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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Congress Works

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.
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PPT
Curated OER

U.S. Congress Puzzle

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In this government PowerPoint, students view an increasingly larger portion of a photograph of the U.S. Congress as they receive clues about the picture's subject matter. This PowerPoint riddle and photograph format provides an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Does Congress Work That Way?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the powers of Congress. In this legislative branch lesson, students examine the legislative process as they analyze Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Students consider the powers of Congress as they define the role of...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

A Session of Congress Scavenger Hunt

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Congress activity, students utilize the Internet to access one specific website to enable the students to find the answers to five short answer questions dealing with a session in Congress.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Congress Works

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study the role of the U.S. Congress in American government as described in the Constitution. In this U.S. government activity, students watch an overhead about 'public criticisms' in the legislative process and complete a quiz....
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Women's Place is in the House...and Senate!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the different women who have served in the United States Congress. They discuss Senator Hillary Clinton, conduct Internet research, and in small groups complete a grid that compares and contrasts the women who have...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing and Amending Bills

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers 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.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs:the Evolution of Congress

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This extensive lesson used in conjunction with the Ken Burns documentary "The Congress" is designed to develop an understanding of how the U.S. Congress functions by examining its evolution. Links and downloadable materials are provided.
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Website
US Senate

Transparency and Federal Reserve Monetary Policy [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the country's need for the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve to be less secretive and more transparent. Link to file that requires Adobe Reader.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Dirksen Center: Teaching About Congress

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Website with resources for teachers, including lessons, on the U.S. Congress and Congressional Elections. With links to related material and projects.
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Activity
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The u.s. Congress (Grades 6 8)

For Students 6th - 8th
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students grades K-12. This site presents a description of the U.S. Congress. Links to related sites are available.
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Activity
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The u.s. Congress (Grades 9 12)

For Students 9th - 10th
Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students grades K-12. This site presents a description of the U.S. Congress. Links to related sites are available.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Structure of Congress and the Legislative Process Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
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Lesson Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress Link: Lesson Plans

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.
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Handout
US Government Publishing Office

U.s. Government Publishing Office: Our American Government, 2000 Edition

For Students 9th - 10th
A popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. The question-and-answer format covers a broad range of topics dealing with the legislative,...
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Activity
US Senate

Us Senate: Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whip

For Students 9th - 10th
From the U.S. Senate itself, find an explanation of the roles of majority and minority leaders and whips. Also find a complete list of majority and minority leaders dating from 1919 to the present.
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Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Article I, Section 6

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents section 6 of article 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which details the rights and disabilities of members of Congress. The site discusses congressional pay, and privileges from arrest and of speech or debate in an...
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Website
US Senate

U.s. Senate Special Committee on Aging

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this resource to learn more about the Special Committee on Aging. This committee is facing many challenges including, Medicare, prescription drugs, Social Security, the Older Americans Act, and long-term care.
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Website
US Senate

Us Senate Budget Committee

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this resource to learn more about the Senate Budget Committee. It is divided into two parts. The first is a Republican website and the second is a Democratic website.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: How Laws Are Made: The Language of the Law

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Learning Adventures from Bensguide summarizes the process of lawmaking outlined in the U.S. Constitution and provides links to a glossary of legislative terms and Congressional Resolution from 2003.
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Website
US Senate

U.s. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
The responsibilities of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources oversees important legislation in Congress and has distinguished itself as among the most nonpartisan in the Senate.
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Website
Other

Committee on House Administration

For Students 9th - 10th
This website is on the Committee on House Administration. The chairman of this committee is Robert W. Ney. You can read about the latest press releases and House publications at this site.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Government Buildings: The u.s. Capitol (3 5)

For Students 3rd - 8th
Provides brief historical facts on the U.S. Capitol, home of Congress in Washington, DC.
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Handout
US Senate

U.s. Capitol Virtual Tour : A "Capitol" Experience

For Students 3rd - 8th
Panoramic views and historical information about the U.S. Capitol building. It's like you're really there! Requires frames-enabled browser, 16" monitor at 800 x 600 resolution.