After studying the amendments to the Constitution, students propose a new amendment.
Objectives
Students gain a greater understanding of the amendments to the Constitution. Students demonstrate critical thinking and creative thinking skills in developing a new amendment.
Keywords
amendment, Constitution, critical thinking
Materials Needed
paper, pens; PowerPoint software (optional); copies of the amendments to the Constitution from textbook or library sources or printed from the following sites:
Note: This lesson might work as a culminating activity for a unit of study on the amendments to the Constitution.
Review and discuss with students the important points of the amendments to the Constitution. Discuss the guidelines for adding a new amendment to the Constitution.
Tell students to imagine that they have been appointed to committees to create a new amendment. Have students brainstorm ideas for the new the amendment. (If students have difficulty thinking of ideas, start the discussion with a suggestion; for example, an amendment for children.) Write their ideas on the board.
Divide the class into small groups. Have each group choose one of the ideas. Students work together to create a proposal for their idea and present it to the class.
Variation: If you have access to PowerPoint, have students create their proposals as PowerPoint presentations.
Assessment
After listening to the presentations, have each student write down the one amendment he or she thinks should be added to the Constitution. Tally the choices and note the top choice on the board.
