Fourth Period: 11:20am to 12:09pm
Fifth Period: 12:49pm to 1:39pm
Sixth Period: 1:42pm to 2:32pm
Change the Constitution Quick Write
If you could change just one aspect of the United States Constitution, what would you change and why?
Be sure to justify your response by explaining why this change would be beneficial to you and the population as a whole. Be creative, but also please be school-appropriate.
The Constitution Writing Project
Over the course of the unit on the Constitution, you will be writing your own constitution based on what you know about the US system of government and other systems around the world. Your constitution can be for an existing country, or for a fictional country and must include:
1) The Preamble • 5 points
The introduction to your constitution; this should state what you want your constitution to accomplish.
2) Article I • 10 points
The Legislature. You should explain how your legislature will function. Is it unicameral? Bicameral? How are representatives elected or chosen? How long are their terms in office? What powers does your legislature have?
3) Article II • 10 points
The Executive. You should explain how your executive will function. Is the executive a part of the legislature like in most parliamentary systems or is it an independent branch like in the United States? Why did you choose this system? How is your chief executive selected? Is the executive strong or are their powers ceremonial? Also, how will the bureaucracy function?
4) Article III • 10 points
The Judiciary. How much power will the judiciary have? Will the court system have broad powers of judicial review or will their mandate be more narrow? How will judges and justices be selected? How long will their terms in office be?
5) Article IV • 10 points
Miscellaneous. Will your nation be a unitary or federal state? Will you enshrine an official language into the constitution? Will your nation be officially neutral? Be creative!
6) Spelling and Grammar • 5 points
7) Bill of Rights • Extra Credit (up to 10 points)
Come up with ten rights that need to be enshrined into your nation's founding document. Each right is worth one point.
8) Creativity • Extra Credit (up to 10 additional points)
Print out your Constitution on an oversized sheet of paper, crumple it up, and design it however you see fit!