Constitution
Teaching the Constitution
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Constitution Discussion & Essay Questions
Available to teachers only as part of the Teaching the Constitution Teacher Pass
$10.66
Teaching the Constitution Teacher Pass includes:
- Assignments & Activities
- Reading Quizzes
- Current Events & Pop Culture articles
- Discussion & Essay Questions
- Challenges & Opportunities
- Related Readings in Literature & History
Sample of Discussion and Essay Questions
- Principles of Government
- The framers of the Constitution walked a type of tightrope in attempting to create a government that was strong, but not too strong. Did they succeed?
- Are the powers of the federal government adequately limited?
- Are those in power mindful of the fact that “the people” are the source of their power?
- How do the people assert their will?
- Other than in elections?
- To what extent does public opinion shape government? To what extent does government (the president , Congress) shape public opinion?
- Are those in power mindful of the fact that “the people” are the source of their power?
- Are the powers of government still adequately separated?
- Is one branch more powerful than the others?
- Is this more true for some types of issues than others? i.e., foreign versus domestic policy?
- Does the balance of power between the branches shift?
- Issue by issue? Year by year?
- What sorts of factors influence the balance of power between the branches?
- Is one branch more powerful than the others?
- Have the separation of powers and system of checks and balances properly restrained the government?
- Or have they produced gridlock?
- If the executive was always a member of Congress’s majority party would government operate more effectively? Efficiently?
- What evidence of federalism do you see around you? What responsibilities are left to the states?
- Are the states up to the job?
- Has the federal government encroached on these responsibilities?
- For the better or worse?
