Lesson Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress Link: Lesson Plans

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
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.
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.
Activity
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Legislative Branch, the Senate

For Students 3rd - 6th Standards
Activities that students can use to understand the job of the US Senate, and become more engaged in the legislative process.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Legislative Branch

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site designed for students, clearly describes congressional powers and provides excellent accompanying links.
Handout
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: The Legislative Branch: The Veto

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about the President's power to veto a bill, and understand how Congress responds when this happens.
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
US National Archives

National Archives: What Congress Does and Why It Matters

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Students 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 are...
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Legislative Branch: The House of Representatives (6 8)

For Students 6th - 8th
Explores how the House of Representatives was formed, how membership is decided, qualifications, and its special jobs.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Intended for early elementary students, ReadWorks provides an information text about the three branches of government. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Us Congress Facts

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Article provides an overview and interesting facts about the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government.
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.
Interactive
US Mint

United States Mint: Branches of Power

For Students 3rd - 8th
Save the federal government from Oppressor Sam, and learn about the US Constitution to restore the three branches of government.
Activity
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: The Legislative Branch: Making Laws

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Discover how laws are made in the United States, and then complete the trivia questions as a follow-up activity.
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Legislative Branch: The House of Representatives (9 12)

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Explores how the House of Representatives was formed, how membership is decided, qualifications, and its special jobs.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: South Sudan

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides links to numerous documents concerning the government of South Sudan and its executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Links to related articles about the country are also featured.
Website
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: The Three Branches of Government

For Students 3rd - 5th
Each of the three branches of the United States government is described - the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch.
Website
The White House

The White House: The Legislative Branch

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A brief summary of the the Legislative Branch of government and guidelines for membership. The powers of Congress, the legislative process, and even the oversights made by government, to prevent abuse of power, are discussed.
Primary
Other

President Gerald Ford's Special Message to Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the working relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government through Ford's address to Congress in 1976 addressing the need for improvements to programs for the elderly.
Primary
Other

Us Congress: Congress, the Court, and the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Transcript of a congressional hearing, held in 1994, to discuss whether Congress had given too much power to the Supreme Court, against the express intent of the Founding Fathers. This transcript is lengthy but informative, containing...
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.
Handout
US Government Publishing Office

U.s. Government Publishing Office: Our American Government, 2000 Edition

For Students 9th - 10th
A popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. The question-and-answer format covers a broad range of topics dealing with the legislative,...
Activity
University of Missouri

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: The Reach of Congressional Power

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Read about the privileges and powers exercised by Congress from a constitutional law perspective. Includes examples of many cases which have tested the limits of Congressional power in the history of the United States. Many links to...
Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: Legislatures: Laying Down the Law

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This ambitious unit examines the various levels of legislature from federal to municipal, the wants of constituents versus what the legislators feel is right, and the need for compromise. Offers video, activities, and related resources.