Subject: Social Studies Type of Lesson: Internet use, group work, discussion,

multimedia.

Grade: 10 CSEC OBJ: Students should be able to:

A24 Describe the relationship between
citizens and governments as stated in
the constitution

Term: 2 Unit Number #1 - Government

and Title:

Duration: 235 minutes Week Number: 9

Lesson Number #29 Define and examine the

and Title: constitution

Objectives
As a result of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1) define the terms constitution, democracy, authoritarian.
2) outline the importance of the constitution to citizens.
3) recognize that the constitution of a country is essential to good
governance.

Prerequisite Student Knowledge

The student should be familiar with:
1) the structure of government in their country in Grade 9.
2) the powers of the executive, legislature and judiciary in their
country in Grade 9.
3) the method of choosing a government in their country in Grade 9.
4) conditions of citizenship in Grade 9.
5) the role of the civil service.
6) the rights freedoms and responsibilities of citizens in Grade 9.

Important Points
1) The constitution is a written document which contains the most
important laws and principles by which the citizens of a country
agree to be governed. It is the supreme law of Commonwealth
Caribbean countries and is enforced by the courts. All other laws,
rules and regulations which are enacted must be consistent with it.

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 Commonwealth Caribbean countries refer to those countries in
the Caribbean who were once colonies of Britain;
2) The Jamaica Constitution, 1962 was drafted by a bipartisan joint
committee of the Jamaican legislature in 1961-62, approved in the
United Kingdom and included as the Second Schedule of the
Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council, 1962 under the West
Indies Act, 1962. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence
Act, 1962 of the U.K. Parliament, which gave Jamaica political
independence.
3) The constitution of most Caribbean countries includes provisions
in it which prevent governments from changing very important
parts too easily. It requires a two-thirds majority vote by members
of both Houses of Parliament to change certain clauses. Any law
that is passed which violates the constitution must be declared
unconstitutional and void.
4) The constitution ensures respect for citizens rights and freedoms,
cooperation between citizens and government, survival of
democracy and peace and stability in the society.

Key Terms

authoritarian constitution constitutional reform

democracy referendum

Challenge Areas
Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper stating your views
about the proposed constitutional reform in your country. In your letter
take a stand for or against this proposal.

Equipment/Materials Needed
Multimedia equipment, computers and internet connectivity which
should be enough for individual or groups of students to use.

Note to Teacher
You need to inform yourself about the constitution of Commonwealth
Caribbean countries especially Jamaica. Differentiating between
constitution and constituency is of vital importance as students tend to
confuse both terms. Be prepared to answer questions students may
have and ensure full participation in class. Make sure computers are

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 working and internet connection is available before beginning the
class.

Teachers Lesson Notes

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Introduction
1) Introductory Activity

A Nation Is Born Discussion of video.

a. Ask students if they know what were the events which took
place in Jamaica on Independence Day 1962. If so, let them
tell you what they know or heard from older relatives in the
family.
Notes Expected Answer: Jamaica got a new flag; there was a lot
Remind students of celebration; and persons got souvenirs; Jamaica was no
that in previous
lessons of the
longer a colony of Britain.
structure of
government, the b. Next play the video from the link below which shows the
Queen is shown
for some countries
events of August 6, 1962 when Jamaica got its
in the Caribbean independence.
as the Head of
State. This type of
system is referred
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE0bxyCCfuw
to as a
Constitutional After students have watched the video ask them these
Monarchy
questions:
i. Who announced the opening of the first Parliament?
Expected answer: Governor
ii. Where did the flag raising ceremony take place?
Expected answer: National Stadium
iii. Who were some of the key figures at the ceremony?
Expected answer: Governor and Prime Minister
iv. What did the raising of the flag signify?
Expected answer: It signified that Jamaicans no
longer pay homage to the flag of Britain nor their
anthem.
v. What took place the following day?
Notes Expected answer: The next day flags were raised in
Review quickly the schools across the island
role of the Prime
Minister and the
vi. Why were Jamaicans so happy to become
Cabinet from independent?
previous lesson Expected answer: Jamaica was no longer a colony
students have
studied.
of Britain and we could now manage our own
affairs

c. Inform students that for Jamaica to gain independence it is

a great achievement. It meant that Britain no longer
controlled the affairs of the country. It was now the
responsibility of the newly elected Prime Minister and the
locally elected Cabinet. Independence meant that a new

