Legislative Branch Unit Day Section Standard(s) Focus

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Barbara Farmer
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1 Day Section Standard(s) Focus 1 Congressional Membership LWBBAT understand a rough outline of Congress. LWBBAT describe the similarities and differences of the House and Senate. on historical background of Congress a. Sessions b. Members of Congress as a whole c. Characteristics most Congressmen/Senators have d. Reelection to Congress e. Brief campaign outline 2. Activity: Half of class reads membership of the House, Half of class reads membership of Senate a. As a class, make a chart of similarities and differences of the two chambers Vocabulary: bicameral, gerrymandering, redistricting, reapportionment 2 The House of Representatives LWBBAT understand the role of the House Rules Committee. LWBBAT understand the organizational view of the House leadership. continued from the chart from the day before a. See House leadership b. Importance of House committees vs. Senate Committees i. House committee work, party affiliation 2. Activity: Students read section on House Rules Committee a. Large class discussion on what it is and the purpose of it Vocabulary: House Rules Committee 3 The Senate LWBBAT understand the organizational view of the Senate leadership. a. Organization of Senate b. How bills are scheduled in Senate c. How bills are looked at in Senate

2 2. Activity: Make a Chart a. Compare rules and procedures of House and Senate 4 Congressional Committees 5 Staff and Support Agencies C2.2.3 Use past and present policies to analyze conflicts that arise in society due to competing constitutional principles or fundamental values. Vocabulary: majority floor leader, minority floor leader, filibustering LWBBAT articulate the different types of committees in the House and the Senate. LWBBAT describe how committee chairpersons are the most powerful people in Congress : main purposes of committees a. Divide work into smaller groups b. Select bills to be introduced for further consideration c. Hold public hearings/investigations on key problems/issues facing nation 2. Activity: Understanding types of committees a. Groups looks into 4 types of committees and what they do 3. Notes a. Committee assignments b. Committee chair person s role c. Seniority system Vocabulary: standing committees, select committees, joint committees, conference committees LWBBAT articulate the role staff and supporting agencies play in Congress a. Congressional staff b. Personal staff c. Committee staff d. Support agencies i. Library of Congress ii. Congressional Budget Office iii. General Accounting Office iv. Government Printing Office 2. Activity: Political Cartoons a. Analyze political cartoons on how members of Congress need to balance the need for large staffs

3 with the need for budget cuts. 6 Web Quest on Organization of Congress C2.2.5 Use example to investigate why people may agree on constitutional principles and fundamental values in abstract, yet disagree over their meaning when they are applied to specific situations. Vocabulary: Congressional staff, personal staff, committee staff, support agencies LWBBAT use websites to gain information on Representatives and Senators. LWBBAT articulate their opinion on whether their Representative and Senators are doing the job. 1. Web Quest on our Representative and Senators. 7 Constitutional Powers C2.1.3 Explain how the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and C3.1.5 Use case studies or examples to examine tensions between the three branches of government. LWBBAT articulate the Constitutional powers given to Congress. LWBBAT demonstrate which Constitutional power is used in a given situation. a. Expressed power b. Legislative powers c. Non-legislative powers d. Implied powers 2. Activity: Examples of Each Power a. Groups will list 3 or more examples that the Constitution expresses, implies, and denies Congress. 8 Investigations and Oversight Vocabulary: expressed powers, necessary and proper clause, implied powers, revenue bill, appropriations bill, interstate commerce, impeachment LWBBAT articulate Congress power to investigate. LWBBAT describe a Congressional investigation and give their opinion on it. a. Congress power to investigate b. Notable investigations i. Senator McCarthy in 1950s 2. Activity: video a. Clip on investigation or power of investigations b. Write paragraph summary with their own opinion 3. Activity: article

