court reporter. At the conclusion of the evidence, each side gives a closing argument.
In a jury trial, the jury makes the decision. They decide if the defendant is responsible for harming the plaintiff in some way, and then to determine the amount of damages that the defendant will be required to pay. Finally, if someone does not agree with Fi
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d
t
ith
how the case was settled, they sometimes may appeal the decision. The case would be taken to an Appellate court, and the process pp
p
would start over. Court cases are expenses. Many lawyers make $200 or more each hour. Typically, you must pay for your own lawyer. Questions
} We
will be doing a field trip to the Superior
Court Building.
} On
your worksheet, list 3 questions you
have that you might get answered on the
field trip.
trip
C
Conclusion
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Reflect on what you have learned about the United States
Constitution and its three Branches of Government
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Evaluation
United States Constitution Webquest
Grading Scale
1. I completely and accurately filled
out the worksheet.
4
3
2
1
2. My writings are well-done, accurate,
and clear about what I learned from
the WebQuest.
4
3
2
1
3. My three questions are strong and
will
ill help
h l me understand
d t d th
the jjudicial
di i l
system even better.
4
3
2
1
Circle the score you think you deserve. Then the teacher will highlight the answers on your worksheet that exceeds (4) or meet (3) with a green highlighter. Answers that approach (2) or fall far below (1) will be highlighted with a pink highlighter.
highlighted with a pink highlighter.

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