Name:
Per:
Congressional Board Game
Assignment (50 pts.)
Your job is to make a board game that
shows the steps by which a bill becomes a
law. However you format the board game is
up to you. In class, I’ll show you some
examples from previous years; but in
general, I’m looking for the following:





game pieces
the actual game board itself with spaces (see above for a model)
the title of your game,
a rule book that explains how the game is set up.
Game cards that send you backwards or forwards. For example, you
may want to include cards that say:
o “President vetoes your bill: move back 5 spaces” or
o “Bill passes through conference committee: move ahead 2
spaces”
o Bill goes from House to Senate: move ahead 3 spaces
o Etc., etc.
Since there will be four of you in a group, you’re going to divide up
the tasks. Perhaps one student can do the rule book, while another
makes the game cards and yet another does the actual game board.
Either way, I want a list of what each student is doing so I can
grade you individually for what you do!
Similarly, if you’re absent during a day, it’s your responsibility to
make up what you missed so the board game can be completed.
Have fun, be creative, and be sure to include everything
that’s in the rubric!
How a Bill Becomes Law Game Board Rubric
Group: Place students’ names in blanks:
____________
_____________
____________
____________
The following elements must be visible on your game board:
____The bill is created out of an idea from a lawmaker, citizen, or special interest group.
____The bill is introduced in either house by a lawmaker.
____The Speaker of the House sends the bill to a specific standing committee.
____The bill is studied by the committee, marked up, passed or killed.
____The bill is debated and voted on by the House/Senate. The bill fails or is passed.
____The bill is sent to the other house.
____The bill is introduced in the other house by a lawmaker.
____The bill is sent to a specific standing committee by the Majority Leader.
____The bill is studied by the committee, marked up, passed or killed.
____The bill is debated and voted on by the House/Senate. The bill fails or is passed.
____Differing versions of the bill are worked out in Conference Committee.
____Both houses must approve the conference bill.
____The president signs or vetoes the bill. OR the president pocket vetoes the bill
____Override of a veto requires 2/3rd of both houses.
____The bill becomes LAW.
Scoring Rubric:
_____2 points per item above (30 pts)
_____Color and creativity (10 pts)
_____ Images illustrating the process (5 pts) _____ Title present (5 pts)
Total: ____________ (out of 50)