SUBJECTS

U.S. Government, Civics

 GRADE LEVEL

6-8

In this lesson, students learn the steps of a bill becoming a law and use this information to write a story about "the life of a bill." Students then evaluate the effectiveness of our system of creating laws.

 LESSON PLAN

Class 1

With a partner, students look up vocabulary and write definitions in handout "How a bill becomes a law-charting the path". With partner, students then read "How laws are made" together, paraphrasing each step and writing in steps in the flow-chart.

Class 2

Put students in groups of 9. Give each student one of the cards with a law-making step on it. Within each group of 9, students must hold up their cards and stand in correct order of the steps of a bill becoming a law.

Explain story assignment to students: they will write a story about "the life of a bill," tracing a bill through all its steps until it becomes a law. They should be creative, but make sure all steps are discussed. (1-2 page story)

Students work independently on story and complete for homework.

Class 3

After writing their stories, students should have a better understanding of the process of a bill becoming law. They will now use this understanding to evaluate the effectiveness of this system.

Students work in groups and make a chart with two sides: "what's good" and "what's not so good" about the system we have for making bills into laws. They should brainstorm and list ideas together. When they finish this, they should decide if we should keep this system or revise it. If they think it should be revised, they need to write down suggestions for possible revisions. Students present their groups' work. Class discusses.

 RESOURCES

Internet Access for:

 "How Laws are Made" reading at http://bensguide.gpo.gov/. [NOTE: The above URL will take you to the Ben's Guide to U.S. Government home page. Once there, select "6-8" from the kite (the yellow block), and then select "How Laws are Made" from the chalk board. The direct link to this page does not always work.]

 "How a bill becomes a law-charting the path" (handout)

 3 sets of 9 cards (large enough to read from far away): each card should have one step of law-making process written on it.

 CREDIT

Hilary G. Conklin