Our Federal System of Government
Session 5: Powers Denied National and State Governments

Materials

• Textbook
• Transparency: “Powers Denied to the National Government and to State Governments” (Attachment C)
• Chart paper and markers

Instructional Activities

1. Ask students to turn to Article I Section 9 in the Constitution of the United States and read the passage on powers denied Congress.
   
   
2. Explain that the powers of government at both the national and state levels are limited.
   
   
3. Display the transparency (Attachment C), and discuss some of the limits to government. Refer back to the principle of limited government discussed in the "Foundations of American Government" unit.
   
   
4. Create a chart comparing and contrasting the powers granted to and those denied to Virginia and the United States government.
   
   
5. Explain that The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the land. All laws (federal, state, and local) must abide by the Constitution.