Power+Grab+Game

Adapted from a Lesson by Don M. Carlson, Columbia River High School, Vancouver, WA http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/power_grab_game/
 * [[image:http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/power_grab_game/media/pres-sea.gif align="center"]] || THE U.S. CONSTITUTION POWER GRAB GAME

|| || [|**TEACHER NOTES**]

The highest law of the land in the United States is the Constitution. This is why you spend so much time learning about it in school. This activity will increase your knowledge of the Constitution and it's fundamental ideas: checks and balances, separation of powers, Bill of Rights and amendments. When finished you will be able to:
 * 1) Identify the three branches of American government.
 * 2) Describe the function of each branch of government.
 * 3) Explain how the "checks and balances" system functions to protect the individual citizen from illegal power hungary politicians.
 * 4) Describe how each branch of government is "separate" in its powers to the other branches of government.
 * 5) Explain how the amendments to the Constitution function today.

You be the judge of the Constitutional powers of each branch of government by participating:

__**The Power Game**__ -- Checks and Balances in the Constitution:
 * 1) Divide your class into three groups: Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government. Each student should have a copy of the Constitution.
 * 2) In each round the teacher will give each branch of government an opportunity for an unconstitutional "Power Grab". The remaining two groups have two minutes to find proof from the Constitution (amendments included) by Article, section and clause, why the power grab is unconstitutional.
 * 3) When a person thinks he finds the appropriate check he yells "check". He must be prepared to respond with the answer immediately. If wrong, others may try to block the grab for power with the two minutes, alternating between branches until the two minutes are gone or the answer is correct.
 * 4) When checked correctly, the branch receives 10 points. If no one gets the correct answer, the branch grabbing power gets 5 points. No penalty for wrong answers.
 * 5) A round is a question for each branch.

__**Power Grabs**__**:** >> __Congress__ - Congress passes a law taking 10% on lumber being exported. >> __Courts__ - The Court rules that the government may not issue patents because of the need for technological advance. >> __Congress__ - Congress passes a law that people from Washington may not drive cars in Oregon because of pollution. >> __Courts__ - Since Washington D.C. is not in any state, residents there may not vote in national elections. >> __Congress__ - Congress impeaches Bush because he pardons North. The Democratic Congress uses their anger to get him. >> __Courts__ - The Court rules that because of our large national debt, the U.S. can no longer borrow money. >> __Congress__ - Congress decides that beards are illegal; anyone who wore one in the last year must pay a $100 fine. >> __Courts__ - The Court decides that religion and politics don't mix, therefore; no government official is required to take an oath of office. >> __Congress__ - Congress decides to impeach President Bush with the President Pro-Temp of the Senate presiding. >> __Courts__ - The ambassador to Spain is brought home and tried in a New York court for crimes. >> __Congress__ - A House member dies, the House takes four days off to mourn but the Senate says they can only have two days off. >> __Courts__ - The Court rules that the heads of departments may no longer make appointments of inferior officers, but only the President of the U.S. >> __Congress__ - Congress passes a law naming 15 university students guilty of crimes against the government - orders them expelled from school. >> __Courts__ - A male teacher sues over sexual discrimination by taking the case directly to the Supreme Court. >> __Congress__ - Congress passes a law that says you can sue your state in federal court. >> __Courts__ - The Court rules that income tax is illegal and you don't have to pay. >> __Congress__ - Congress decides because of the contributions of Pete Rose in baseball, they will honor him with the title, "Sir Pete Rose". >> __Courts__ - The Court rules that because of the difficulty in finding honest, law abiding, candidates they will allow Senator Mark Hatfield to be Secretary of Interior. >> __Congress__ - Congress decides to change the Constitution to allow the President to be elected to one term of six years. >> __Courts__ - The Courts find Poindexter guilty of treason on the basis of testimony of Ollie North, alone.
 * 1) __President__ - A serious economic crisis takes place in the U.S. The President decides to run for a third term.
 * 1) __President__ - The President declares war on China.
 * 1) __President__ - The President appoints Dan Evans to Senator Adams' seat when he resigns due to a personal scandal.
 * 1) __President__ - To fight terrorism, anyone found guilty of hijacking will be punished by having their fingernails ripped off.
 * 1) __President__ - The President decides that Congress will meet in regular session on December 15 of each year.
 * 1) __President__ - The President orders that a mass murderer be sent back to Washington from Oregon.
 * 1) __President__ - Paul Newman comes to town and cuts off the heads of all parking meter. President Bush pardons him.
 * 1) __President__ - Your land is in the way of a federal highway, so the President takes your land without compensation.
 * 1) __President__ - The President orders that since all citizens over 18 want to vote for the President, they may do so by popular vote.
 * 1) __President__ - The President, concerned about drug violations in the state of Washington, allows the Governor and Attorney General to suspend democracy for a period of one month.