Lesson of the day
Legislative Branch - Grades 7-12
Listen: You can hear the episode here (Apple podcasts), on YouTube or on our website. You can take notes on our graphic organizer while you do, or, our personal favorite: listen on the move!
As you listen to the episode, consider these questions:
Am I really represented by Congress? Is my race/background/experience/belief system reflected in the makeup of the legislative branch?
Is the bicameral (two-house) system a good thing? Would we be better off with just one legislative house, or with three or four? What would that mean for lawmaking and representation?
Walking Activity: Practice being a lawmaker! It’s important to know what is working in your community and what isn’t. As you walk around, take note of the best things about your neighborhood and the things that need some work. Is the nearby school well taken care of? Are the roads in bad shape? Does your town seem to have good recycling practices? Are there enough green spaces for the public to enjoy? When you get home, jot down the major issues you would focus on if you were to represent your community.
Connect: Download (with permission!) the Capitol Bells app to keep tabs on your legislators. You can use it to find your rep, call Congress, track bills, get alerts on vote and plenty more.