Project/ Constitution Tree

Summative Constitution Tree Project

Supplies Needed:

·  Supplies provided by the teacher

o  Construction paper

o  Liquid glue

o  Colored pencils

o  Crayons

·  Supplies provided by the student

o  Poster board (name on one side)

If preferred, students may also want to bring in the following

o  Glue sticks, colored markers, any additional decorative items

Directions:

On poster board, make a Constitutional Tree. Your tree should include the following:

a.  Tree Trunk

®  On the tree trunk, you will need to create signs which describe: (1) separation of powers (2) checks & balances.

b.  Three Branches

®  1st branch should be labeled Article I, the Legislative Branch.

®  2nd branch should be labeled Article II, the Executive Branch.

®  3rd branch should be labeled Article III, the Judicial Branch.

c.  Branches & Leaves

®  1st Branch. Create the Legislative Branch with two distinct smaller branches showing the structure of the bicameral legislature (House and Senate). On each of these two branches describe the qualifications/terms to be a Senator or a House member.

For your leaves, include the following:

a)  Majority, Minority and Seniority systemHouse and Senate LeadersNumber of members for the House and Senate

b)  LeaLeadership in the House and Senate

c)  Powers of Congress

®  2nd Branch. Create a branch for the Executive Branch. On that branch, describe the qualifications/terms to be President.

For your leaves, include the following:

a)  Order of Succession

b)  The roles of the President

c)  The powers of the President (include the powers to check other branches)

®  3rd Branch. Create a branch for the Judicial Branch. On that branch describe the structure of the Judicial Branch, as well as the qualifications/terms of the Justices.

For your leaves, include the following:

a)  The Powers of the Judicial Branch (include the powers to check other branches)

b)  Significance of Marbury v. Madison

c)  Information on the Supreme Court Justices

Project/ Constitution Tree

Grading Rubric: / Points
Tree / 20
Creativity & Neatness / 20
Content / 80
Trunk / 20
Branches / 20
Leaves / 40
100