iCivics
Congress
Through reading materials, worksheets, and a primary source activity, this resource provides an overview of the structure and powers of the legislative branch of government in the United States. Readings review how a bill becomes a law,...
Curated OER
Creating Laws
Students view Schoolhouse Rock, I'm Just a Bill video. They explain how a bill becomes a law as well as define the difference between a bill and a law. They discuss how political beliefs might effect the process of a bill becoming a law.
US National Archives
National Archives: Congress at Work: Presidential Veto
The veto process is an integral part of our checks and balances. Introduce the power of the presidential veto and override to a class using an example from President Nixon's administration. Materials include the Constitution, worksheets,...
Other
The Dirksen Congressional Center
An effective site that provides non-partisan information concerning Congress and its leaders. The website includes CongressLink, up-to-date information on the US Congress; Congress for Kids, an excellent resource for younger students on...
Other
Project Vote Smart: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Project Vote Smart provides a detailed guide to the process of making a bill become a law. Content also includes links for more explanation on certain topics.
US House of Representatives
U.s. Capitol: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Learn about the legislative process in the United States through this interactive tutorial, which demonstrates to students how a bill becomes a law.
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 House of Representatives
Kids in the House: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Interactive website in which students build a bill and journey through the process of how a bill becomes law. With links to significant material, glossary, and resources for teachers.
Other
Project Vote Smart: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Project Vote Smart provides a detailed guide to the process of making a bill become a law. Content also includes links for more explanation on certain topics.
Indiana University
Center on Congress: Learn About Congress
Learn about the role of the US Congress, how it works, its history, and the principles behind its creation and operation. Wonderful set of resources including FAQs, short articles and video clips, "interactive learning modules" (i.e., a...
iCivics
I Civics: Congress in a Flash!
Students learn what Congress is, what the Constitution says about the legislative branch, and how a bill becomes law. They analyze some actual language from the Constitution, compare the House and the Senate, and simulate the lawmaking...
iCivics
I Civics: Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch?
Students find out how the three branches of government interact with each other and how decisions about laws are made by several parts of the U.S. government.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: Tracking a Bill From Beginning to End
Learning Adventures guide on how a bill becomes a law summarizes the legislative process and makes it understandable for students of all ages. With links to U.S. Government publications.
Other
State of Michigan: How a Bill Becomes a Law [Pdf]
Learn the steps involved in making a new law. The document explains how bills become laws in the state of Michigan, but the process is the same as it is for other states as well.
US Government Publishing Office
U.s. Government Publishing Office: Congressional Bills
The government directory for making current and past bills accessible to the public. Very useful for finding bills pertinent to classes. Will require teacher direction at the elementary levels.
CommonLit
Common Lit: How a Bill Becomes a Law
A learning module that begins with "How a Bill Becomes a Law," accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher and student...
PBS
Pbs: Passing a Bill Through Congress
Student handout provides the steps for how to pass a bill through Congress.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: How a Bill Becomes a Law
This lesson will focus on how bills become laws. This interdisciplinary lesson combines social studies, language arts and reading skills and concepts. Students will research the topic through the Internet and other digital resources and...
iCivics
I Civics: Constitution Day Lesson Plan
This interactive lesson gives students a quick snapshot of the Constitution, including the purpose of each article, the powers of the three branches, how a bill becomes a law, and the concepts of separation of powers and checks and...
Other
Schoolhouse Rock: I'm Just a Bill
This site from Schoolhouse Rock provides the lyrics to a song from History Rock. Follow the trek of this little bill, all the way to becoming a full-fledged law. This comes from the popular 1970s cartoon series, Schoolhouse Rock.