A Living Constitution
How can citizens have an active role in changing the Constitution?
In this lesson, students investigate how the Constitution balances stability and change through the amendment process and civic participation. Through analysis of Article V, historical amendments, and case studies of social movements, students examine how citizens have influenced constitutional change over time. Students evaluate why the amendment process is intentionally difficult, explore how civic action can lead to reform, and consider the role of individuals and groups in shaping a living Constitution.
Objectives:
- Students will be able to understand the amendment process.
- Students will be able to identify how the process lends itself to constitutional balance and stability
- Students will be able to analyze and evaluate movements in history where citizens’ actions have led to constitution change.
Assessment:
- Students will be able to understand the amendment process
- Flowchart Completion
- Students fill in missing steps of the amendment process
- (Proposal → Congress/Convention → Ratification → Law)
- 3–2–1 Exit Ticket
- 3 steps of the process
- 2 ways amendments are proposed
- 1 reason it is difficult to amend
- Sequencing Activity
- Cut-and-paste or digital drag-and-drop of steps in correct order
- Explain in Your Own Words
- “Describe how an amendment becomes part of the Constitution.”
- Students will be able to identify how the process lends itself to constitutional balance and stability
- T-Chart
- Left: Why the process allows change
- Right: Why the process protects stability
- Claim-Evidence Sentence Starter
- “The amendment process creates stability because…”
- “It still allows change because…”
- Short CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) Paragraph
- Prompt:
How does the amendment process balance change and stability?
- Prompt:
Resources
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