Instructional Video

How a Bill Becomes a Law: Crash Course Government and Politics #9

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

"I'm just a bill, I'm only a bill, and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill." - Schoolhouse Rock. Scholars analyze how a bill becomes a law in the United States government and political arena. They view a short video clip, the ninth lesson of a 50-part unit, and research what it takes for a bill to pass through both houses of Congress to get to the president's desk. The clip encourages open thought and discussion on the difficult path a bill must take before it becomes law. 

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Split the classroom into the House and Senate and pass a bill into law regarding a current school issue (dress code, etc.) 
  • Extend the lesson by showing the Schoolhouse Rock video I'm Just A Bill
Classroom Considerations
  • Make sure students have Internet access if viewing independently
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • Lesson includes the Thought Bubble, which animates the concept for visual learners
  • Resource provides direct primary source examples for further investigation and research 
Cons
  • None