Curated OER
Simplified United States Constitution and Bill of Rights
A good handout is a great find. Print this resource and hand out a simplified version of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights to your US government or US history class. The powers of the president, Congress, and the Senate are...
Curated OER
Mock Congress
High schoolers simulate the legislative process of law-making by assuming different roles. They investigate the process by writing a bill on any subject of his/her own choice
Curated OER
Land Use and Lawmaking in California
High schoolers design a plan for a housing development in their city. In this house development lesson plan, students observe pictures of land use, research lawmaking, and develop a plan for an environmentally friendly housing...
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: A Century of Law Making for a New Nation
This site provides a collection of U.S. Congressional documents and debates from 1774 to 1873.
Library of Congress
Loc: Thomas: Legislative Information
This retired site captures historical legislative activity that includes bill summary and status, bill text, public laws by law number, most recent issue, roll-call votes, committee reports, house committees, and senate committees.
PBS
Structure of Congress and the Legislative Process Lesson
This instructional activity explores the structure of Congress and the legislative process. There is an introduction, a research activity, an assessment, and a role play activity.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Reports
Congressional committee transcripts are compiled into the Congressional Reports section of the Government Printing office website. Most of the information included within the Congressional Reports include the gathering of expert...
Library of Congress
Loc: How Our Laws Are Made
This page provides links to every step in the legislative process, from sources of legislation through publication.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: Legislatures: Laying Down the Law
This ambitious unit examines the various levels of legislature from federal to municipal, the wants of constituents versus what the legislators feel is right, and the need for compromise. Offers video, activities, and related resources.
Other
Congress.org
At Congress.org, you can read about legislation being debated by Congress, research recent votes, identify your representatives, send an e-mail to your lawmakers and encourage other voters to join your cause. It is published by CQ Roll...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: How Laws Are Made
An easy-to-understand reading of the process of how a law comes to be.
Other
Streetlaw: Introduction to Law and the Legal System
This website, a unit introducing the law and legal system, is organized into six chapters where you can learn about laws, lawmaking, citizen advocacy, dispute settlements, the court system, and lawyers.
Quia
Quia: Classification Quiz
This resource is an online quiz based at Quia! which allows the student to answer fifty questions on Congress and its activities, and get immediate feedback.