5th Grade http://www.usconstitution.net/constkids4.html Amendment Process 5th Grade http://www.usconstitution.net/constkids4.html

Very few things last long without change. Nothing is perfect Very few things last long without change. Nothing is perfect. The writers of the Constitution realized this when they presented the first twelve amendments to the Constitution.  Amendments to the Constitution can be either additions or changes to the original text. It is not easy to change the Constitution. Since 1787, over 9,000 amendments have been proposed, but only 27 have been approved.

3 Branches of Government Legislative: Congress Executive Judiciary Makes the Laws House of Representatives Senate Makes sure laws are carried out President Vice-President Secretaries of all departments Supreme Court Federal Court

Why? When the Constitution was written, the Framers knew their creation was not perfect. They knew that other people would have good ideas for the Constitution. They wanted to be sure that it wasn't too hard to make changes. They also wanted to be sure that it wasn't too easy. The Framers added an amendment process. An amendment to the Constitution is a change that can add to the Constitution or change an older part of it.

Constitutional Amendment Process The Constitution provides that an amendment may be proposed either by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate A constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures None of the 27 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by constitutional convention. Since the President does not have a constitutional role in the amendment process, the joint resolution does not go to the White House for signature or approval.  A proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 of 50 States).