Lesson Plan - Your Guide to Congress

About the Article

Learning Objective

Students will learn about the legislative branch by integrating information from an article, a video, and infographics.

Curriculum Connections

• The U.S. Constitution

• Three Branches of Government

• Legislation

• Civics

Key Skills

Social Studies:

• Study our system of government

• Understand civic ideals and practices

• Examine the ways in which institutions change over time

English Language Arts:

• Integrate information presented in multiple formats

• Learn and use domain-specific vocabulary

• Identify central ideas and key details

Key CCSS Standards

RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.4, SL.6-8.1

1. Preparing to Read

Build Knowledge and Vocabulary

Provide these questions for students to think about as they watch the video “Unboxing Congress”: What are the two parts of Congress? How are they different? Discuss responses. Then use the Skill Builder Words to Know to preteach domain-specific terms in the article.

2. Reading and Discussing

Read the Article

Read the article aloud or have students read it independently or in pairs. As students read, direct them to circle or highlight any words whose meanings they aren’t sure about.

Answer Close-Reading Questions

Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.

• What are the terms and requirements for members of the Senate and House of Representatives? (Key Details)
Members of the Senate serve six-year terms, and members of the House serve two-year terms. Someone has to be at least 30 years old and have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years to be a senator. Someone has to be at least 25 years old and have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years to be a representative.

• What evidence supports the idea that passing laws is an uphill battle? (Text Evidence)
In most cases, a bill can become law only if it is approved by the president and by a majority in both the House and the Senate. A single senator can stop or delay a bill from becoming a law using a filibuster. Between January 2019 and January 2021, only 344 of 16,601 proposed bills became law. Sometimes lawmakers introduce bills even when they know the bills don’t have enough support to pass.

• What are the main jobs of Congress? (Text Features)
The main jobs of Congress include making laws, setting taxes, and determining how that money is spent. Lawmakers also hold oversight hearings to make sure the government is working properly. Congress has the sole power to declare war. Lawmakers’ other jobs include regulating trade between states and between the U.S. and other countries and making sure the U.S. Postal Service is able to deliver the mail on time.

3. Skill Building

Understand Government

Assign the Skill Builder The Three Branches of Government to have students read and answer questions about a diagram that explains the powers of each branch of government.

Assess Comprehension

Assign the 10-question Know the News quiz, available in PDF and interactive forms.

Printable Lesson Plan

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Lesson: Your Guide to Congress

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Interactive Slide Deck

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Slide Deck - Your Guide to Congress

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