The FRAME Routine
Key Topic
is about…
the similarities and differences between the Texas and U.S. Constitutions.
Main Idea
Main Idea
Main Idea
Essential Details
Essential Details
Essential Details
So What? (What’s important to understand about this?)
Strategic Instruction Model (SIM™) University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning (KUCRL.org)
Constitutional Comparison
The FRAME Routine
Key Topic
is about…
the similarities and differences between the Texas and U.S. Constitutions.
Main Idea
Main Idea
Main Idea
U.S. Constitution
Similarities
Texas Constitution
Essential Details
Essential Details
Essential Details
U.S. Constitution has not
been rewritten
 Has strong separation of
powers & strong Legislative,
Executive, Judicial branches
U.S Constitution has 7
articles
Bill of rights has a separate
section
Highest law of the land
US signers were from
different states

Both written to form new
government
 Both have a Preamble
 Show republicanism by electing
representatives to legislatures
 Limited government
 3 branches of government
 Both have Bill of Rights with list
of individual rights.
State constitutions have been
rewritten several times
Has weak separation of powers
because of plural executive (the
division of the governor’s power
among several other elected
officials) Limits governor power
TX. Constitution has 17 articles
Bill of rights is imbedded in
constitution
May not make laws that go against
the U.S. Constitution
 The group involved in the writing
of the Constitution is generally
referred to as the "framers".
Signers were from different
countries
 Government of laws, not men
Governor has more limits on
powers (more limited power)
So What? (What’s important to understand about this?) Texans value freedom and liberty. The U.S. Constitution influenced the
structure and function of the Texas Constitutions through limited government, republicanism, the separation of powers and the
bill of rights.
Strategic Instruction Model (SIM™) University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning (KUCRL.org)
Constitutional
Comparison