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Lesson Plan
University of North Carolina

Congress and the Legislative Process: A Simulation in How a Bill Becomes a Law

For Teachers 10th Standards
As part of the study of the legislative process, scholars research redistricting and gerrymandering and the effects of these activities on lawmaking. On day one of the two-day plans, individuals redistrict the state of Elbonia so that...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

An African American Represents Alabama during Reconstruction

For Teachers 4th Standards
The era after the Civil War saw a flourishing of African Americans exercising their rights. Using graphic organizers and Internet research, pupils consider the legacy of Benjamin Sterling Turner, who sat in Congress. Afterward, they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preserving Democracy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Using the documents, they identify the ideas of how the government should be run. In groups, they develop a skit that encourages people to be...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Job of a Legislator

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Qualities of a Member of Congress

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the roles and responsibilies of a member of Congress. In groups, they brainstorm a list of qualities senators and representatives should have. They also work together to develop a brochure for someone to examine if they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Texas, Who Represents You?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students use the Internet to identify the representatives and senators for the state of Texas. They search for specific information using their home address and complete a worksheet.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Thomas: Legislative Information

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This retired site captures historical legislative activity that includes bill summary and status, bill text, public laws by law number, most recent issue, roll-call votes, committee reports, house committees, and senate committees.
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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.
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: The Legislative Process: Congress at Work

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Students will analyze historical records of the House and Senate to understand the sequence of steps in the legislative process. The students will work collaboratively to study documents and identify the step in the process that each...
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Graphic
National Geographic

National Geographic: The Electoral College

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover how the United States elects its president by using an Electoral College. A map shows how the Electoral College's 538 members are distributed throughout all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
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Lesson Plan
Cynthia J. O'Hora

Mrs. O's House: Government Travel and Staffers

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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 activity explores the ethics of our...