1. Comparing Constitutions
SS.7.C.3.13 Compare the constitutions of the United States and Florida.
Comparing the U.S. and Florida Constitutions

2. Think of a constitution as a rule book for government.
What is a constitution?
Provides a framework for government
Outlines responsibilities and powers
Limits government authority
Protects the rights of the people
The following slide will elaborate on the definition as applied to the U.S. Constitution. Ask students if they know of anything else a constitution does (lists the rights of the people, says what government can and cannot do, etc)
Think of a constitution as a rule book for government.
Rule Book

3. Structural Similarities The U.S. and Florida Constitutions
Both documents have:
A Preamble
An introduction; outlines the intent of the constitution
Articles
Provides for the structure of government
Amendments
Changes to the document
Rights of the people/individual freedoms

4. What similarities and differences can you find?
Using the outlines of the U.S. and Florida Constitutions, compare the documents on your How Do They Compare? Handout.
Hint –
Look for:
Structural differences
Content differences
Dates
Responsibilities
Services
U.S. Constitution
Write the differences under the correct label.
Florida Constitution
Write the differences under the correct label.
Write the similarities in the center.
Have students work in small groups. Discuss responses upon completion using a “round-robin” method. Each group will share a fact about the Florida Constitution, a fact about the U.S. Constitution, and something the two documents have in common. Then, move to the next group. Continue around the classroom until students run out of answers. Students should not repeat responses given by other groups.

5. Some differences United States Constitution Florida Constitution
Written in 1787
Sets up structure of federal government
The Bill of Rights and other amendments are included after the Articles
Provided for the coinage of money
Current constitution approved in 1968
Sets up state and local government
Declaration of Rights are in Article I
Names education as one of the rights of the people
Made English the official language
There are also different methods for amending the Constitutions of the United States and Florida.

6. Amending Constitutions
Comparing the Amendment Processes
Amending Constitutions

7. Changes to the Constitutions
United States Constitution
Florida Constitution
27 amendments ratified
Over 10,000 amendments have been proposed
The U.S. Constitution has been amended only 17 times since the first 10—which make up the Bill of Rights—were ratified in 1791.
Over 100 amendments since 1968
Florida has more ways to amend the constitution than any other state
Over 10,000 amendments have been introduced into Congress since Only 33 have been approved. Of these, 27 have been ratified and added to the U.S. Constitution. Since the Constitution went into effect, there have been about 400 petitions from state legislatures calling for a convention to consider one thing or another. None of these efforts ever succeeded.

8. Two Part Process Article V
There are two parts to the constitutional amendment process. See Article 5 of the US Constitution.
Article V
Part One: Proposal Process
Part Two: Ratification Process

9. Proposing Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Consent of 2/3 of Congress
Constitutional convention (never been used)
2/3 of the legislatures of the states call a convention
2/3
2/3

10. Approving (Ratifying) Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Ratified by ¾ of state legislatures
Ratified by ¾ of constitutional conventions
3/4
3/4

11. Amending the Florida Constitution
Florida has more ways to amend its Constitution than any other state.
5 ways to amend the Florida Constitution (Article XI):
Proposal by legislature
Revision commission
Voter initiative
Constitutional convention
Taxation and budget reform commission
Highlight that this presentation will only focus on the Florida Legislature (Joint Resolution) amendment process and the Voter/Citizen Ballot Initiative.

12. Changes to the Constitutions
United States Constitution
Florida Constitution
Proposing amendments:
Consent of 2/3 of Congress
Constitutional convention (never been used)
2/3 of the legislatures of the states call a convention
Ratifying Amendments
Ratified by ¾ of state legislatures
Ratified by ¾ of constitutional conventions
Proposing amendments:
Proposal by legislature
Revision commission
Voter initiative
Constitutional convention
Taxation and budget reform commission.
All proposals must pass with 60% voter approval
Over 10,000 amendments have been introduced into Congress since Only 33 have been approved. Of these, 27 have been ratified and added to the U.S. Constitution. Since the Constitution went into effect, there have been about 400 petitions from state legislatures calling for a convention to consider one thing or another. None of these efforts ever succeeded.

13. Work together and use your outline to make your best decision!
Cite the Source!
Read the selected quote.
Your group will need to decide:
Which document it is from - the U.S. or Florida Constitution
Where in the document this quote is found
Work together and use your outline to make your best decision!

14. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
The…power to establish post offices…
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution
Click on the picture to link to the answer slide.

15. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
Counties may be created, abolished or changed by law…
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution
Click on the picture to go to the answer slide

16. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
It is a paramount duty…to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders…
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution
Click on the picture to go to the answer slide.

17. United States Constitution
Where is this quote from?
He shall have the power to make Treaties…
Florida Constitution
United States Constitution
Click on the picture to go to the answer slide.

18. The Hierarchy of Law
The U.S. Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land.”
Article VI
United States Constitution
Federal Laws (Acts of Congress)
Florida Constitution
Highlight the hierarchy of law. The US Constitution as the highest law in the land. Explain that if there is a conflict between a lower law and a higher one, the higher one “prevails”.
Amending the Florida and U.S. Constitution will be addressed in Benchmark SS.7.C.3.5.
State Statutes (Laws)
City and County Ordinances

19. Checking for Understanding