Florida's Constitution

Help your fourth graders understand why Florida has a written constitution! In this one-page worksheet, students read three short topic cards about Florida's Constitution, fill in four blanks with a word bank, then circle the two best reasons Florida's constitution is written down.

The page opens by showing that every state has its own constitution, and that Florida's begins with the words "We, the people of the State of Florida." Students learn that the one Florida uses today was adopted in 1968. The first card explains that a constitution is the written plan for government that sets up the three branches, and that writing it down lets everyone read the same rules. The second card introduces the Declaration of Rights, which lists the rights of Floridians, like freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The third card shows how the constitution can change: an amendment goes to the voters, and at least 6 out of 10 must say yes. In the second activity, the wrong choices are common mix-ups, like thinking the governor can change laws alone, so students must think about what a written plan really does. The sheet is written to Florida benchmark SS.4.CG.1.1.

What's inside:

• Three topic cards with key words in bold
• 4 fill-in-the-blank sentences with a word bank
• A "circle the two best reasons" activity
• A visual answer key with every answer marked in red

How teachers use it:

• As a quick check after a lesson on state constitutions
• For morning work, centers, or an exit ticket
• As homework or sub plans, with no prep needed

It takes about 5 to 10 minutes and prints clearly in black and white. This worksheet is part of our Reading in Civics series for grade 4.