At its core, a constitution is the highest form of laws in a country. Each country has different ways to interpreting these laws into methods and governing bodies that provide citizens with law and order. In the United States the constitution helps establish three different branches of government to protect their citizens and provide them with basic rights. The formation of the U.S. constitution was the culmination of a wide number of plans and countless contributions from a wide array of historical figures including James Madison who is considered to be the father of the Constitution. Many of his basic ideas and principles were ratified into law. What powers and rights does the Constitution of the United States guarantee? What do the specific amendments address? What is the procedure for amending the Constitution?
These worksheets examine each of amendments from the aspects of the framers to the laws it forms and the enforcement of it all. We look at how this document was created from start to finish and the people involved in the process. We then look at what was created as a result of this document and its consequences. The following collection of worksheets examines the role of the Constitution in shaping the United States government. Your students will learn about the separation of powers, the three branches of government and how they function as checks and balances, the founding fathers, and more. Each reading passage is accompanied by questionnaires. Fun Stuff: Introduce your students to the Schoolhouse Rock songs covering these topics (especially the Preamble song!). They can all be found on YouTube.