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 constitution had to be developed. This constitution was
drafted before the declaration of independence and it has
remained the standard by which the country is governed.
The constitution contains the most important laws and
principles by which the citizens of a country agree to be
governed.

d. Inform students that this lesson will look at the constitution

as indicated in the lesson objectives.

Body of Lesson
1) Why is the constitution important? Discussion, group work,
internet activity

a. Let students work in small groups. Instruct them to read

from the website below about the constitution of Jamaica.
Ask them to study each chapter and write in their notebook
Try This! its main feature.
Let students be
creative and make
up a few lines of a http://www.nlj.gov.jm/?q=summary-of-the-jamaican-constitution
song about what
they have learnt so
far about the
constitution of b. Next let students play the matching game about the
countries like constitution of Jamaica.
Jamaica. They could
also create a rhythm
to go with the song. Match the main chapters of the constitution with its feature.
Allow them to 1. Supreme law of the land - freedom of movement
perform it for the
class.
2. Citizenship - makes laws for peace and order
3. Rights and freedoms all laws depend on it
4. Governor General audits accounts of government
departments
5. Parliament - persons born to Jamaican parents
6. Executive powers acts on the advice of the Prime
Minister
7. Judicature control of civil servants and police officers
8. Finance can only be changed by two-thirds of
Important Point members
The constitution is a
9. Public service responsible for the direction of the
contract between the country
citizens and their 10. Amendment administration of justice
governments
IT Specialist: This should be interactive where students
drag and drop as they match
Expected answers:
1. Supreme law of the land - all laws depend on it
2. Citizenship - persons born to Jamaican parents
3. Rights and freedoms freedom of movement

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 4. Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime
Minister
5. Parliament - makes laws for peace and order
6. Executive powers responsible for the direction of
the country
7. Judicature administration of justice
Challenge You
8. Finance audits accounts of government
Read through the departments
entire constitution of 9. Public service control of civil servants and police
Jamaican so you
can acquaint
officers
yourself with more of 10. Amendment can only be changed by two-thirds of
its clauses and be members
able to make
informed comments
c. Next discus with students the need for a constitution. Let
them give their opinions. Let them also write a paragraph in
their notebooks about the importance of the constitution to
a country.

2) Can the constitution be changed? Multimedia, discussion,

internet activity.

a. Instruct students to read from the article below projected

onto the screen.

The system of government in Commonwealth Caribbean countries is

democratic. This means that citizens are allowed to criticize the
government and challenge its decision as well as being involved in
consultations. Citizens and interest groups can therefore lobby for
government to make changes to the constitution. Provisions within a
constitution make it difficult for any government to make any
important changes. If there are to be changes some countries require a
referendum. A referendum is an occasion when every citizen in a
country may vote to make a decision on a particular matter or a
proposed change. They usually vote yes or no to the proposal. Other
countries require a two-thirds majority vote by members of both the
House of Representative and the Senate. The clauses of the
constitution refer to changes which occur like this as entrenched
clauses. These clauses protect the rights and freedoms of citizens. This
freedom given to citizens does not exist in some countries. An
authoritarian government makes decisions without consulting with
the citizens. Decisions are made by an individual or a small group
without the knowledge or consent of citizens.

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 What do you b. Next let them look at the video which focuses on proposed
think? constitutional amendments. Encourage them to make notes.
Which aspect of the
Jamaican http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CI0UQqDiRM
constitution would
you like to see
changed? How
IT Specialist: Please edit this video to focus only on the
would the changes part that speaks to constitutional amendments
you suggest benefit
citizens?
c. Answer any questions that students might have based on
the video clip. Ask selected students to explain to the class
why constitutional reform or amendments may be
necessary in a country.

