Alabama Social Studies SS24.6.13

SS24.6.13 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• SS24.6.13a

  Explain how a written constitution aids in establishing limited government and the rule of law.

• SS24.6.13b

  Describe how the authors of the Constitution viewed the primary functions of government, based on the wording of the Preamble.

• SS24.6.13c

  Analyze key elements of the Constitution that deal with citizenship and civic participation, including the path to citizenship and the process for amending the ...

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use the Preamble to explain why the authors said government exists. They explain how written rules limit leaders and apply to everyone. They find where the Constitution addresses citizenship and amendments, and identify a gap in its original protections.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can name justice, defense, and liberty as goals in the Preamble and explain why officials must follow written rules. They can explain that the Fourteenth Amendment addresses birth citizenship, Congress sets naturalization rules, and an amendment usually needs approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the states. They can identify the original lack of a constitutional guarantee of women's voting rights.

03

Common Misconceptions

Some students think the Preamble sets specific laws rather than stating goals. Others think the Constitution lists every step to become a citizen or that a simple majority can amend it. Some assume the original Constitution protected everyone's right to vote.

04

How to Assess It

On an exit ticket, ask: “Why can't Congress change the Constitution with a simple vote? Use the amendment process and the idea of limited government in your answer.”

1. 01

   Sort printed Preamble, Article I, Article V, and Fourteenth Amendment excerpt cards under government goals, citizenship, or amendment rules.

2. 02

   Ask: Which Preamble goal best supports a fair trial? Point to words in the text and explain your choice.

3. 03

   Post 70 Senate votes, 300 House votes, and 37 state approvals; have pairs decide if a proposed amendment is ratified.

4. 04

   Give students a printed city council rule and ask whether the mayor must follow it; connect their answer to the rule of law.

• SS24.USG.3a

  Summarize and explain the underlying principles of the Constitution, including checks and balances, federalism, limited government, popular sovereignty, republi...

• SS24.US1.2b

  Describe the major issues debated at the Constitutional Convention and analyze the solutions produced, including: the distribution of political power among stat...

• SS24.USG.3

  Analyze the major features and structural organization of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

• SS24.6.11b

  Summarize the arguments favoring and opposing ratification of the Constitution of the United States.