Article V

Amending the U.S. Constitution:

What does it mean to me?

How is it done?

Article V

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

What does this really mean to me?

Strand III: Civic Perspective

Content Standard 3: All students will describe the political and legal processes created to make decisions, seek consensus and resolve conflicts in a free society. (Democracy in Action)

High School: Item #3

Evaluate possible amendments to the constitution.

1. Michigan Curriculum Framework

What does this really mean to me?

2. Federal Marriage Amendment

http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/usconstitution/a/marriage.htm

http://www.nationalcoalition.org/public_policy/congresssupport.html

Should the Constitution be amended to define marriage?

Yes or No?

Get together with one partner and provide 1 or 2 reasons why you agree or disagree with the proposed marriage amendment…

Congress

Senate House of Representatives

100 435

Article V

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

A. 2/3 of both houses of Congress can propose an amendment

B. Congress calls a convention when 2/3 of the State Legislatures ask

A. 2/3 of both houses of Congress can propose an amendment

Remember – Math Matters! So, what is 2/3 of both houses?

The House of Representatives

How many Reps in the House?

_____________435

Calculate 2/3 of 435.

435 * 2 = 870 / 3 = 290

The Senate

How many Senators in the Senate?

____100

Calculate 2/3 of 100. You may need to round your answer up.

100 * 2 = 200 / 3 = 67

B. Congress calls a convention when 2/3 of the State Legislatures ask

Remember – Math Matters! So, what is 2/3 of the State Legislatures?

Calculate 2/3 of the State Legislatures

Remember, you may need to round your answer!

50 x 2 = 100 / 3 = 34

A. Ratified by ¾ of State Legislatures

B. Ratified by ¾ of State Conventions

Remember – Math Matters!

So…..

Calculate ¾ of the State Legislatures…

Remember, you may have to round up your answer.

50 x 3 =150

/ 4 = 38

Calculate ¾ of the State Conventions…

Remember, you may have to round up your answer.

50 x 3 =150

/ 4 = 38

Let’s briefly review…

What did we learn?

A. 2/3 of both houses of Congress can propose an amendmentB. Congress calls a convention when 2/3 of the State Legislatures ask

A. Ratified by ¾ of State Legislatures

B. Ratified by ¾ of State Conventions

Another time we’ll explore some editorial articles that discuss the Federal Marriage

Amendment. We can compare our classroom responses to those we read.