Curated OER
Congressional Committees and the Legislative Process
Students consider the importance and influence of congressional committees. They research congressional committee assignments, jurisdictions and responsibilities as illustrations of the basic principles of American federalism.
iCivics
Mini-Lesson: Congressional Committees
How exactly do both houses of Congress come to a formal decision on an issue? Scholars research the use of congressional committees as part of the legislative process. By using current events to analyze information, they see the role...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The House Un-American Activities Committee
Was the House Un-American Activities Committee justified in investigating subversive influences in the entertainment industry? Part two of the three-part series of lessons that examine the anti-communism movement after World War II,...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
The Troubled Elections of 1796 and 1800
Congress does more than create new laws. Political scientists delve into the elections of 1796 and 1800 to understand how political parties, the Electoral College, and personal agendas affected the election process. The resource also...
Carolina K-12
The Electoral College
Put the Electoral College into perspective with a simulation of an election. Scholars experience an electoral vote, participate in an in-depth discussion on the topic, and engage in a congressional committee where they learn about the...
Curated OER
Who influences the development of the laws?
Ninth graders explore how laws are created. They examine how committee members are selected. Students assess the influences that affect the voting of Congressional Committee Members. They identify the formal majority and minority leaders...
Curated OER
The Great Energy Debate
Students research controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the U.S. They role-play as stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee responsible for making decisions about public lands and energy...
Curated OER
A Closer Look at the Lawmaking Process
Students explain how bills becomes laws, and describe the role that Congressional committees play in the lawmaking process.
Carolina K-12
Exploring the Electoral College
Does your vote really count? This activity helps young voters learn about the electoral college through a TED talk, a helpful handout, discussion prompts, and then a role-playing activity that has participants simulating an election on a...
Curated OER
Your Turn to Vote
Students examine the legislative process. In this Congress instructional activity, students consider the functions of Congressional committees as they participate in a simulation that requires them to experience the decision-making...
Curated OER
Witch Hunt or Red Menace? Anticommunism in Postwar America, 1945-1954
High schoolers investigate the goals and methods of the House Un-American Activities Committee and offer an opinion regarding whether their investigation of Hollywood was justifiable.
Curated OER
The Great Energy Debate
Students explore the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in Canada. They research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implication. Students then assume the roles of pivotal stakeholders in this...
Curated OER
Writing and Amending Bills
Students participate in a classroom Congress simulation. They research and write a bill, and enact the passing, amending, and vetoing process of taking a bill through the Committee process of Congress.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Federal Policy and Immigration
How is federal policy established? To gain insight into this complex and often messy process, class members read an article that uses information on attempts to establish public policy in immigration to illustrate the role proposed...
Curated OER
Worksheet on Congress and Interest Groups
In this Congressional responsibilities learning exercise, students respond to 10 true or false and 17 short answer questions about Congressional duties and lobbyists.
Curated OER
M-N-M COMMITTEE
Twelfth graders research present day monetary policy and read about future suggestions for money. They then create a plan that describes the physical look of money in the future and how it will be distributed in the next millennium.
Curated OER
The Organization of Political Parties
Challenge the future world leaders in your class with this instructional activity, which tests their knowledge on the organization of modern political parties. Students can access their prior knowledge of current elections, or notes from...
Curated OER
Early Congress Proclaims Holidays
Students read about and discuss the historical effects of Congressional decision-making in the establishment of national holidays.
Curated OER
Pesticide Laws and Regulations
Students explore the laws and regulations of pesticides. In this pesticides lesson, students research how laws are made and identify the agencies responsible for enforcing the laws. Students research the Internet for laws and bills...
Curated OER
Globalization: Prescription Drug Prices
Students take a closer look at prescription drug prices in the United States and around the world. In this global issues lesson, students investigate health care costs, consider the impact of global prescription agreements, and...
Curated OER
Who Has the Greatest Voice?
Students identify the impact that interest groups, scientists, government health organizations and legislators have on health issues in the United States. They explain the role of the committee hearing in the lawmaking process. Students...
Curated OER
Defining Moments From the Past: Japanese American Internment
Students conduct a mock Congressional Hearing to decide whether or not Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps during World War II should be provided financial restitution. They research and create a time line of events...
Library of Congress
Women's Suffrage Movement Across America
An engaging resource provides many primary source materials to inform a study of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Suggestions include building a timeline of the fight, using the documents as the basis of a DBQ, and/or using a Venn diagram...
Curated OER
Speakers in Action
Tune into C-Span and tape politicians delivering testimony before congress. Class members view these tapes, formulate a rubric for rating the effectiveness of such a speech, and then emulate best practices and include them in their own...