1. AMENDMENT PROCESS  Sometimes the Constitution needs to be changed to protect these rights and freedoms  A change to the Constitution is an AMENDMENT.

2. Amendment Process Every amendment starts with an IDEA (even you can propose an idea for an amendment!)  The idea then goes through a 2-step process to insure the amendment is constitutional and wanted by the people.  This is how DEMOCRACY works!

3. Amendment Process: 2/3 vote for action by Congress (or state convention) 3/4 of states ratify Step #1: Proposal- ask for a change Step #2: Ratification- Get the change approved

4. A good way to remember… Step 1 Proposal 2 by 3 Congress Step 2 Ratification 3 by 4 States

5.  Article V of the Constitution outlines the amendment process  Since 1791 27 amendments have been added  The first 10 amendments were ratified immediately and called the “Bill of Rights”

6. Big Brain Question Quick Write Why do you think our Founding Fathers allowed a way for the Constitution to be changed? At the same time why, is the process difficult to accomplish?