#Academic

Understanding our government by looking at how it was set up in 1787 and how it still gets used every day in America. This course looks way back to make sense of what is happening in America today.

Do you find yourself saying, “The President can’t do that! He has to go through Congress.” Likely, you’re right. And that’s because of the Constitution.

From the Preamble to the last Amendment, the United States Constitution is still the law of the land. Come on a journey with us as we delve into what the constitution says, what it means, and how it is the driving force behind what the U.S. Government can do and what they cannot do.

The Constitution is not just some document that was written on fancy paper and sits under glass. Every day there are examples of how this document is the lifeblood of our country, from the guarantees of the first amendment that allows people to speak their mind to the first article, which gives Congress the ability to limit the President’s power.

While we will cover the entire Constitution, the majority of our focus will be on the first three Articles of the Constitution (The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches) and the Bill of Rights.


Each week the class meeting will consist of two parts. First, learning the part of the Constitution that is being covered and then exploring current applications.  These will be led by lecture and PowerPoint that presents key information and provides opportunities for discussion.  Between each lesson, students will be required to read the part of The Constitution that is covered that week and then do their own inquiry and research to find current examples. There will be guiding activities, which may be an escape room challenge, a scavenger hunt, or an inquiry (document-based) lesson.  Additionally, evidence of learning will be submitted to the teacher through the Outschool class page.
 
At the end of each section, as is shown in the weekly breakdown, students will take a quiz to show mastery of the subject.

Please inform the teacher upfront if you will need a final grade for the course.
Note that minimum enrollment to hold class is 4 students.