Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution is a powerful document that outlines the structure of the government and the rights of its citizens. It is a living document that can be amended to reflect the changing needs of society. Amendments are big laws that bring about significant changes, and they are added to the Constitution through a formal process outlined in Article V. Learning about how the Constitution is amended is an important lesson in understanding the mechanics of constitutional change and the rights and duties of citizens. This lesson plan will explore the history of amendments, the reasons behind them, and the process of proposing and ratifying changes to the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lesson Plan Name | How Our Constitution is Amended |
| Target Audience | Middle school learners, adaptable for all ages |
| Lesson Plan Availability | Available online |
| Lesson Plan Format | Text, video, audio |
| Lesson Plan Duration | Variable |
| Lesson Plan Topics | Constitutional amendments, individual rights, amendment process, supreme law of the land, Article V, Bill of Rights, women's suffrage, civic engagement, active citizenship, powers and limitations of government |
| Learning Activities | Group work, research, analysis, discussion, reflection, proposal creation, video clips, worksheets, games |
| Learning Resources | National Archives, iCivics, Google Docs, PBS NewsHour Classroom, Constitution Center, NPS |
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What You'll Learn
The process of amending the constitution
The process of amending the US Constitution is formally outlined in Article V of the Constitution. While laws can be changed through other methods, constitutional amendments are rare. This is because the Founding Fathers wanted constitutional change to be possible, but also wanted to make sure that any changes had broad support.
To amend the Constitution, two-thirds of both houses of Congress must pass the amendment. Alternatively, an amendment can pass with a two-thirds vote at a national convention, although this has never happened before. Amendments are usually only needed to change or clarify something that the Constitution specifically says. The Constitution is a short document, fewer than 20 pages in most booklet versions, and outlines the structure of the government. Most of the time, changing a law does not require changing the Constitution.
There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution in total. The first 10 of these are called the Bill of Rights, and were added before the states ratified the Constitution. Amendments have been used to transform the Constitution by adding a Bill of Rights, abolishing slavery, promising freedom and equality, and extending the right to vote to women and African Americans.
In a lesson plan, students could be asked to draft a proposed amendment to the Constitution. They could consider a right or freedom that they think needs to be protected, or a function of the Constitution that needs to be revised. Students could also be asked to identify key steps in the process through which the Constitution is amended, and to distinguish between fact, opinion, and reasoned judgement in arguments for proposed amendments.
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The Bill of Rights
The first five amendments define the rights and restrictions that citizens are entitled to. The First Amendment protects the right to speak and worship freely, and prohibits Congress from making laws establishing religion or impeding free speech. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens' right to privacy in their homes, requiring a warrant for government intrusion. Students can learn about the Bill of Rights by reading and summarising the original document, and by studying the exact language of the amendments to understand their interpretation and impact on daily life. They can also create illustrations with captions directly quoting from the amendments.
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The 14th Amendment
The amendment also addresses representation and voting rights. It states that representatives shall be apportioned among the states according to their respective numbers, excluding untaxed Indians. Additionally, it addresses the right to vote in elections for choosing electors, representatives, and officers. If this right is denied or abridged for male citizens over 21, except in cases of rebellion or other crimes, the basis of representation will be reduced proportionally.
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The role of the constitution as the supreme law
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It is the source of all government powers and provides limitations on the government to protect the fundamental rights of US citizens. The writers of the Constitution wanted to ensure that it could be amended if enough people agreed that a change was needed. However, they also wanted to make sure that this was a challenging process.
Article VI of the Constitution establishes it as the supreme law of the land, and Article III, Section I states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." The Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, but it permits Congress to decide how to organise it. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. It is the highest court in the land, serving as the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It also has the power of judicial review, which ensures that each branch of government recognises its limitations.
The Constitution divides the power of government into three branches, with checks and balances in place to ensure that no one branch gains too much power. The three branches are the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President. The House of Representatives represents the people, apportioned by population, while the Senate represents the states, with each state having equal representation. The President is elected by the Electoral College.
The Constitution also outlines the relationship between the states. States are required to give "full faith and credit" to the laws, records, contracts, and judicial proceedings of other states. Congress may regulate the manner in which states share records and define the scope of this clause. States are prohibited from discriminating against citizens of other states and cannot enact tariffs against one another. They must also extradite those accused of crimes to other states for trial.
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The constitution and the three branches of government
The US Constitution is a document that outlines the structure of the government and its powers and limitations. It is considered the "supreme law of the land", meaning that the government must follow it. The Constitution is divided into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branch. Each branch has its own unique role and responsibilities.
The legislative branch, also known as Congress, is responsible for creating and passing laws. It is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch also has the power to amend the Constitution through a formal amendment process outlined in Article V. This process is deliberately challenging, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress for an amendment to be approved.
The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws created by the legislative branch. It is led by the President, who is the head of state and government. The President also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and is responsible for conducting foreign policy. The executive branch also includes the Vice President and the Cabinet, which is made up of the heads of various government departments and agencies.
The judicial branch interprets the laws and ensures that they are applied fairly and consistently. It is comprised of the federal court system, with the Supreme Court at the top. The Supreme Court has the power to declare laws unconstitutional and can also play a role in amending the Constitution by striking down laws that conflict with it.
The process of amending the Constitution is a significant aspect of the US government's functioning. While laws can be changed or repealed by the legislative and judicial branches, amending the Constitution itself is a more complex and rare process. Over 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress, but only 27 amendments have been approved since the Constitution was first drafted. These amendments have transformed the nation by adding a Bill of Rights, abolishing slavery, promising freedom and equality, and extending voting rights to women and African Americans.
In summary, the three branches of the US government work together to create, enforce, and interpret laws, with the Constitution serving as the foundation and supreme law. The process of amending the Constitution allows for necessary changes and clarifications to be made, ensuring that the nation can "form a more perfect Union".
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