Amendment Project
Project overview:
Working in pairs, you and your partner will explore the Constitution and its amendments and the answer
the “questions to consider”. Your team will create a presentation to persuade classmates that “your”
amendment is the most important. Your presentation will include the following:
1. a poster that expresses the meaning and importance of your amendment;
2. a handout that bears a paraphrased version of the amendment along with a brief explanation of why your
amendment is most vital
3. a speech explaining why this amendment is the most important amendment in the Constitution.
4. Find a News Article from the past 5 years in which your amendment has been of importance in a case –
is it a weakening of your amendment? Does it show the strength of your amendment? Does it show
how, with the flexibility in interpretation of the Constitution, that your amendment can be interpreted in
different ways? Use this as an example of how the Bill of Rights remains relevant to us as Americans on
a daily basis.
Questions to Consider
What are the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens?
What does the Constitution tell us about the Framers’ ideas of rights?
Do the rights enumerated by the Framers have the same importance today?
Is this a complete or incomplete list of rights for all people living in this nation?
Which of these rights is most important? Why is it so crucial?
In a historical context, why was this amendment added to the Constitution?




Group/Tasks:
Each pair must create a poster.
Each pair must present their poster with a creative presentation to the class
Each pair must create a handout to distribute during their presentation.
Each of the “Questions to Consider” must be addressed in presentation.
Poster is neat,
expresses
importance of
chosen
amendment.
Excellent
Good
Fair
Needs Work
9-10
8
7
6 or below
Poster is neat,
utilizes all space
of 8.5 x 11 sheet
of paper at
minimum.
Poster is full
color. Images
accurately
express
Poster is neat,
utilizes 80% of
space, is full
color, image is
expressive of
importance of
amendment
Poster uses most
of space on
paper, uses 2
colors, needs
explanation of
importance of
amendment.
Poster is
incomplete
importance of
amendment.
Handout explains
position of group
and addresses
questions to be
considered in
presentation.
Handout is
illustrated,
addresses all
questions, and
clearly states
position on
amendment.
Handout lacks
illustration,
answers all
questions, and
clearly states
position on
amendment.
Handout lacks
illustration, lacks
clear position,
but answers all
questions.
Incomplete
Presentation
Present
materials to class
– explains all
elements of
project. Explains
why their
position.
Element of
presentation
missing. Minimal
engagement
with class.
Multiple
elements of
presentation
missing. Minimal
engagement
with class.
Did not present
work.