Amending the Constitution(s)

SOL 2D

Objective: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of American constitutional government by identifying the procedures for amending the United States Constitution and the Virginia Constitution.

Homework: Read the iCivics reader "Citizenship: Just the Facts and take notes using the graphic organizer.

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Class Time Line:

1. CNN Student News/Planners

2. Review: "We the People..."

3. Planner Notes: Article 5 (Review the diagram of the amendment process)

4. Amend It: Using the Power Point we will see if we can pass recent Constitutional amendments introduced in Congress. We will divide the class into Congress and the States and walk through the two steps of the amendment process.

5. 15 Minutes: Silent Speed Ball

Big Take Aways:

1. The Constitution has been amended 27 times.

2. There are two steps: Proposal and Ratification (know the chart)

3. Virginia's amendment process includes the General Assembly and the voters.

3. Not only has Virginia's Constitution been amended, but it has been through several major rewrites.