Hi, My name is Bill.
I would love to become a law one day. I would like your help in getting
me there. I need you to help me through the legislative process.
Today, I'm just an idea. I have traveled a long way and will have a long
wait. Oh, how I hope and I pray that one day I'll become a law. Unfortunately,
today I am still just a Bill.
The Tasks: To help Bill become a law,
you will go through several steps. These include:
how a
bill or an idea is introduced in Congress,
where
does a bill or an idea travel after introduction,
what
vote is needed before Bill can travel to senate,
what
two things can possibly happen to a bill in the House or Senate,
if the
bill receives the "majority" vote in both the House and Senate, where does
a bill travel and,
what
does the phrase "veto" mean to a bill and who has the power.
The
Process:
Well,
I am glad to see you hanging in there! I am pleased that you have decided
to join the elite few who have attempted to learn this difficult process.
It will be to your benefit to follow the following steps to help Bill.
The process begins with these web sites that have been arranged for your
convenience.
1. Ben's
ABC's can help you understand what a bill is. Just type in the letter
in which you have a question about. Type B for Bill. I've already
typed the letter "B" for you. Visit
Ben
Franklin's guide of ABC's to help you understand a bill on your
grade level.
2.
The legislative process may be difficult. Ben
Franklin's government kids guide can help you understand difficult
concepts of how the government works on your grade level.
3.Have
you ever listened to some of the song from Schoolhouse Rock. Jack
Sheldon can really help you understand how a bill becomes a law.
Listen to the song
"I'm
Just a Bill", and watch the video written by Jack Sheldon.
ABC's School House Rock aires every Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
4.
Your next step might be to see the the
legislative process. This web site can help you understand how a bill
is introduced to Congress.
5.You'll
find project
vote smart very useful in finding exactly how the legislative process
works.
6.
Try this interactive game, quiz, or activity at
Quia.com
to test your knowledge. GOOD LUCK!
The
Evaluation:
The students performance will
be evaluate by the completion of the task below. The students work
will be evaluated individually as well as group performance.
Beginning
1
Developing
2
Accomplished
3
Exemplary
4
Score
Identify
what a bill is.
Student will be able to
determine that a bill is an idea.
Student will understand
concept of a bill.
Student will understand
and demonstrate that any law had to be a thought or bill first.
Student will be able to
demonstrate where the bill originates and where and who the bill is introduced.
Demonstrate how a bill is
introduced
Student will be able to
understand term of introduction of a bill.
Student will be able to
understand how a bill can be introduced.
Student will be able to
determine what government body deals with law making. Student will be able
to understand phrase "legislative process".
Student will be able to
understand beginning stage of legislative process and that a bill can be
sponsored by either house of Congress, then introduced to House of Representatives.
Demonstrate understanding
of debating and amending of a proposed bill
Student will be able to
understand term "debated" and "amendment".
Student will be able to
demonstrate initial concept of a debate or amendment
Student will be able to
identify amendment of a bill .
Student will be able to
write a bill and amend and/or debate process.
Compare and contrast role
of Senate and House of Representative in the Legislative Process
Student will identify government
body called Congress and that Congress is responsible for lawmaking.
Student will be able to
understand two houses make up Congress and the role each house plays
in how a bill becomes a law.
Student will be able to
understand each house of Congress has to agree on proposed bill and that
committees are assigned by Speaker of the House to oversee process.
Student will be ale to mock
the actual process of the different houses of Congress debating and negotiating
a bill and make necessary amendments if necessary.
Evaluate the Legislative
Process
Understand that the President
signs a completed bill.
Student will identify two
major steps in legislative process
Student will be able to
walk through general steps of how a bill is introduced to Congress, the
amendment process, who has to agree and that the President signs the final
bill. After President signs, the bill becomes a law. Student
will understand concept of veto and who has the power.
Student will be able to
evaluate and organize the complete process of a piece of proposed legislation.
Student will be able to understand that the Senate and the House of Representatives
and the President have to agree. Student will understand and demonstrate
term "veto", who has the power and what happens to the bill if a "veto"
occurs. Student should be able mock complete legislation process.
Conclusion:
Bills, proposed pieces of legislation,
must be passed by the House of Representatives and Senate and approved
by the President before they become law. Under our system of government,
each bill receives careful consideration at every stage of its passage
through the legislature.
Credits & References: Special thanks to "abc.com" featuring
Schoolhouse Rock with Jack Sheldon author of "I'm Just a Bill".
Teacher Advice:
This lesson is anchored in
third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth grade social studies. If the
lesson can easily be extended to additional grades and subjects, mention
that briefly here as well.
The learner will need to
know what the basic information about the government.
The lesson is organized
for beginners. The SchoolHouse Rock "I'm Just a Bill" song is provided
on a link to help children learn the process musically. The lesson
will probably take between 3- 5 days for children to be able to demonstrate
the process. It is single disciplinary activity.
To avoid stumbling blocks,
make sure students listen to song to build basis for understanding.
Teacher does not need any
special skills. Easy enough for a novice teacher. Does require
a little experience with directing debates or role plays.
The lesson can be introduced
in a jigsaw format where groups are assign certain task to perform in legislative
process.
The teacher serves as a
facilitator. The children teach themselves the process. A field
trip to the Capitol would be beneficial at the end of this lesson.
Introduction: