Civics Today Citizenship, Economics, & You

Chapter 4: The Bill of Rights

Web Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter students read about the first ten amendments to the Constitution, as well as several others that extended civil rights to more Americans. Thus far twenty-seven amendments have been added. However, many others have been proposed, passed by Congress, and yet failed to win ratification. They addressed a variety of topics in American life. In this activity students will take a closer look at some of the proposed amendments that failed to become a permanent part of the Constitution.

Lesson Description
Students will visit a Web site about the U.S. Constitution. They will read about several amendments that failed to win ratification, as well as a listing of the titles of others that have been proposed in Congress. After answering several questions about the failed amendments, they will select one that was proposed and write a persuasive speech in favor of its passage.

1. The learner will be able to describe the major ideas of several failed amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
2. The learner will be able to write a persuasive speech about a proposed amendment.

1. Citizens who accepted a title of nobility from a foreign power would lose their citizenship.
2. The Child Labor Amendment was proposed in 1926.
3. Answers will vary.
4. The main provision of the Equal Rights Amendment was that equality of rights should not be denied on the basis of sex.
5. Students' speeches will vary.