Please notice the word “should” in my posts. And these aren’t the more obscure amendments (e.g., 3 or 27), they’re among the more commonly discussed. And I would think that in the days of myspace and blogs and increasingly freaked out school administrations (or so I hear), the first amendment might “resonate well with most kids.”
Without reading any other replies:
**Do you know what the First Amendment is? **
Yes.
**What does it talk about? **
It says that the people of the United States have the right to freedom of speech and religion, a free press, and the freedom to assemble. (I have a feeling I may be forgetting something in here.)
**Do you know what the Second Amendment is? **
Yes.
**What does it talk about? **
It says that Americans have the right to own firearms and participate in a well-ordered militia.
At what age should someone have a mastery of the above stuff?
Grade school (ages 5-12)
Middle school (ages 13-14)
High school (ages 15-18)
College (ages 18-24ish)
Never. The above isn’t basic information, so it doesn’t need to be submitted to memory.
I was in eighth grade when we learned this stuff, I think that’s a good age. So I’ll say “Middle School”.
Do you know what the First Amendment is? Yes, but not word for word.
What does it talk about? Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion. (Seems like I’m leaving something out…)
Do you know what the Second Amendment is? Yes, but not word for word.
What does it talk about? The right for a well-regulated militia to bear arms
At what age should someone have a mastery of the above stuff? A mastery? The Supreme Court Justices are still working on that. Knowledge of the basics? That would depend on the individual student’s capability. Certainly the average kid should know this stuff by the 9th grade.
Why did you ask? (I haven’t read the thread yet…)
(Not looking at other answers just so’s ya know)
Do you know what the First Amendment is?
Yes, but I had to think about it a minute.
What does it talk about?
Freedom of speech, religion and stuff like that.
Do you know what the Second Amendment is?
Yep.
What does it talk about?
Right to bear arms.
At what age should someone have a mastery of the above stuff?
We had to pass a constitution test in order to graduate eighth grade - seems reasonable to me.
I was once in Puerto Rico headed back to Boston when we approached a customs agent (why you have to go through customs to go from a place that is techically already the U.S. I don’t know). I could see he was giving some people a hard time but enjoying it at the same time and everything was moving slowly. When my wife and I walked up, he looked at me and said “Let me ask you just one question. What is the Second Amendment to the Constitution?” I instantly replied “The right to bear arms.” He smiled at me and told me I was the only person to get the question right that day as he held out his to wave us through instantly.
As you can see, knowing at least the first few amandments can be helpful if you are in a slow customs line in Puerto Rico if nothing else. Most people don’t know these things.
I think the amendment that is most familiar is not necessarily known by number. it’s the one that made it a requirement for police to say: you have the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney …" the 6th amendment right to counsel (also to a speedy trial and right to know charges being brought against you.)
Ask people what the Third Amendment is. That’s the rarely used one.