Name: Mr. Maicki
7th Grade Social Studies
Week 5: Government
Unit: The Legislative Branch
Students will learn about the structure, function, and powers of the legislative branch of government. They will
explore the legislative process, as well as the influence of citizens and political parties. Students learn what Congress
is, what the Constitution says about the legislative branch, and how a bill becomes law. Students learn why there are
two houses of Congress and discover how a bicameral legislature ensures that all states have a voice in bills.
Students learn what factors members of Congress consider when deciding whether to vote for a bill. These include
the powers given to Congress by the Constitution, members’ personal opinions, political party support, and what
voters think
Essential Questions:
What different roles must senators and
representatives consider when they
make decisions?
What are the functions of the legislative
branch of U.S. government?
How does the law making process work in
U.S. government?
Learning Target
10 points
I can explain the structure and powers of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal
government.
I can describe the legislative process in the U.S. Congress
I can identify the legislative branch’s role in the system of checks and
balances/separation of powers.
I can analyze a primary source (excerpts of Article I)
Rate your own mastery of this learning target. Remember that your rating can change over time:
New To Me (1)
I can model the lawmaking process by participating in a role-play activity
I can model the effect of unicameral and bicameral voting systems
I can analyze the effect of a unicameral versus a bicameral system
I Got This! (10)
10 points
Rate your own mastery of this learning target. Remember that your rating can change over time:
New To Me (1)
I can identify the constitutional powers of Congress.
I can describe the factors members of Congress weigh when voting on bills.
I can demonstrate how members of Congress weigh factors by voting on hypothetical
bills.
I Got This! (10)
10 points
Rate your own mastery of this learning target. Remember that your rating can change over time:
New To Me (1)
I can evaluate information in order to apply each factor to real-life issues in the
hypothetical bills.
I can weigh the importance of the factors by deciding whether to vote “yea” or “nay” on
each bill.
I Got This! (10)
10 points
2 [Type text]
Rate your own mastery of this learning target. Remember that your rating can change over time:
New To Me (1)
I Got This! (10)
Vocabulary to Master:

session

committee

bill

veto

term

House

Senate

bicameral

representative

enumerated

debates

congress


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