iCivics
I Civics: Games: Lawcraft
Interactive game that takes the student through the law-making process. Pick a member of Congress and an issue, then see what is necessary to get the bill passed and made into law.
SMART Technologies
Smart: Branches of the Us Government
This interactive lesson can be used to introduce or to review the three branches of the United States government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Congress Oversight Power
This excellent site from the University of Groningen provides a clear overview of the oversight function of Congress. Related American History links include text, essay, and biographical resources.
Library of Congress
Loc: Enactment of a Law
This site explains the legislative process of how a law becomes enacted, step by step.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Little Legislatures
This site from the University of Groningen clearly defines the role of committees in the legislative process, as well as a brief historical perspective on congressional committees. Essays, text and biography links related to American...
US House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk: The Role of the House
Why did the founding fathers create two separate chambers in Congress - the House of Representatives and Senate? Find out the reasons for the dual chamber and the responsibilities of each one. Included is a glossary and printable puzzles...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: How Laws Are Made: The Language of the Law
Learning Adventures from Bensguide summarizes the process of lawmaking outlined in the U.S. Constitution and provides links to a glossary of legislative terms and Congressional Resolution from 2003.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: History of Bills
For any legislative actions enacted upon a specific bill, the specific type of action is recorded in the History of Bills section of the Government Printing Office website. This information comes straight from the Congressional Record,...
Library of Congress
Loc: House Journal: Journals of the House of Representatives
Link directly to the journals for each of the Congresses containing the minutes of the sessions.
Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: Government Travel and Staffers
Who should pay for politicians traveling before it violates ethical codes of abuse of power? Legislators and their staff were offered and accepted millions of dollars worth of free trips. This lesson plan explores the ethics of our...
The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress for Kids: The President and Congress
A brief description of the interaction between the president and Congress. Also includes information about the process for signing a bill into a law and take a quiz to test your learning.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Baker v. Carr
This resource from Khan Academy provides practice questions over Baker v. Carr, a Supreme Court case that addresses equality in voting districts. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Congressional Behavior: Foundational
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational-level practice questions over Congressional behavior. These questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses, including...
US House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk: u.s. House of Representatives: Kids in the House
At this site, you can explore the role the Office of the Clerk plays in the United States House of Representatives. Learn about the legislative process and its effect on you.
US Senate
The u.s. Senate: The Senate and the United States Constitution
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.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Bills
The government directory for making current and past bills accessible to the public. Very useful for finding bills pertinent to classes. Will require teacher direction at the elementary levels.
Other
Gov Spot: u.s. Government, State Government, Congress, Government Jobs
GovSpot is a non-partisan government information portal for and about the U.S. government. Content includes top news surrounding the U.S. government, as well as a wealth of information on top political issues, social services, government...
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Checks and Balances
Descriptions of the separate powers and functions of the three branches of the federal government. Site explains how the powers of one branch check and balance those of another.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Reach of Congress
Although short, this article very clearly describes the investigative powers of Congress and their importance. Links to other American History topics are available, as well.
Other
Page by Page: Constitution of the u.s. Article One
Article One of the Constitution of the United States of America presented by Page by Page Books.com
US Senate
Us Senate: Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whip
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.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The House of Representatives
This great site offers information about qualifications and duties of the United States House of Representatives.
US Senate
Explore the Senate's Past
Covers the workings of the Senate and how it evolved, and includes exhibits of historical photos and paintings. The Oral History section has interviews with people who worked in the Senate, where they discuss their careers and the...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Article 1 of the Us Constitution
Presents a summary and the full text of Artice I of the US Constitution. Article 1 primarily deals with Congress explaining who may become a representative, and who may become a senator, all of the powers that Congress and the individual...