4 a. Read article on legislative oversight b. Write paragraph summary with their own opinion 9 Congress and the President 10 How a Bill Becomes a Law 11 How a Bill Becomes a Law Continued C2.1.3 Explain how the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and C2.2.3 Use past and present policies to analyze conflicts that arise in society due to competing constitutional principles or fundamental values. C3.1.5 Use case studies or examples to examine tensions between the three branches of government. C3.2.1 Explain how the principles of enumerated powers, federalism, separation of powers, bicameralism, checks and balances, republicanism, rule of law, individual rights, inalienable rights, separation of church and state, and popular sovereignty serve to limit the power of government. Vocabulary: legislative oversight LWBBAT articulate the relationship between Congress and the President. LWBBAT identify the powers specifically given to the President and Congress and when they can use these powers. a. Checks and balances b. Political timetables c. Party politics d. President s emergency powers e. Legislative veto f. Line-item veto 2. Activity: Political Cartoon a. Analyze political cartoons with discussion over cartoons commenting on the relationship between Congress and the President Vocabulary: checks and balances, veto, legislative veto, line-item veto LWBBAT articulate how a bill becomes a law. ** Pass out Friday Forum Journal** a. Types of bills and resolutions b. Steps of How a Bill Becomes a Law i. danofpop/images/howbillbecomeslaw.jpg Vocabulary: mark up, conference committee LWBBAT articulate how a bill becomes a law. 1. Activity: Put a Bill through Congress a. Students become Congress and tell how to put a Bill through Congress 2. Video: Schoolhouse Rock

5 a. Watch Schoolhouse Rock s How a Bill Becomes a Law 12 Taxing and Spending Bills 13 Influences on Congress and Helping Constituents C3.1.6 Evaluate major sources of revenue for the national government, including the constitutional provisions for taxing its citizens. Vocabulary: mark up, conference committee LWBBAT describe the authority both the House and the Senate have over revenue and tax legislation. LWBBAT articulate how Congress appropriates money. a. How decisions about taxes are made b. How Congress appropriates money 2. Activity: Write 2 paragraphs a. Students answer the question: What control does the House Ways and Means Committee have over presidential requests for changes in tax laws? Vocabulary: tax, closed rule, appropriation, authorization bill, entitlement LWBBAT articulate the influences Congress has from their constituents, lobbyists, parties, and PACs. LWBBAT identify how Congress helps its constituents. : Influences on Congress a. Constituents b. Lobbyists c. Parties d. PACs e. Other 2. Activity: Special-Interest Group literature a. Read it and write a one page paper over what it does and students opinion of it 3. Notes: Helping Constituents a. Casework b. Pork barrel legislation c. Logrolling d. Public works legislation 4. Activity: Article a. Read current article with example of federal money being spent to help constituents.

6 15 Friday Forum C2.1.3 Explain how the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and C2.2.5 Use example to investigate why people may agree on constitutional principles and fundamental values in abstract, yet disagree over their meaning when they are applied to specific situations. Legislative Branch Unit Vocabulary: lobbyist, political action committee (PAC), constituents, parties, casework, pork barrel legislation, logrolling, public works legislation LWBBAT defend their position on a topic. LWBBAT articulate what happens in the legislative branch. 1. Activity: Friday Forum a. Friday Forum over: Is our Representative working to pass laws that are helpful and important? 16 Unit Test C2.1.3 Explain how the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and LWBBAT articulate what happens in the legislative branch. 1. Unit Test over Legislative Branch C2.2.3 Use past and present policies to analyze conflicts that arise in society due to competing constitutional principles or fundamental values. C2.2.5 Use example to investigate why people may agree on constitutional principles and fundamental values in abstract, yet disagree over their meaning when they are applied to specific situations. C3.1.5 Use case studies or examples to examine tensions between the three branches of government. C3.1.6 Evaluate major sources of revenue for the national government, including the constitutional provisions for taxing its citizens. C3.2.1 Explain how the principles of enumerated powers, federalism, separation of powers, bicameralism, checks and balances, republicanism, rule of law, individual rights, inalienable rights, separation of church and state, and popular sovereignty serve to limit the power of government.

Unit Test. Procedure: Warm Up/Attendance (5 min) While students enter the room, they will be able to study while I take attendance.

Unit Test. Procedure: Warm Up/Attendance (5 min) While students enter the room, they will be able to study while I take attendance. Unit Test Objective: Standards: LWBBAT articulate what happens in the legislative branch. C2.1.3 Explain how the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights reflected political principles