4.6 – Reading #4: Putting It All Together
Click the start button below to listen to a recording of Module 4 Reading Text [or listen as your teacher reads] OR take just a couple of minutes to scan the text again quickly. Think about any words or information you still have questions about. Then discuss the critical thinking questions as a class.
READING TEXT
Module 4: U.S. Constitution
America became an independent country after a war with the British in the late 1700s. This war was called the American Revolution. When the United States became independent, it needed to build its government. The first national government that was created was very weak. There was no president, the government could not collect taxes, and each state made all of its own laws. This was a very unbalanced system. Leaders thought the United States needed a stronger central government of all the states.
In May 1787, these leaders held a convention, or meeting, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to write a constitution. Their goal was to write a plan that made the central government (called the “federal government”) stronger, but also gave power to the states. There was much discussion and compromise on what to include in the United States Constitution. The Constitution was finally ratified, or accepted, by 9 of the 13 states. By 1789, the Constitution was in use and George Washington was elected the first president of the United States. He is called the “Father of our Country”.
The Constitution is the supreme (or highest) law in the United States. It is more powerful than all state laws. The Constitution describes how the federal government works. It also describes the freedoms and rights of all people living in the U.S.
The main parts of the Constitution are the preamble, the articles, and the amendments. The preamble, or introduction, explains the purpose (or reason) why they wrote the document. The first words in the Constitution, “We the People,” show that the people, not the states or the government, decided to write it. It also says that the people will be elected to make laws. The preamble also makes it clear that the freedoms described in the Constitution are for the present time and for the future. The next part of the Constitution is called the articles. This section describes the federal government.
The final section of the Constitution is the amendments. Amendments are changes or additions to the Constitution. There have been 27 amendments since the Constitution was first written. Amending the Constitution is not an easy process. The U.S. Congress must introduce new amendments and a number of states must vote in agreement to accept them.
The United States Constitution is one of the oldest constitutions still in use today and its ideas have influenced other countries’ constitutions. It is a “living document” that is often reviewed and interpreted as the U.S. continues to change and develop as a country.
BONUS MATERIALS FROM OUR TEACHER COMMUNITY!
U.S. Constitution Reading Graphic Organizer
Created by Azul Kmiecik – Literacy Minnesota
Review Questions
Review the two questions below and be prepared to discuss the answers as a class or in small groups.
- Why is the Constitution called “supreme law” of the U.S.?
- Why is it important that the Constitution is a “living document”?
LET’S WRITE! Remember, a summary includes the main idea and major supporting details.
Write a brief summary of the reading text for this module on the U.S. Constitution in your notebook. Think about 3-5 points that you would write to someone who hasn’t read the text.
You can work on your own or with a partner. You may be asked to share it with the class.
