Directions: Your assignment will be to research your given amendment to the Constitution and create a Powerpoint presentation that you will use to teach the class about your amendment. The presentation should be very detailed. You will have 2 class periods to discover what rights this amendment protects, why it was added to the Bill of Rights, and how it effects the lives of United States Citizen’s today. Once you have all of this information you will need to create a 3 minute presentation.
Amendment Presentation Template.ppt
Due to technical difficulties, the computers may not save to your documents. If you have a flash drive, try saving it before getting started.
Online alternatives:
google.com -- If you have a gmail account you can use Google Slides.
weebly.com -- If you have experience with this, you could do one with no problem. CREATE A FREE WEBSITE
Questions that need to be addressed in your presentation:
1) What is your amendment about?
2) Why was it proposed? (What events led up to it? What was the purpose of having it?)
3) When was it ratified?
4) What does the actual text of the amendment mean? Explain in “plain” English.
5) How could someone remember your amendment?
6) Has there been Supreme Court or other court cases dealing with this amendment? (you may or may not find anything on this)
You should be an expert on your amendment and your presentation should be very detailed. Make sure you spend time reading about your amendment using the web sites listed below.
This should be in your own words and NOT copied and pasted in. If you plagiarize any information you will not receive a grade.
Our Amendment Presentation Rubric
Each project must include the following:
1. Amendment # and Official Name of Amendment
2. Description (full text & in your own words)
3. How did it change the Constitution?
4. When Amendment was ratified & how long?
5. History/conditions/why necessary – 8 facts
6. How it affects our lives today
7. Description of court case where it was involved
8. 10 Images/Pictures (2 points each)
9. 6 slides (not inc. title slide – 2 points each)
10. Creativity/Neatness
(10 points) ________
(10 points) ________
(5 points) ________
(10 points) ________
(16 points) ________
(5 points) ________
(7 points) ________
(20 points) ________
(12 points) ________
(5 points) ________
Total 100 points
Amendment List
Amendment #1- Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
Amendment #2- Right to bear arms
Amendment #3- No one may be forced to house soldiers
Amendment #4- Protects against unreasonable search and seizure
Amendment #5- Rights of the criminally accused (indictment by grand jury, no double jeopardy, no self incrimination, due process of the law, eminent domain)
Amendment #6- Rights to a speedy trial by jury (speedy trial, impartial jury, informed of charges, right to an attorney)
Amendment #7- Rights to a jury trial in CIVIL CASES, more than $20- people sue over money/property
Amendment #8- No excessive bail, no cruel and unusual punishment
Amendment #9- People have other basic rights not listed in Constitution
Amendment #10- All powers not given to the federal government are left for the states to take care of/decide
Amendment #11- Federal courts do not have jurisdiction in cases against a state
Amendment #12- Provides for separate elections for president and vice president
Amendment #13- Abolishes slavery
Amendment #14- Provides equality for all citizens; state governments must follow previously passed amendments
Amendment #15- All males have the right to vote
Amendment #16- Congress has the power to pass direct taxes, such as income tax
Amendment #17- Senators are to be elected by the voters in their state; governor fills state senator positions if position opens during a term
Amendment #18- Selling and drinking of alcoholic beverages is made illegal (prohibited)
Amendment #19- Gives women the right to vote
Amendment #20- Beginning of President, VP and Congress terms in office begins in January; presidential succession can take place before Presidential inauguration
Amendment #21- Selling and drinking of alcoholic beverages is made legal (allowed again, #18 was repealed or cancelled by this amendment)
Amendment #22- Presidents may serve no more than 2 terms or a total of 10 years
Amendment #23- District of Columbia is allowed presidential Electoral College votes
Amendment #24- Eliminates poll tax (no required payment needed to vote)
Amendment #25- Provides for presidential succession and filling a vacant office of vice president, if VP dies or his removed from office
Amendment #26- Lowers voting age from 21 to 18
Amendment #27- Congressional compensation increases may not take effect until after that congressional term is over (their pay raise doesn’t go into effect until new term)
Constitutional Amendments
The Annenberg Guide to the United States Constitution
http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/page/a-guide-to-the-united-states-constitution
National Archives – Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights.html
Heritage Guide to the Constitution
http://www.heritage.org/constitution
Supreme Court Cases by Topic
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/cases/topic.htm
List of Cases
Bill of Rights Institute - Current Events
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/resources/educator-resources/headlines/
Constitution Center Amendments
http://constitutioncenter.org/constitution/the-amendments/
Constitution Facts – Amendments in History
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/amendments-in-history/
Constitution - The White House