Option 3 - The Legislative Process: Creating a Game Board
A) Take out your information sheet on How A Bill Becomes a Law. You can also use your
textbook or the Internet (any resource that helps you understand the process).
B) Create your own game board that helps you and other students learn how a bill becomes a
law.
C) Brainstorm a word bank of terms that can be used as game cards as a bill moves from
start to finish. Terms should include but are not limited to:
1. Lobbyist
2. Pigeonhole
3. Filibuster
4. Rules Committee
5. Mark-Up
6. Debate
7. Veto
8. Override
9. Pocket veto
10. Recommend to the Floor
D) Take a look at the sample game board. (Next page). Use images from your Internet, hand
drawn images, or Xerox copies from your book to complete the game board.
E) Create game cards that help the bill move backwards or forwards. Make your game board
colorful (lots of red, white, and blue) and have it reflect the legislative process of moving
through both houses, committees, and to the President.
A Game Board Example
How a Bill Becomes Law Game Board Evaluation Sheet
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. Pocket veto or failure to act is also possible.
___Override of a veto requires 2/3rd of both houses.
___The bill becomes LAW.
Subtotal: ______ 2 points per item (30 points) ___Title, Color and creativity (10 points)
___Images illustrating the process (10 points)
Total: ____________ 50 out of 50 possible