Amendments to the Constitutions
Standards
Materials
computer lab
research materials
Objectives
Students will
- research a constitutional amendment and its creation
- look into the effects of the the public on the government
- research hot topics throughout the history of the United States, and the movements that resulted because of them
Lesson Context
Students should understand that changes can be made to our government, and that changes are often fought for by the masses. At the same time, their are items put in place to deter change and slow down the process of change. This is also a good project for students to look into the power of the masses, and the different 'rights' movements that have occured in the history of the United States, giving some students background knowledge to help when we cover the Civil Rights movement in the next unit.
Lesson Body
To start, we will discuss how amendments tend to come through mass movements by the public, though there are amendments that put limits on the government system as well. Students should be told that they are doing a research project. Students will pick an amendment, after the 10th, and research why the amendment was made to the Constitution of the United States. I will talk about a quick example, possibly the 20th amendment and discuss what I want students to be researching. Who wanted the change, why they wanted the change, what moves were made to force the governments hand, how long it took to go through the process of becoming an amendment, and the basics of the overall movement.
Students will choose an amendment, once they chose their amendment, they will do a quick write up of why they think the amendment was made. They will then be given a few days to do research. Books should be provided along with some online research time. Students should be allowed to present to the class if they wish to. If not, each student will be asked to hand in some form of presentation. The students will be able to do what ever kind of project they wish, song, poem, paper, poster, powerpoint.
Special Consideration
- based on individual classes and needs of single students
Assessment
- Informal - their initial write up and research amount
- formal - project and presentation
Materials
computer lab
research materials
Objectives
Students will
- research a constitutional amendment and its creation
- look into the effects of the the public on the government
- research hot topics throughout the history of the United States, and the movements that resulted because of them
Lesson Context
Students should understand that changes can be made to our government, and that changes are often fought for by the masses. At the same time, their are items put in place to deter change and slow down the process of change. This is also a good project for students to look into the power of the masses, and the different 'rights' movements that have occured in the history of the United States, giving some students background knowledge to help when we cover the Civil Rights movement in the next unit.
Lesson Body
To start, we will discuss how amendments tend to come through mass movements by the public, though there are amendments that put limits on the government system as well. Students should be told that they are doing a research project. Students will pick an amendment, after the 10th, and research why the amendment was made to the Constitution of the United States. I will talk about a quick example, possibly the 20th amendment and discuss what I want students to be researching. Who wanted the change, why they wanted the change, what moves were made to force the governments hand, how long it took to go through the process of becoming an amendment, and the basics of the overall movement.
Students will choose an amendment, once they chose their amendment, they will do a quick write up of why they think the amendment was made. They will then be given a few days to do research. Books should be provided along with some online research time. Students should be allowed to present to the class if they wish to. If not, each student will be asked to hand in some form of presentation. The students will be able to do what ever kind of project they wish, song, poem, paper, poster, powerpoint.
Special Consideration
- based on individual classes and needs of single students
Assessment
- Informal - their initial write up and research amount
- formal - project and presentation