Should We Rewrite the Constitution?
This editable, no prep Constitution discussion activity for high school Government and US History asks the question most textbooks won't: Should we rewrite the Constitution?
Students begin with opening thought questions, listen to a short 10-minute podcast episode from "America From Scratch," then answer critical thinking questions and work with a partner to negotiate compromises on what a rewritten Constitution should include.
HOW THIS RESOURCE IS STRUCTURED:
Part 1 — Opening Thoughts
Thought-provoking warm-up questions that get students talking before they hear any outside perspective.
Part 2 — Podcast (America from Scratch)
Students listen to a linked 10-minute podcast episode exploring the potential benefits and barriers of rewriting the Constitution. Listen together as a class or assign independently — the episode is short, accessible, and designed for exactly this kind of classroom conversation.
Part 3 — Critical Thinking Questions + Partner Compromise Activity
Students answer questions about the podcast and reflect on their own perspectives. Then the real challenge: they partner up and try to find compromises between their two positions. If it were up to them to rewrite the Constitution, could they actually agree? This is where students discover firsthand why constitutional compromise is so difficult — because they're living it in real time with a classmate.
Easy to adapt to your classroom:
⭐ Use the opening thoughts as a warm-up OR a table discussion
⭐ Listen to the podcast as a class OR assign independently
⭐ Complete the partner activity during class OR assign questions for homework
⭐ Editable Google Slides let you customize any directions or questions
Google Slides can be used on both PC and Mac but requires a Google account and internet access. Need one? Create a free account here: https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
This product is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
This discussion activity is built for high school Government, Civics, US History, and Ethics classes (grades 9–12). Use it during your Constitution unit, as a current events lesson, or any time your curriculum touches on founding documents, amendments, or the question of whether old institutions still serve the people they govern. It's especially effective around Constitution Day (September 17) or during any unit on the legislative process and constitutional amendments.
Works for: US Government, Civics, US History, Ethics, or any class where students should think critically about the documents that shape American life.
STUDENT SKILLS:
✅ Students reflect on whether a 200+ year-old document is still applicable to modern issues — and defend their position
✅ Students listen critically to a podcast and extract arguments for and against rewriting the Constitution
✅ Students answer critical thinking questions that connect constitutional principles to their own lives and perspectives
✅ Students practice compromise and negotiation with a partner — experiencing the same tension the Founders faced
✅ Students compare and contrast perspectives and discover where agreement is possible and where it breaks down
This editable, no prep Constitution discussion activity for high school Government and US History asks the question most textbooks won't: Should we rewrite the Constitution?
Students begin with opening thought questions, listen to a short 10-minute podcast episode from "America From Scratch," then answer critical thinking questions and work with a partner to negotiate compromises on what a rewritten Constitution should include.
HOW THIS RESOURCE IS STRUCTURED:
Part 1 — Opening Thoughts
Thought-provoking warm-up questions that get students talking before they hear any outside perspective.
Part 2 — Podcast (America from Scratch)
Students listen to a linked 10-minute podcast episode exploring the potential benefits and barriers of rewriting the Constitution. Listen together as a class or assign independently — the episode is short, accessible, and designed for exactly this kind of classroom conversation.
Part 3 — Critical Thinking Questions + Partner Compromise Activity
Students answer questions about the podcast and reflect on their own perspectives. Then the real challenge: they partner up and try to find compromises between their two positions. If it were up to them to rewrite the Constitution, could they actually agree? This is where students discover firsthand why constitutional compromise is so difficult — because they're living it in real time with a classmate.
Easy to adapt to your classroom:
⭐ Use the opening thoughts as a warm-up OR a table discussion
⭐ Listen to the podcast as a class OR assign independently
⭐ Complete the partner activity during class OR assign questions for homework
⭐ Editable Google Slides let you customize any directions or questions
Google Slides can be used on both PC and Mac but requires a Google account and internet access. Need one? Create a free account here: https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
This product is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
This discussion activity is built for high school Government, Civics, US History, and Ethics classes (grades 9–12). Use it during your Constitution unit, as a current events lesson, or any time your curriculum touches on founding documents, amendments, or the question of whether old institutions still serve the people they govern. It's especially effective around Constitution Day (September 17) or during any unit on the legislative process and constitutional amendments.
Works for: US Government, Civics, US History, Ethics, or any class where students should think critically about the documents that shape American life.
STUDENT SKILLS:
✅ Students reflect on whether a 200+ year-old document is still applicable to modern issues — and defend their position
✅ Students listen critically to a podcast and extract arguments for and against rewriting the Constitution
✅ Students answer critical thinking questions that connect constitutional principles to their own lives and perspectives
✅ Students practice compromise and negotiation with a partner — experiencing the same tension the Founders faced
✅ Students compare and contrast perspectives and discover where agreement is possible and where it breaks down