Closure
In Class Assignment
1) Unscramble the following and write the words. Letters in bold type
indicate the first letter of each word. Rearrange the circled letters
to find the answer to the clue at the end.

The constitution is a contract between _______ and government.

IT Specialist: Please can you recreate this for me so it falls in with
the instruction. The boxes at the bottom are not needed
Feed back: Citizens

Supplemental
Out-of-Class Assignment
1) Suggest to students that they visit the websites in the lessons to get
a full understanding of the importance of the constitution in a
country.

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2) Students should also read the relevant sections in their textbooks.
Glossary of Terms

authoritarian where decisions are made by an individual or by

a small group

constitution a document outlining the laws and principles

with which a country is governed

constitutional a change or amendment to the constitution of a

reform country

democracy a government elected by the people who are

allowed to criticize and challenge its decision as
well as being involved in consultations.

entrenched provisions made where the constitution of a

clauses country cannot be changed unless it follows
stipulated requirements

referendum an occasion when every citizen in a country may

vote to make a decision on a particular matter or
a proposed change

CSEC Questions
Select the most suitable answers in the following questions.

(1) Government by the constitution may ensure

i) respect for rights and freedoms

ii) cooperation between citizens and government
iii) survival of democracy
iv) peace and stability

(a) i and ii only (b) i, ii, iii and iv

(c) i, ii and iii only (d) ii, iii and iv only

(2) A referendum is an occasion for every citizen to

(a) vote on a national issue

(b) vote in a national election
(c) refer a matter to the ombudsman
(d) refer a matter to their representative

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 (3) The constitution may only be changed by the

(a) Executive
(b) Judiciary
(c) Parliament
(d) House of Representative

(4) Which of the following are true of democratic systems of

government?

i) It is a government by the people for the people

ii) It recognizes the basic human rights of people
iii) It allows for the election of a leader
iv) It silences all opposition in a ruthless way

(a) i and ii only (b) i, ii and iii

(c) i, iii and iv (d) i, ii, iii and iv

(5) In a democratic country the legislature can do all the following

EXCEPT

(a) delegate work to others

(b) make almost any law it likes
(c) change the constitution
(d) force the government to accept a law
Total 5 mks

Structured Question

(a) Define the term constitution. (2 marks)

(b) Explain THREE provisions that are included in the
constitution of your country. (6 marks)
(c) Suggest to Parliamentarians in your country THREE ways
they can best ensure that citizens rights are protected under
the constitution. (6 marks)
(d) Give THREE reasons why you think your suggestions will
work. (6 marks)
Total 20 marks

Expected answers:
1-B
2-A
3- C
4- B
5-D

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Recommended Materials
Websites to visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NqjWqvE9Ps&feature=relmfu

http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Jamaica/overview.html

Bibliography
Lunt, P., Buckle-Scott, L., Davis-Morrison, V. & Louis, A. (2012)
Social Studies for CSEC. United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes
Ltd.

Ramsawak, Rampersad. Umraw, Ralph. (2010) Modules in Social

Studies 5th Edition. La Romaine, Trinidad, W.I: Caribbean
Educational Publishers.

Ruddock, L.C. and Robinson-Glanville, S. (1994) New Civics for

Young Jamaicans. New Edition. Kingston: Carlong Publishers.

Sandy, Mervyn C. (2012). Social Studies Essentials Kingston,

Jamaica, W.I: Carlong Publishers.

Waterman, Ivan. Fisher, J. (2007) Social Studies for CSEC

Examinations 2nd Edition: Oxford, Macmillan Publishers

Source:

[Computer cartoon character]. Retrieved June 12, 2012, from: URL

http://tinyurl.com/bnoycuq
Web sites used in this Lesson

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