1. Foundations of Government*
Political Principles
(Students given definitions to copy)
• Consent of the governed: The people are the source of any and all
governmental power.
• Limited government: Government is not all-powerful and may do only
those things the people have given it the power to do.
• Rule of law: The government and those who govern are bound by the
law, as are those who are governed.
• Democracy: In a democratic system of government, the people rule.
• Representative government: In a representative system of government,
the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct
government on the people’s behalf.
Create a chart that list words/concepts to look for (create on board to
copy)
Consent of Limited Rule of Democracy Representative
the Government Law Government
Governed
People NOT Everyone Government Officeholders
Power Cannot do Govern People Behalf
Law Government
Conduct
Historical Documents
Create a chart that highlights major points of documents.
Charters of the VA Company of Established a colony in VA
London Settled Jamestown
Written by King James I
Allowed a company to create a
colony

2. Promoted English citizens to
become colonists
Discussed rights of colonists
VA Declaration of Rights Written by George Mason
Listed Rights
Gave Virginians rights
Model for the Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence Declared colonies independent
Listed reasons colonies did not like
the King of England
Stated Unalienable rights (life,
liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness)
All men are created equal
Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft
Governments are institutions of
men (Consent of the Governed)
Virginia Statute for Religious Written by Thomas Jefferson
Freedom Written for Virginia
Allowed people to believe in their
own religious beliefs
Articles of Confederation First national government
Weak central government
State government had power
Created a confederation of the
newly independent states
National government could not tax
nor enforce laws
Led to the writing of the U.S.
Constitution.
Students received a fill in the blank sheet that we went over in class
together. This sheet listed the documents and their major points.

3. Preamble
The preamble was put on the board section by section and students were
to write the explanation of each part.
We the people
Establish the idea that the power of government comes from the people
of the United States of America
in order to form a more perfect union,
Create a better government
establish justice,
Create courts/laws
insure domestic tranquility,
Peace at home
provide for the common defense,
Defend the nation
promote the general welfare,
Create a government for the wellbeing of the people, health, happiness,
safety
and secure the blessings of liberty
Freedoms
to ourselves and our posterity
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
Amending the U.S. Constituion
Graph the process
Proposal Ratification
2/3 Congress ¾ States
VA: Proposal by General Assembly VA: Ratification by Voters
There are 27 Amendment
The Amendment Process is complex

4. First Amendment
Students listed the first amendment rights, wrote what they believed they
meant then we went through each right provided the definition and
discussed.
• Religion: Government may not establish an official religion, endorse an
official religion, or unduly interfere with the free exercise of religion.
• Speech: Individuals are free to express their opinions and beliefs.
• Press: The press has the right to gather and publish information, including
that which criticizes the government.
• Assembly: Individuals may peacefully gather.
• Petition: Individuals have the right to make their views known to public
officials.
*Students have also received the material to put this information on
flashcards. The information may provide them with the terms and
definitions or a question and the answer.