1. Amending the Constitution
4-1

2. 27 Amendments
1st ten amend. - Bill of Rights
Difficult process - must have support of the the people
2 ways to make amendments

3. First Method Only one ever used
1. Proposal - vote of 2/3 of members of both houses
2. Ratification - approved by 3/4 of the 50 state legislatures
3. New amendment

4. Second Method Never used
1. Proposal - by national convention called at the request of 2/3 of 50 state legislatures
2. Ratification - approved by 3/4 of ratifying conventions held in 50 states
3. New amendment

5. The Amendment Process
v What does the boy in the cartoon represent? The train?
v What is the cartoonist saying about the amendment process?
v Why does the amendment process take so long? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a long process?
v According to our discussion of the term “amendment” would either of the amendments waiting for passage in this cartoon fit our definition? Why or why not?

6. Bill of Rights
Civil War Amendments
The later amendments

7. The First Amendment
Protects civil liberties - freedoms we do not have to fear will be taken away
In your notebook mark the place that indicates your opinion:
The First Amendment is important in my life.
__________________________________________________
Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree

9. What do you know about the first Amendment?

10. Amendment I
Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances.
Now revisit your continuum line and evaluate whether your response has changed?
ｷ What rights does the First Amendment guarantee to American citizens?
ｷ Why do you think the framers of the Constitution placed freedom of religion as the first guaranteed right?

11. 1. Freedom of Religion No official religion
Cannot favor one religion over others

12. 2. Freedom of Speech
Can criticize gov.
Tinker v. Des Moines

13. 3. Freedom of the Press
All means of mass production
censorship

14. 4. Freedom of Assembly
Any peaceful assembly
Clubs, etc.

15. 5. Freedom to petition
To express ideas to the gov.

16. Limits to 1st Amendment Freedoms
Speech - cannot endanger gov. or other people
Overthrow the gov.
Violent or criminal behavior
Cannot spread lies
Slander - spoken lies
Libel - written lies