Proposing and Ratifying Amendments

Kelsey·

Civics

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At a Glance

SubjectCivics

This teacher guide focuses on the U.S. Constitutional amendment process, detailing Article V's two-step approach to proposing and ratifying amendments. It includes standards alignment, logistics for implementing the lesson, learning objectives, and a scenario-based introduction to engage students in understanding the complexities and challenges of changing established rules. The guide explains both methods for proposing amendments—Congressional and Convention methods—and the required supermajorities for ratification. Additionally, it provides insight into the rationale behind these thresholds, highlights historical amendment efforts, and features interactive activities to simulate the amendment process, fostering critical thinking on constitutional mechanics and the importance of broad consensus in governance.