A lesson, one period, grade 7 and up
Two chambers, one text
A bill must pass the House and the Senate word for word. Three real bills across the Capitol, and why one that passed both still did not become law.
- Grades
- 7 and up
- Time
- About 45 minutes
Standards
D2.Civ.3 C3 Framework
- Grades 6-8
- Examine the origins, purposes, and impact of constitutions, laws, treaties, and international agreements.
- Grades 9-12
- Analyze the impact of constitutions, laws, treaties, and international agreements on the maintenance of national and international order.
D2.Civ.5 C3 Framework
- Grades 6-8
- Explain the origins, functions, and structure of government with reference to the U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, and selected other systems of government.
- Grades 9-12
- Evaluate citizens' and institutions' effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.
D2.Civ.12 C3 Framework
- Grades 6-8
- Assess specific rules and laws (both actual and proposed) as means of addressing public problems.
- Grades 9-12
- Analyze how people use and challenge local, state, national, and international laws to address a variety of public issues.
The C3 Framework and Common Core publish these by grade band, so each is shown at every band it has. Neither framework goes above grade 12.
Objectives
- Explain why both chambers must pass the same bill in the same text before it goes to the President.
- Describe the two ways the chambers settle differences: sending amendments back and forth, or a conference committee.
- Use the record's own numbers to find the hardest step between the chambers.
- Trace three real bills and explain why one that passed both chambers still did not become law.
Words this lesson uses
Unanimous consent · Voice vote · Suspension of the rules · Amendment · Public law · Chamber
Defined on the student handout.
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