The Amendment Process & Bill of Rights

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thursday's Schedule:

Homework: Read 25-46 in Edwards (online)

QUIZ: Constitutional Convention/Constitution on Wednesday

Essential Terms Retake Quiz Thursday before/after school or during 4th study session

Register for the AP Exam: Must be registered and paid for all AP exams by October 1st!

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Learning Objectives:
CON-1.C.2: Debates about self-government during the drafting of the Constitution necessitated the drafting of an amendment process in Article V that entailed either a two-thirds vote in both houses or a proposal from two-thirds of the state legislatures, with final ratification determined by three-fourths of the states.

CON-2.B.1: The interpretation of the Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments, the commerce clause, the necessary and proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is at the heart of the debate over the balance of power between the national and state governments.

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Amendments to the Constitution

The Constitution is not a perfect document and the Framers were wise enough to realize that changes or additions, formally called amendments, would be necessary. They also recognized the impossible task of amending under the Articles (unanimous consent), and made the process of changing the Constitution easier, but still difficult enough to ensure that only vital changes would take place.

Today (and for the next few days), we are going to take a look the amendment process and the additions to the Constitution.






Videos

Annotating the Constitution

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Homework: Read 46-54 in Edwards (online)

Essential Terms Retake Quiz Thursday before/after school or during 4th study session

Register for the AP Exam: Must be registered and paid for all AP exams by October 1st!
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Learning Objectives:

LOR-1.A: Explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

LOR-1.A.2: The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Jefferson with help from Adams and Franklin, provides a foundation
for popular sovereignty, while the U.S. Constitution drafted at the Philadelphia convention led by George Washington, with
important contributions from Madison, Hamilton, and members of the “grand committee,” provides the blueprint for a unique
form of political democracy in the U.S.

CON-2.B.1: The interpretation of the Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments, the commerce clause, the necessary and
proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is at the heart of the debate over the balance of power between
the national and state governments.

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Annotating the Constitution

Today we are going to look at the Constitution, exploring the meaning and impact of specific Articles and clauses. As we read and annotate, think about weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how the new document addresses those problems. Also, look for examples of key constitutional principles (limited government, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism) and how they are incorporated into the document.

Please use your pocket constitution or make a copy of the Constitution and highlight/annotate as we walk through this document.

Videos for Review