The Legislative Branch

The legislative branch is Congress. It makes the laws for our country. Congress has two parts, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress has a lot to consider when making decisions about our laws. Here you’ll get to try it out as you get a behind-the-scenes look as how a bill really becomes a law.

Resources cover the lawmaking process, the Senate and House of Representatives, and the role of a member of Congress. 


Lesson Plans Games Web Quests
We have a variety of lesson plans designed to fit your classroom.
All Plans
Why Do We Have A House And Senate, Anyway?
Summary:
Students learn why there are two houses of Congress and discover how a bicameral legislature ensures that all states have a voice in bills. Together, the class creates a school cell phone policy and...
Concepts:
Representation by population vs. one vote per state; bicameral vs. unicameral; creating laws requires compromise
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Voting In Congress: More Than "Yea" or "Nay"
Summary:
Students learn what factors members of Congress consider when deciding whether to vote for a bill. These include the powers given to Congress by the Constitution, members’ personal opinions,...
Concepts:
Limited government; the expressed, implied, and prohibited constitutional powers; factors Congress considers when voting, specifically the...
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Represent Me! Represent Me! In Represent Me!, you work as a legislator trying to meet the needs of your constituents.
LawCraft LawCraft Want to make some laws? You can in LawCraft, where you play a member of Congress from the state of your choice.
Making Laws
Making Laws

Do you ever wish you could make the rules? Well, there are people whose job it is to make the rules for this country. These rules are called laws, and the people who make them are called Congress. In this activity, you'll get an introduction to your members of Congress and what they do. Maybe someday this will be you! 

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