With the Constitution, the Founding generation created the greatest charter of freedom in the history of the world. However, the Founding generation did not believe that it had a monopoly on constitutional wisdom. Therefore, the founders set out a formal amendment process that allowed later generations to revise our nation’s charter and “form a more perfect Union.” They wrote this process into Article V of the Constitution. Over time, the American people have used this amendment process 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. All told, we have ratified 27 constitutional amendments across American history.
Purpose
It isn’t easy to amend the Constitution. This was by design. The Founding generation wanted constitutional change to be possible, but they wanted to force reformers to secure broad support before altering our nation’s charter. In this activity, you will learn about the process for amending the Constitution, written into Article V.
Process
As a class, discuss the following questions:
Next, read Article V of the Constitution and discuss the amendment process as a class.
Finally, read the Article V Common Interpretation Essay and design a flowchart of the process for your classroom. To that end, complete the Activity Guide: The Article V Amendment Process worksheet to illustrate the steps needed to amend the Constitution.
As a class, return to one of the framing questions asked at the beginning of the activity:
Launch
Before the activity begins, have a brief conversation with the entire class about the constitutional amendment process. Here are a few discussion prompts to follow:
Next, present the text of Article V of the Constitution to all students. Have them read it and then discuss the following questions:
Finally, have students read the Article V Common Interpretation Essay and diagram the process on the Activity Guide: The Article V Amendment Process worksheet.
Activity Synthesis
Have students answer the following questions and then discuss as a class:
Purpose
In this activity, you will explore the mechanics of the Article V amendment process, explore four different periods of constitutional reform, and walk through all 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Process
Watch the following Amendments Walkthrough video.
Identify any areas that are unclear to you or where you would like further explanation. Be prepared to discuss your answers in a group and to ask your teacher any remaining questions.
Launch
Give students time to watch the video and answer the questions in the worksheet.
Activity Synthesis
Have the students share their responses in small groups and then discuss as a class.
Purpose
Throughout American history, “We the People” have amended our Constitution 27 times—transforming it in important ways. Through the Article V amendment process, we often make it a “more perfect” document. In this activity, you will learn more about key periods of constitutional change and explore the 27 amendments to the Constitution.
Process
Read the Info Brief: Periods of Constitutional Change and the 27 Amendments. Then, explore the various amendments to the Constitution by completing the Activity Guide: 27 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution worksheet in groups.
When you have completed this worksheet, play the 27 Amendments Matching Game with your group.
Launch
Before the activity begins, see if students can remember some of the amendments from the video. Project all 27 amendments on the board for students to see main groupings.
Then have students read the Info Brief: Periods of Constitutional Change and the 27 Amendments.
Activity Synthesis
As a class, have students share some of the most interesting facts about America’s 27 amendments. Then ask students to explore any big themes or patterns that they see across the various amendments. Share with students the groupings of amendments from the previous worksheet as a visual. Ask students to group the amendments in the category provided.
Activity Extension (optional)
After you review all 27 amendments, ask the students whether they see any other patterns or groupings other than by ratification year? Reshuffle to align under these groupings.