The Legislative Branch: How a bill becomes law
Subject Matter:
Social Studies/American Government
Grade Level:
12th
Lesson Objective:
Learners will demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to the Legislative Branch in how a bill becomes law.
Subject Matter Content Standard:
12.4.1 Discuss Article 1 of the Constitution as it relates to the legislative branch, including eligibility for office and lengths of terms for representatives and senators; election to office; the roles of the House and Senate in impeachment proceedings; the role of the vice president; the enumerated legislative powers; and the process by which a bill becomes a law.
Task:
The United States Congress has procedures it must follow when introducing, discussing and voting on bills. This web hunt will ask you to pick one bill currently being considered by either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Answer the questions and create a presentation of your findings to be presented in class.
Use the following websites to help answers the questions of your web quest:
Constitution of the United States
United States House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
The White House
Gallup Poll
Democratic National Party
Republican National Party
Essential Question:
Subject Matter:
Social Studies/American Government
Grade Level:
12th
Lesson Objective:
Learners will demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to the Legislative Branch in how a bill becomes law.
Subject Matter Content Standard:
12.4.1 Discuss Article 1 of the Constitution as it relates to the legislative branch, including eligibility for office and lengths of terms for representatives and senators; election to office; the roles of the House and Senate in impeachment proceedings; the role of the vice president; the enumerated legislative powers; and the process by which a bill becomes a law.
Task:
The United States Congress has procedures it must follow when introducing, discussing and voting on bills. This web hunt will ask you to pick one bill currently being considered by either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Answer the questions and create a presentation of your findings to be presented in class.
Use the following websites to help answers the questions of your web quest:
Constitution of the United States
United States House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
The White House
Gallup Poll
Democratic National Party
Republican National Party
Essential Question:
- Pick a bill that either the House of Representatives or the Senate is currently considering. What is the bill and what is the purpose of the bill? Do you think this bill will pass? Why or why not? What can you change in the bill to make it fit with your own personal values?
- What is the expected cost or savings to the American public of this particular bill?
- Is the bill in the House or the Senate? Has the bill been approved by the other branch?
- Has there been any amendments made to the bill? If so, what and how many?
- Has the President made any comments about the bill and his/her intention to sign or veto the bill?
- What are the views of the National parties (Republicans and Democrats) in regards to the bill?
- Is there any national polls expressing American opinion about the bill?
- When is the bill expected to be voted on?
- Does the bill follow the powers granted to the House or Senate by the Consitution? Which article gives this power?
Assessment:
Student learning is promoted by the internet because the student will have to analyze several sites to get the answers desired, but it will also require the students to delve deeper into the issue and to think about the process that affects their lives. Student learning will be assessed by answers provided, along with a presentation of their findings.
