Alabama Social Studies SS24.6.13a

Social Studies6th GradeFoundations of American Government

The Standard

SS24.6.13: Describe major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States.

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

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how a written constitution sets limits on government power. They explain why officials must follow those limits, even when a rule gets in their way.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a mayor's order banning criticism of city hall, a student can identify the free speech limit on that order. They can explain that the mayor must follow the written rule too.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think a constitution only lists rules for citizens, not limits on government. Others think elected leaders can set aside those limits or that writing them down guarantees they will be followed.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A mayor bans criticism of city hall. Name the written constitutional rule that limits the mayor, and explain why the mayor must follow it.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a printed First Amendment and action cards, including 'mayor bans criticism'; have them sort each action as allowed or blocked.
Have students write two sentences explaining why a president cannot ignore a court ruling they dislike.
Play Constitution Referee: read government action cards aloud, then have teams raise green or red cards and name the written limit.
Read a short summary of Tinker v. Des Moines and ask how students used the First Amendment to challenge a public school's armband ban.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS24.6.13a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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