David A. Rojo, Holy Name School, Sheridan, WY
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW
Appropriate for grades 7 & 8.
OVERVIEW: Since early in the 1600's, the United States has been
the new land to people from all over the world. These immigrants
came to the United States for various reasons, some for wealth,
some to escape persecution from a King, and still more for
adventure. All these people came to the United States with many
hopes, dreams, and visions that eventually led up to the forming
of a new country and in 1788, a new form of government. In the
1800's a great migration of people flooded the United States
expanding our population but also bringing with them their
different cultures and value systems. They came to the United
States to participate in a unique form of Government. Not a
government of Kings or Queens, but a government in which they
could enter into and play a major part. Thus the people of the
United States participate in a government for the people, by the
people, and of the people that assures us of certain rights and
privileges.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this activity package is to provide
activities that will encourage students to understand how our
government introduces, passes laws, and makes policy decisions
and, also, to develop in them an increased awareness of the issues
affecting their lives and how they can provide input into the
American political process. As the people of the United States
face some very difficult decisions ahead of them, youth leaders
can use this activity package to stimulate interest and
recognition of issues that are shared by all Americans thus
helping our youth realize that they can make a difference in
federal policy.
OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to (either orally or in
writing):
1. Identify the steps by which a bill becomes federal law in the
United States.
2. Explain the roles and objectives of a congressional lobbyist.
3. Identify at least three issues affecting America today and
explain the problems or conflicts that make them issues.
4. Identify their districts U.S. Representative and their states
U.S. Senator.
5. Identify at least three local government officials.
6. Identify at least three national of local special interest
groups.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Invite a town councilperson to speak to your class. Ask your
visitor to describe how a bill or some piece of legislation
is handled at the local level.
2. Have the students use their social studies text and/or other
reference materials to discover how our bicameral (two house)
legislation came about.
3. Have the students use their social studies text and/or other
reference materials to discover and chart the steps by which
a bill becomes federal law in the United States.
4. Invite a state congressperson to speak to your class. Ask
your visitor to describe a particular piece of legislation,
how it was started, how it fared on floor debate, whether it
passed and what its effects are likely to be.
5. In relation to activity #1, try to arrange a field trip to
observe your local city government at work on some important
issue. If at all possible, see if some people from the
government would be willing to participate in a question and
answer period following the session.
6. Have students examine recent issues of newspapers and
magazines as well as radio and television broadcasts to
determine what local and national issues are currently
attracting attention and debate. Encourage students to find
out what the issues are, who is opposed and for different
solutions. As an end to this activity, have the students
clip relevant newspaper stories, editorials and letters to
the editor, also have them write down any pertinent
information from the radio and television, then choose two
sides and debate the issues.
7. Invite a guest speaker from a special interest group to talk
to your class about their objectives. Have them explain how
they present their issues to government and if they met with
victory or defeat.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED: Social Studies text, Guest Speakers.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: By involving your students in these
activities, you can increase their understanding of how our
government works and increase their prospects of becoming
responsible, effective citizens of the United States.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org