1. Warm Up
This warm up will be done on a separate sheet of paper. Write a description of an amendment that you would like to propose along with a justification that tells why the amendment is needed and should be passed.

2. Monday, September 18, 2017
Objective: Students will be able to explain how the Constitution can be changed.
Importance: The U.S. Constitution is one of the oldest constitutions in use. There is a very good reason for that.

3. Amending the Constitution
Amendment: a change in, or addition to a constitution or law
4 methods for proposing amendments
proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and ratified by three fourths of the State legislatures (26 of 27 Amendments were approved this way)
proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and ratified by conventions in three fourths of the States

4. Amending the Constitution
proposed by a national convention, called by Congress at the request of two thirds of the State legislatures
proposed by a national convention and then ratified by conventions in three fourths of the States
Some criticize the amendment process for not directly involving the American people

5. The President does not have a role in the formal amendment process
The President does not have a role in the formal amendment process. Why do you think the Constitution outlines amendment methods involving Congress and State legislatures?

6. Many proposed amendments fall short of the 38 State approval requirement for ratification. How might the number of States approving each amendment reflect society at that time?

7. Important Amendments 14th Amendment: Equal protection under the law
15th Amendment: prohibited denying the vote based on a citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude”
22nd Amendment: limited the President to 2 terms
26th Amendment: granted 18 year olds the right to vote

8. Change by Other Means
The fact that many parts of the Constitution are brief and seldom very detailed or specific guarantees that they will be interpreted differently
passage of basic legislation by Congress
actions taken by the President

9. Change by Other Means
key decisions of the Supreme Court that change the interpretation of a part of the Constitution
practices done by political parties
through custom and usage (examples: the Cabinet, no third term until 1951)

10. Gun control advocates and opponents protest outside the U. S
Gun control advocates and opponents protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court. The role of the Court is to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of federal laws.

11. Revisit Your Amendment
Now that you know what is required to amend the Constitution, would you still propose the amendment? Are there ways you would change the amendment to ensure its passage? Explain why or why not, and describe any changes you would make.