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Your Turn to Vote
Students examine the legislative process. For this Congress lesson, students consider the functions of Congressional committees as they participate in a simulation that requires them to experience the decision-making process that...
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Why Does Congress Work That Way?
Students discover the powers of Congress. In this legislative branch instructional activity, students examine the legislative process as they analyze Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Students consider the powers of Congress as they...
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Communicating with Legislators
Students explain why it is important to communicate with legislators, describe three ways to communicate with legislators, and create a radio public service announcement that explains why it is important to vote and to communicate with...
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The Relationship between Legislators and Constituents
Students discuss roles of a legislator, explain why some people criticize legislators for not looking out for the interests of their constituents, and identify ways citizens can monitor legislators and hold them accountable.
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Who Can Influence Legislators?
Students identify four influences that affect how a Member of Congress decides to vote on a bill, and describe ways that individuals and groups influence legislators.
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Is Government Necessary?
Students investigate the purpose of Congress and determine how it affects them. They explain what life would be like without government.
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Legislative Branch
Young scholars analyze Article 1 of the Constitution. They respond to the Public Criticism E-Learning module.
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The Job of a Legislator
Students review the roles and responsibitlies of members of Congress. After reading excerpts of a book about one member, they write their own version about the same representative. They also identify the challenges and benefits of begin...
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Can We Breathe Easier?
Students list the exclusive and shared powers of the state and national governments. They state the specific role of the national and state governments in enforcing environmental legislation.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Distracted Drivers
How do your students feel about texting while driving? Two political cartoons display the issue using humor, and background information gives a more serious coverage of the dangers and legislation involved. Three talking points drive...
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Slow-moving Process
Students explain why the Framers designed a long and complicated legislative process, and evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.
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Making Laws
Learners list examples of how laws have impacted their daily lives, and describe how legislators debate, discuss, and pass into law public policies that affect individuals and society.
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Members of Congress Who Have Made a Significant Contribution
Students examine laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways. The congressperson in the legislative branch of the government primarily responsible for the passage of the law and the current representatives are sought in this...
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Your turn to Vote
Students develop an understanding of the legislative process. They role play as legislators and witnesses commenting on the proposed bill.
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A Representative Back Home
Students explore the day in the life of a U.S. Congressman through a multimedia presentation. They view the activities of Representative Zach Wamp of Tennessee as he meets with constituents in his home district. In small groups, they...
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Saved by the Law
Young scholars explain the legislative efforts of local or state governments on their city's air quality issues to their classmates as responses to peer-created scenarios. They determine that change is possible with the cooperation and...
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Rights or Fights
High schoolers identify and explain the four doctrines of groundwater use law. Students compare and contrast the doctrines of groundwater use law; High schoolers also research and decide on a groundwater case based on the groundwater...
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Influencing Public Policy
Students read the local newspaper, identify a currrent community issue and develop plans to influence the formation, development, and implementation of a policy to affect the issue. They write a biography about someone who has influenced...
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Who Has the Greatest Voice?
Students identify the impact that interest groups, scientists, government health organizations and legislators have on health issues in the United States. They explain the role of the committee hearing in the lawmaking process. Students...
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It's All About Power
Learners explore the legislative process by discussing a current issue dealing with energy policy. They explain the role of government and how it affects their quality of life. Students identify and list the groups that create energy...
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Stepping Inside the Flowchart: How Does a Bill Become a Law?
Students explore the steps a bill must pass through to become a law and create a flow chart that maps the complexities of the process. They research the committees that are involved in a bill that relates to energy policy and the...
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Life before Congress
Pupils name some interesting backgrounds of Members of Congress, identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government, and describe the background of one local representative or senator.
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Economic Crash and Recovery
Students compile research notes on the Great Depression through library and internet research. They research a New Deal policy and orally present their findings in order to create a class matrix on the different New Deal policies of the...
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Language Arts: Two Specific Documents
Students are able to read and analyze the essential parts of two specific types of documents, the informed consent document and the position paper, used by scientists to communicate information about their research to two different kinds...