4.8 – Module Project and Reflection
Let’s write a new Constitutional Amendment!
Look at the Module 4 Project handout (p. 3 of the Amendment Comparison Activity / Module Project handout).
Did you know that only 27 amendments have been passed among the more than 20,000 that have been formally proposed since the Constitution was written? This has happened because the writers of the Constitution wanted the process of making changes to the Constitution to be a thoughtful one and not a simple task.
For this activity, you and your classmates are going to write a NEW constitutional amendment in class… it should be a little easier than the actual process!
Review the three amendment groups from the Think and Apply 2 activity and choose one of the three themes of those groups (rules about voting, the presidency, or rights of U.S. citizens) to help determine your new amendment. The amendment needs to be:
- new (different from the amendments we have now)
- apply to all 50 states
- have something to do with voting rights OR presidential power OR individual rights
When your group has decided on a new amendment, write it in your notebook as follows:
| Our group would like to add the following amendment to the United States Constitution:
_____________________________________________________________________. |
|---|
Then, think/talk with your group about WHY your new amendment is needed/is important and HOW it will help people or society. Write your thoughts in your notebook as follows:
| This new amendment is needed (or important) because __________________________________________________.
This amendment will help people or society because _____________________________________________________. |
|---|
Be prepared to discuss with the whole class why your amendment should be added to the Constitution.
Big Questions
We are at the end of Module 4! Based on your learning, how would you answer these questions?
Do a 3-5-minute “quick write” about one or more of the questions below OR be prepared to discuss one/both of them.
Question #1: How does a constitution structure and maintain government?
Question #2: How does the U.S. Constitution change over time?
Extend Your Learning!
Follow this link from the News Literacy Project to learn more positives and negatives about AI.
