SS 4 Standard 2 Combo
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Standard Indicators
4.2.1, 4.2.2
A Constitution and Its Preamble
Purpose
Students will explain the major purposes of Indiana’s Constitution
as stated in the Preamble and describe major rights, such as freedom
of speech and freedom of religion, that people have under Indiana’s Bill
of Rights (Article I of the Constitution).
curriculum
For the teacher: large piece of poster board, marker, chalk, chalkboard
For each student: pencil, copy of Black Line Master (BLM) My
Amendment to the Indiana Constitution
Activity
A. Pre-Activity Preparation
1. Write the words of the Preamble to Indiana’s Constitution on the
poster board: “To the end, that justice be established, public order
maintained, and liberty perpetuated; we, the People of the State
of Indiana, grateful to almighty God for the free exercise of the
right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this
Constitution.”
2. Hang the poster board at the front of the classroom.
B. Preamble Discussion
1. Ask students: “What is the Constitution of the United States?”
Explain that the Constitution is the written plan that explains
how our country’s government should work.
2. Ask students: “Do you think our state has a constitution? What
would our state constitution explain?” Guide students to suggest
that the state constitution is the plan explaining how the state
government should work.
3. Tell students that there is an introduction to the Constitution
called the Preamble and that the Constitution of the United
States has a Preamble, as does the Constitution of the State
of Indiana. Tell students that the Preamble states the purpose
for writing the constitution.
4. Show students the poster board with the Preamble to the
Indiana Constitution. Explain that these are the words
of Indiana’s Preamble.
5. Read the Preamble together as a class.
6. Discuss how the Preamble gives the people of Indiana the right
to choose the kind of government they want and how the design
for that government is outlined in the rest of the Constitution.
(continued)
Have students refer
to thesauri to find
synonyms and related
words for each noun
in the Preamble.
Instruct students to
fill out a word web
with their new
vocabulary words.
extending
THE
ACTIVITY
Have students work in
small groups and write
a patriotic song about
the rights and freedoms
granted in the Bill of
Rights. Have students
listen to other patriotic
songs for ideas
and melodies.
Standards Links
4.2.3, 4.2.7
page 121
Standard 2
English/
Language Arts
Materials
Standard 2 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 1
Indiana Social Studies Grade 4 Standards Resource, February 2003
connecting
across the
SS 4 Standard 2 Combo
12/30/02
2:08 PM
Page 122
Activity (continued)
7. Underline “justice be established, public order maintained, and
liberty perpetuated” in the Preamble. Ask students: “What does
this phrase mean? Why do you think this is in the Preamble?”
Discuss students’ answers.
Standard 2
C. Bill of Rights Discussion
1. Explain to students that the Constitution was written in order
to protect people’s rights and freedoms. Tell students that
amendments are added to the Constitution and that the first
10 amendments to the Indiana Constitution are called the Bill
of Rights. Ask students: “Can you name some rights that are
in the Bill of Rights?”
2. List students’ suggestions on the chalkboard.
3. List these freedoms on the chalkboard: religion, speech, the press,
peaceable assembly, and to petition the government. Discuss the
meaning of each.
4. Have students suggest an example of each freedom in their lives
or their families’ lives.
5. Ask students: “Which freedom do you feel is the most important?
Why?”
D. Add an Amendment
1. Tell students that they are going to think of an amendment
they would like to add to the Indiana Constitution.
2. Hand out a copy of the BLM My Amendment to the Indiana
Constitution to each student and go over the instructions with
the class.
3. When students have completed their BLMs, have them share
their work with the rest of the class.
4. List the new amendments on the chalkboard and discuss
as a class how students decided which amendments to add.
Questions for Review
Basic Concepts and Processes
While students are working on their amendments, discuss the
following:
What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
What is one freedom that the Bill of Rights promises to citizens?
What is the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
Why do you think the Preamble is an important part
of the Constitution?
page 122
Standard 2 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 1
Indiana Social Studies Grade 4 Standards Resource, February 2003
SS 4 Standard 2 Combo
12/30/02
2:08 PM
Page 123
Name:
My Amendment to the Indiana Constitution
Think of an amendment that you would like to add to the Indiana Constitution.
What freedom or right do you think is important to all people? Describe your
new amendment below and write how it would affect you.
Standard 2 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 1
Indiana Social Studies Grade 4 Standards Resource, February 2003
Black Line Master 1
page 123
SS 4 Standard 2 Combo
12/30/02
2:08 PM
Page 124
My Amendment to the Indiana Constitution
Teacher Directions
Tell students that they are going to think of an amendment they would like to add to the Indiana
Constitution.
Hand out a copy of the BLM My Amendment to the Indiana Constitution to each student
and go over the instructions with the class.
When students have completed their BLMs, have them share their work with the rest of the class.
List the new amendments on the chalkboard. Discuss as a class how students decided which
amendments to add.
Answer Key
Answers will vary.
Black Line Master 1
page 124
Standard 2 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 1
Indiana Social Studies Grade 4 Standards Resource, February 2003