SS.7.CG.1.8

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Explain the purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Students will explain how the Preamble serves as an introduction to the U.S. Constitution (e.g., establishes the goals and purposes of government).

Clarification 2: Students will identify the goals and purposes of the national government as set forth in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (i.e., form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity).

Clarification 3: Students will recognize that the intention of the phrase “We the People” means that government depends on the people for its power and exists to serve them.

General Information
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade: 7
Strand: Civics and Government
Standard: Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of government, law and the American political system.
Date Adopted or Revised: 05/24
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2106010: M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106015: M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106016: M/J Civics & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106020: M/J Civics, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106025: M/J Civics, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106026: M/J Civics, Advanced & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821023: Access M/J Civics and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821021: Access M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2106029: M/J Civics and Digital Technologies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100045: M/J United States History & Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2104050: M/J Introduction to Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SS.7.CG.1.AP.8: Identify the six goals and purposes highlighted in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

The Art of Beautiful Handwriting:

Students will discuss how handwriting conveys the importance of a phrase. They will create a sketch to capture the meaning of “We the People” using the fitting mediums of calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts in this integrated art and civics lesson plan. 

 

Type: Lesson Plan

An Introduction to the U.S. Constitution:

In this lesson plan, students will learn about the U.S. Constitution, with an emphasis on the Preamble, while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting an exit ticket.

Type: Lesson Plan

America’s Founding Principles:

In this lesson plan, students will trace the principles underlying America’s founding ideas on laws and government while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt.

Type: Lesson Plan

We the People: What the Founders Established:

In this lesson plan, students will study the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. They will learn about its purpose and examine what the Founders hoped to establish and preserve for their own generation as well as future generations of Americans. Students will apply their knowledge of vocabulary skills to determine the connotative and denotative meanings of selected words used in the Preamble. Students will also practice their paraphrasing skills by paraphrasing the Preamble. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Deconstructing the Preamble:

In this lesson plan, students will begin by participating in a visual discovery.  Students will then take notes about, discuss, and deconstruct the Preamble.  Then, to check their knowledge, students will answer questions about the different parts of the Preamble.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Preamble and the People:

In this lesson plan, teachers will assist students in exploring the vocabulary of the Preamble, the goals and purpose of U.S. government, and people’s power in the constitutional system.

Type: Lesson Plan

Goals & Purposes of the Preamble:

In this lesson plan, students will identify the goals and purposes of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, explain how the Preamble serves to introduce the U.S. Constitution and interpret the various meanings of “We the People.” 

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Understanding the Preamble:

Analyze the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution -- line by line, word by word -- in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Teaching Idea

Grade 7 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1:

This Grade 7 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 1 at this grade level.

Type: Teaching Idea

Video/Audio/Animation

Portraits in Patriotism - Luis Martínez Fernández: Middle - High School:

Luis Martínez-Fernández was born at the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. Dr. Martínez-Fernández immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 2 years old after the Bay of Pigs Invasion. His family moved to Lima, Peru after his father was offered employment there. Dr. Martínez-Fernández’s family left Peru after the President of Peru was ousted from power. The new government in Peru concerned Dr. Martínez-Fernández’s father and the family moved to Puerto Rico where they become U.S. Citizens. Dr. Martínez-Fernández moved to the U.S. after graduation from The University of Puerto Rico. He is a Professor of History, an author, and is civically engaged through his nationally syndicated column.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Original Student Tutorials Social Studies - Civics - Grades 6-8

Understanding the Preamble:

Analyze the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution -- line by line, word by word -- in this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Understanding the Preamble:

Analyze the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution -- line by line, word by word -- in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Teaching Idea

Grade 7 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1:

This Grade 7 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 1 at this grade level.

Type: Teaching Idea