What Teachers Need to Know

This section examines some of the basic values and principles of American democracy, in both theory and practice, as defined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, both in historical context and in terms of present-day practice. In examining the significance of the U.S. Constitution, introduce students to the unique nature of the American experiment, the difficult task of establishing a democratic government, and the compromises the framers of the Constitution were willing to make. In order to appreciate the boldness and fragility of the American attempt to establish a republican government based on a constitution, students should know that republican governments were rare at this time. Discuss with students basic questions and issues about government, such as: • Why do societies need government? • Why does a society need laws? • Who makes the laws in the United States? • What might happen in the absence of government and laws? • Where do people in government get the authority to make, apply, and enforce rules and laws? Students began their exploration of these questions in Kindergarten. Add to them the issue of power versus authority.