Nine States Say Yes: Ratifying the Constitution
In the hot summer of 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia to write a new plan for the United States government. After months of debate, they created the United States Constitution. However, drafting the document was only the first step. It could not become the law of the land just because the delegates signed it. Instead, the Constitution had to be sent to the individual states for ratification, which meant official approval.
Under Article VII of the new Constitution, nine of the thirteen original states had to ratify the document before it could take effect. Even then, the new framework would only apply to the states that agreed to accept it. This rule was a major shift from the country's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation. Under the older rules, all thirteen states had to agree on any major changes. Getting every state to agree had proven nearly impossible. By requiring nine states instead of thirteen, the framers hoped to give the new government a realistic chance to begin.
- delegates:
- People chosen to represent others at a formal meeting or convention.
- ratification:
- The act of giving official approval to a formal document or agreement.
- framework:
- A basic structure or plan that supports a system, such as a government.
- conventions:
- Formal gatherings of people meeting for a common purpose or debate.
- amendments:
- Official additions or changes made to a constitution or legal document.
- binding:
- Legally enforceable and requiring people or states to obey.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why was signing the Constitution in Philadelphia not enough to make it the official law of the land?
- 2How did the ratification rule under Article VII differ from the voting system under the Articles of Confederation?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for 5th Grade
“Nine States Say Yes: Ratifying the Constitution” is a explanatory article reading passage about Ratification of the United States Constitution, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (501 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.