Virginia Experience Civics & Economics Social Studies
The Virginia Experience effectively teaches students about United States history. All curriculum materials cover foundations of the U.S. government, citizenship, political process, understanding government, judicial system, public policy, economy, and finances as required by the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).
The Virginia Experience effectively teaches students about United States history. All curriculum materials cover foundations of the U.S. government, citizenship, political process, understanding government, judicial system, public policy, economy, and finances as required by the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).
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CHAPTER 1<br />
Foundations of the<br />
U.S. Government<br />
Lesson 4<br />
amending our constitutions<br />
The Framers of the U.S. and <strong>Virginia</strong> constitutions were very wise. They realized our national<br />
and state constitutions might need to be changed in the future. They went ahead and developed<br />
processes for making changes. They outlined the processes in the constitutions.<br />
The constitutions of <strong>Virginia</strong> and the United States can be changed<br />
with an “amendment.” For both the U.S. and <strong>Virginia</strong>, for an<br />
amendment to become law, it must be successfully proposed and<br />
ratified or approved. Amendments that pass through this process<br />
are then considered part of our U.S. or state constitution!<br />
Changes to the U.S. Constitution<br />
There are two methods established for<br />
proposing an amendment.<br />
Methods of Proposal<br />
• By a two-thirds vote in both<br />
houses of Congress<br />
OR<br />
• By a national convention called<br />
by Congress at the request of<br />
two-thirds of the state legislatures<br />
(never used)<br />
&<br />
Correlates with CE.1a; CE.2d<br />
There are two methods established for<br />
ratifying an amendment.<br />
Methods of Ratification<br />
• By legislatures in threefourths<br />
of the states<br />
OR<br />
Vocabulary<br />
amendment: a change<br />
to a legal document<br />
ORSample<br />
• By ratifying conventions<br />
in three-fourths of the<br />
states (used once)<br />
It’s Complicated on Purpose!<br />
Amendment<br />
Why is the amendment process so complicated? The purpose is to make sure<br />
that the amendment is truly favored by the American people. Any change to the<br />
Constitution is a serious thing!<br />
©Carole Marsh/Gallopade • www.gallopade.com • <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Civics</strong> & <strong>Economics</strong> • Page 16<br />
~ This book is not reproducible. ~
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