Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: congress.gov: Contrasting Procedures of the Senate and House

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Clearly contrasts the two houses in the US Legislative Branch. It details the commonalities in the making of a law.
Website
US House of Representatives

History, Art, and Archives: Us House of Representatives: Legislative Interests

For Students 9th - 10th
The goals of third generation congresswomen were aimed at creating opportunities for women in education and the workplace. Women members continued to play a prominent part in legislation on diverse national concerns, ranging from Cold...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Legislative Branch

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Students will learn about the structure, function, and powers of the legislative branch of government. They will explore the legislative process, as well as the influence of citizens and political parties. Register for a free account to...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs:the Evolution of Congress

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This extensive lesson used in conjunction with the Ken Burns documentary "The Congress" is designed to develop an understanding of how the U.S. Congress functions by examining its evolution. Links and downloadable materials are provided.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress Represented in Political Cartoons

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will understand Congress through examining political cartoons from different eras. Included is an ebook by Clifford Berryman containing political cartoons [PDF], worksheets, materials, and reflection questions.
eBook
US National Archives

National Archives: Representing Congress: Clifford Berryman's Political Cartoons

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Political cartoons have informed the public and sparked debate throughout history. This ebook contains political cartoons pertaining to Congress. Students will understand the powers and responsibilities of Congress by analyzing these...
Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span Classroom: Teaching About Minimum Wage

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource material for students and teachers on the minimum wage in the U.S. and whether or not Congress and the President should act to raise the minimum wage. Students examine pros and cons by watching C-SPAN videos for background...
Website
US Senate

U.s. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
The responsibilities of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources oversees important legislation in Congress and has distinguished itself as among the most nonpartisan in the Senate.
Activity
US Senate

The U. S. Senate: Senators of the 108th Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the United States Senate provides a current list of the Senators of the 108th Congress. You can sort by state, name or party, view biographical and contact information and much more.
Website
Other

Dirksen Center: Resource: How to Communicate Effectively With Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Resource provides expert tips for reaching your Congress person. Describes the role of Congressmen and women and what they can and can't do for citizens. Site for students and others to better understand Congress.
Activity
US Senate

Us Senate: Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whip

For Students 9th - 10th
From the U.S. Senate itself, find an explanation of the roles of majority and minority leaders and whips. Also find a complete list of majority and minority leaders dating from 1919 to the present.
Website
US Senate

The u.s. Senate: The Senate and the United States Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the United States Senate provides information about the evolution of the Senate as the Constitution was being written by the Constitutional Congress.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Us Government for Kids: Legislative Branch Congress

For Students 1st - 9th Standards
Kids learn about the Legislative Branch of the United States Government. It's also called the Congress and is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: congress.gov: The Legislative Process: Senate Floor

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Watch this video on the unique rules and procedures governing floor debate and amending in the Senate. A transcript is provided, along with a chart of the legislative process. [4:18]
Activity
Other

U.s. House of Representatives: The Legislative Process

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Learn about the House of Representatives and how it carries out its responsibilities and duties according to the U.S. Constitution.
Article
Other

The Verge: All the Ways Congress Is Taking on the Tech Industry

For Students 9th - 10th
After the 2016 presidential contest and years of investigations from intelligence experts, Congress woke up to the power Big Tech holds over democracy - whether it's through collecting data or serving up political ads. For legislators,...
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: What Congress Does and Why It Matters

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Young scholars will analyze primary sources related to Congress to learn the specific powers of the Legislative Branch. Included is a chart to download and print, worksheets, materials, and an answer key. Primary sources to be examined...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Congress in a Flash!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn what Congress is, what the Constitution says about the legislative branch, and how a bill becomes law. They analyze some actual language from the Constitution, compare the House and the Senate, and simulate the lawmaking...
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Lesson Plans Congress, the President, and the War Powers

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Examine the power of Congress to make war by studying primary source documents from various wars throughout U.S. history. Students will analyze how the balance of authority between the legislative branch and executive branch has changed...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Voting in Congress

For Teachers 9th - 10th
n this lesson, students learn what factors members of Congress consider when deciding whether to vote for a bill, including the powers given to Congress by the Constitution, what a member's constituents want, his or her political party's...
Website
Other

Committee on Rules u.s. House of Representatives

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource describes the Committee on Rules as an arm of the leadership of both parties, the committee is at the center of both political and legislative battles. The role of this committee has changed over time.
Website
Other

The Dirksen Congressional Center

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An effective site that provides non-partisan information concerning Congress and its leaders. The website includes CongressLink, up-to-date information on the US Congress; Congress for Kids, an excellent resource for younger students on...
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress, the Great Society, and Today

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will study the Great Society and the role Congress played in shaping it. This lesson plan focuses on small group research to draw conclusions on the historical significance of each aspect of The Great Society Congress. Sources...
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress Debates the Fate of the Nation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will use a copy of the Wilmot Proviso and a map used by President Polk in an address to Congress to debate whether territory acquired through the Mexican War should be free or slave states. This debate in Congress served as a...