Civic Literacy Curriculum
Question 3: What does the Constitution do?
What does the Constitution do?
A. sets up the government
B. defines the parts and powers of the government
C. protects basic rights of Americans
D. All of the above
Background
Writing the Constitution was not an easy task. The Founding Fathers knew that the document they would create would shape the future of the nation. They needed to find the right balance between a federal government strong enough for the needs of a growing nation but that also protected decentralized local governance and individual rights. In setting up and defining the powers of the federal government, they created a balance of power by outlining three branches rather than just one. This prevented any one branch from taking control of the other two.
Another concern was ensuring that the new government would stand the test of time. The document they wrote could not be so inflexible that it would crumble within a few generations. The Founding Fathers recognized that times would change and that the needs of the new nation would change as well. To address this, they added the ability to amend the Constitution. The framers knew, however that amending the Constitution was essential but should not be too easy, and they thus designed a process that both Congress and the states would have to agree to. Thus, to pass an amendment, two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states would have to approve it, ensuring the Constitution could be changed—but not by narrow or temporary majorities.
Offline Activity
Preparation
- Divide students into groups of 3-4, mixing support, core, and enrichment students.
- Print a copy of the sample brochure for each group.
- For your reference, you may also want to print out a template.
- Print a copy of the Constitution Resource Guide for each student.
- Provide each group with paper to create the brochure (an 8x10 piece of plain white paper).
- Provide each group with a rubric copy if this is a graded activity.
Required Materials
The Teaching Materials for this exercise include a (completed) sample brochure and rubric.
Instructions
- Divide the class into groups of 3-4 based on the students’ individual levels. Group A is the group that needs some extra support. Group B is the core group that has the core knowledge to complete the activity. Group C is the enrichment group who have mastered the material and are prepared to extend their knowledge. Each group should have at least one student from Group A, one from Group B, and one from Group C.
- Provide each group with the appropriate handout and a copy of the sample brochure to use as a guide.
- Demonstrate how to fold the brochure.
- Explain how the brochure will look, holding up the sample for the students to see:
- The front cover needs a title and an illustration.
- The inside will include a definition/explanation of the Constitution.
- The back will list three benefits to the Constitution.
- The three inside panels will explain the purpose of the Constitution and include at least one illustration.
- Once finished explaining, pass the brochure around for the students to look at.
- Instruct students to work together to create their team’s brochure.
- Students should divide the work between them. If grouped based on level, Group A students may want to focus on the facts, such as explaining what the Constitution is. Group B students can focus on explaining what the Constitution does. Group C students can focus on the benefits of the Constitution. This is only a suggestion.
- The students should discuss the content that they need to provide and create a rough draft prior to creating the final product. (You may wish to check the drafts prior to the teams starting the final copy.)
Discussion Prompts
Below are two discussion prompts that can be used by teachers in a classroom setting. The first discussion prompt will be one that is designed to support students that are not really understanding the content in a way that would help them to answer the test question. The second discussion prompt will be one that is designed to further student understanding of the content by making real-world connections, including connections to current events, and historical events.
Background
The Constitution created the government that we have today, a government in which power is divided between the states and federal government and between different parts of the federal government. This was so no institution could dominate the other or the nation’s citizens. The framers were determined to craft a republic that would stand the test of time. To ensure this, they not only created three equal branches that would balance each other, they also provided guidelines to amend the Constitution as needed. This is generally seen as beneficial, but it can sometimes frustrate the efforts of one branch to pass legislation or change laws.
Prompt 1
How did the Founding Fathers ensure that the people’s rights were protected and that the new government would not become another monarchy? Explain your answer.
Prompt 2
How does the existence of three branches limit the government and protect the rights of the people? What would happen if one branch tried to make all of the decisions? Provide real-world scenarios that show the check-and-balance system in action.
K-2 Lesson
The Constitution for Elementary Babies!
By Stefanie Kelly
Lesson Summary: Students will learn about the Constitution of the United States through reading and they will create their own Constitution of the United States books.
Primary Sources:
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn about the Constitution of the United States.
- Students will apply what they learned from a constitution book to assist them in creating their own book
Grades 3-5 Lesson Plan
Purposes of the Constitution
By Chelsea Reynolds
Lesson Summary: In this lesson, students will investigate the purposes of the U.S. Constitution. Students will work together in a group to research one of the three purposes of the U.S. Constitution: create the federal government, define the branches of power, and protect the basic rights of Americans. Student groups will then create a poster to present their research to the class and teach their classmates about the purposes of the U.S. Constitution.
Primary Sources: The U.S. Constitution
Learning Objectives:
- Students will understand the purposes of the Constitution.
- Students will be able to explain the importance of the Constitution.
Grades 6-8 Lesson Plan
Mini-Unit: The Role of the Constitution and its Amendments
By Jamie Warner
Lesson Summary: This mini-unit addresses many important questions and immerses students in the essence of the Constitution. The mini-unit will delve into the meaning of "We, the People," navigate the process of amending the Constitution, and foster critical thinking by examining the historical needs that led to the creation of current amendments. Students will also extend their thinking by crafting their own proposal for an amendment to the Constitution, using some frameworks adapted from the National Constitution Center’s lesson guide.
Primary Sources: U.S. Constitution, historical documents on constitutional amendments
Learning Objectives:
- Define the core functions of the U.S. Constitution and its significance in American governance.
- Interpret the phrase "We the People" and its implications for citizen engagement and representation.
- Explore the process of amending the Constitution and understand the historical context behind current amendments.
- Propose an amendment to help address a significant societal or governmental concern you have identified, based on your knowledge of and analysis of current events and national issues.
High School Lesson Plan
Blueprint for Government
By Ryan Werenka
Lesson Summary: Constitutions are like blueprints for government. This lesson allows students to understand how the process of building a house is similar to the process of building a constitution. Students will also have an opportunity to read portions of the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution to examine the structure of the government created by each document.
Primary Sources: Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to compare the process of building a home and building a government.
- Students will be able to construct a blueprint for government using the United States Constitution.
- Students will be able to assess how the structure of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution allowed them to address issues facing the United States.