Articles and the New Constitution
Match the cards using the notes about Articles of Confederation, Constitutional framework, Ratification and Amendment.
About 15 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- Paper and pencil; drawing or spoken answers are welcome.
- Topic notes: Articles of Confederation: the earlier framework with limited national authority. Constitutional framework: the later federal system with separated branches. Ratification: the required approval making the new framework operative. Amendment: a change to the Constitution through its specified process.
- Original exercise cards: A card describes the first U.S. national framework. / A card describes the 1787 design of three branches. / A card describes state conventions approving the Constitution. / A card identifies a constitutional addition. / A card identifies the replacement federal governing framework. / A card identifies formal approval rather than drafting. / A card describes a formal change to the constitutional text. / A card identifies the framework replaced by the Constitution.
Learn the idea
The Articles of Confederation left the national government with limited powers, including difficulty obtaining revenue directly. The Constitution created a stronger federal framework with separated branches. Ratification involved state conventions. Amendments change the Constitution through the process it specifies; ordinary legislation is not the same thing.
Articles of Confederation: the earlier framework with limited national authority. Constitutional framework: the later federal system with separated branches. Ratification: the required approval making the new framework operative. Amendment: a change to the Constitution through its specified process.
Match the earlier framework, the later federal framework, its approval or a formal constitutional change. Read the notes and the word cards. You can write, draw or say your answer.
- Read the four notes. Find the words Articles of Confederation, Constitutional framework, Ratification, Amendment.
- Match the earlier framework, the later federal framework, its approval or a formal constitutional change.
- Read the worked answer. Then try the other cards and explain which words helped you choose.
- Choose two different examples: one for Articles of Confederation and one for Constitutional framework. Explain how their clues differ.
See the method in action
Worked example: The card says: “A card describes the first U.S. national framework.” That matches Articles of Confederation. Articles of Confederation are the earlier framework with limited national authority. Compare the note for Ratification: Ratification is the required approval making the new framework operative. That is a different clue.
Check your reasoning
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Helpful tips
- Match the earlier framework, the later federal framework, its approval or a formal constitutional change.
- If you are unsure, ask an adult to read the card again. Match what this card says; do not add a new event or detail.
See the answer and explanation
Constitutional framework
The card says: “A card describes the 1787 design of three branches.” That matches Constitutional framework. Constitutional framework is the later federal system with separated branches.
Take it further
New card: “A card identifies the framework replaced by the Constitution.” Match it with a note, then point to or say the words that helped. Check: The card says: “A card identifies the framework replaced by the Constitution.” That matches Articles of Confederation. Articles of Confederation are the earlier framework with limited national authority.
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More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
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Check the subject sources
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