Instructions
Read through the information and complete the activities to learn about some of the most important changes to the U.S. Constitution, called amendments!
What is an Amendment?
The U.S. Constitution is the main rulebook for our country. But as the country grew and changed, people realized the rulebook needed some updates. An amendment is an official change or addition to the Constitution. It's a way to make sure our country's rules stay fair and relevant for everyone. There have been 27 amendments in total. The first ten are especially famous and are called the Bill of Rights.
Activity 1: Match the Amendment!
Draw a line to match the Amendment on the left with the correct description on the right. The descriptions have been mixed up!
| Amendment | What It Does |
| 1st Amendment | Gave women the right to vote. |
| 4th Amendment | Ended slavery in the United States. |
| 13th Amendment | Protects your freedom of speech, religion, and the press. |
| 19th Amendment | Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. |
| 26th Amendment | Protects people from "unreasonable searches and seizures." |
Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks
Use the words from the word bank below to complete the sentences.
- An amendment is a ___________________ made to the Constitution.
- The first ___________________ amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
- The Bill of Rights was added to protect the people's basic ___________________.
- Thanks to the 19th Amendment, women won the right to ___________________.
- Freedom of ___________________, part of the 1st Amendment, means people can gather together in peaceful groups.
Activity 3: What's Your Right?
Read each scenario below and write down which amendment protects the person's actions or rights. Use the amendments from Activity 1 as your guide.
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A newspaper reporter writes an article criticizing the mayor for not fixing the potholes on Main Street. The mayor is angry but cannot stop the newspaper from publishing the story.
Which amendment protects the reporter? ________________________________
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In 1860, many people were not free. An amendment was passed after the Civil War to make sure slavery would be illegal forever in the United States.
Which amendment ended slavery? ________________________________
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Leo is 18 years old and is excited to vote for the first time in the presidential election.
Which amendment guarantees his right to vote at age 18? ________________________________
Answer Key
Activity 1: Match the Amendment!
- 1st Amendment → Protects your freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
- 4th Amendment → Protects people from "unreasonable searches and seizures."
- 13th Amendment → Ended slavery in the United States.
- 19th Amendment → Gave women the right to vote.
- 26th Amendment → Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks
- An amendment is a change made to the Constitution.
- The first Ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.
- The Bill of Rights was added to protect the people's basic rights.
- Thanks to the 19th Amendment, women won the right to vote.
- Freedom of assembly, part of the 1st Amendment, means people can gather together in peaceful groups.
Activity 3: What's Your Right?
- Which amendment protects the reporter? 1st Amendment (Freedom of the Press)
- Which amendment ended slavery? 13th Amendment
- Which amendment guarantees his right to vote at age 18? 26th Amendment