Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understanding the Concept of Congress: Students will grasp the basic concept of Congress as a legislative body. They will learn that Congress is the primary law-making institution of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

2. Exploring the Structure of Congress: Students will study and analyze the structure of Congress. They will understand that Congress is a bicameral institution, meaning it is composed of two separate chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, each with its own unique powers and responsibilities.

3. Comprehending the Power of Congress: Students will delve into the powers of Congress, both enumerated and implied, and how these powers impact the daily lives of Americans. They will learn that Congress has the authority to make laws, declare war, regulate commerce, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.

4. Understanding the Functions of Congress: Students will explore the various functions of Congress, including law-making, representation, oversight, and conflict resolution. They will learn how these functions shape the political landscape and influence policy decisions.

Secondary Objectives:

1. Promoting Active Learning: Through the flipped classroom approach, students will engage in active learning, conducting research, and participating in class discussions and activities. This will foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter and enhance critical thinking skills.

2. Developing Collaboration Skills: By working in groups during the in-class session, students will enhance their collaboration and communication skills. They will learn to respect diverse opinions, present their ideas coherently, and actively listen to their peers.

Introduction (7 - 10 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Knowledge: The teacher begins the lesson by reminding students of the basic structure of the United States government, emphasizing the division of powers into three branches - the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial. The teacher also reviews the concept of federalism, as this will be relevant to understanding the power and function of Congress.

2. Problem Situations: The teacher then presents a couple of problem situations to the students. For instance, "What happens when the President proposes a law, but the majority in Congress disagrees?" or "How does Congress ensure that laws are carried out effectively?" These questions are designed to stimulate the students' thinking and to make them understand the real-world implications of the topic.

3. Contextualization of the Topic: The teacher explains the importance of understanding the Congress. They highlight that Congress is responsible for making laws that impact every aspect of their lives, from education and healthcare to the economy and national security. The teacher also emphasizes that the students' understanding of Congress will also help them make sense of current events and political debates.

4. Engaging Introduction: The teacher captures the students' attention by sharing two intriguing stories related to the topic. One could be about the longest filibuster in the history of the United States Senate, where a senator spoke for over 24 hours to delay a vote on a bill. Another could be about the first woman to serve in Congress, Jeannette Rankin, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 1916, years before women had the right to vote. These stories are meant to pique the students' interest and to show the richness of the topic they are about to delve into.

5. Topic Introduction: The teacher then introduces the topic formally, stating that the lesson will focus on the Structures, Power, and Functions of Congress. They explain that the students will learn about the two chambers of Congress, the powers they hold, and the work they do. The teacher also informs the students that they will be using a flipped classroom approach, where they will learn about Congress at home and then apply that knowledge in class through discussions and activities.

Development

Pre-Class Activities (15 - 20 minutes)

1. Reading and Note-Taking: The teacher provides a text that covers the basics of Congress, including its structure, powers, and functions. A simple, comprehensive chapter from a high school-level civics or history textbook could be used. Students are asked to read the text thoroughly and take notes in their own words, focusing on the main points and any questions or areas of confusion they may have.

2. Video Resource: The teacher shares an engaging and informative video that visually explains the structure, powers, and functions of Congress. The video should be around 10-15 minutes long, allowing for a comprehensive overview. Students are instructed to watch the video attentively, pausing and rewinding as needed, and jot down any new insights or questions that arise.

3. Self-Assessment Quiz: After reading the text and watching the video, students are given a short online quiz to check their basic understanding. The quiz contains multiple-choice and true/false questions related to the structure, powers, and functions of Congress. The teacher ensures the questions are varied and cover the main points of the lesson.

In-Class Activities (25 - 30 minutes)

Activity 1: "Congress Showcase"

1. Group Formation: The teacher divides the class into small groups of five to six students. The teacher ensures each group has a mix of high, medium, and low-performing students to encourage peer learning.

2. Congress Components: Each group is given a set of components representing the structure and functions of Congress. These include cards representing the two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as cards for various powers and functions of Congress.

3. Presentation Preparation: The groups are tasked with constructing a visual representation of Congress using the provided components. They need to arrange the cards in a way that reflects the structure and functions of Congress, and assign the powers and functions to the appropriate chambers.

4. Presentation Time: Once the groups have finished, they present their visual display to the rest of the class, explaining their design choices and how the components relate to the topic. Each presentation should last no more than five minutes.

5. Class Discussion: After all groups have presented, the teacher facilitates a class discussion where students can ask questions and provide feedback to their peers. This allows for a deeper understanding of the topic, as students learn from each other's perspectives and interpretations.

Activity 2: "Congress Debate"

1. Debate Topic Selection: After the "Congress Showcase" activity, each group is given a different controversial topic for a mock debate, such as gun control, environmental regulation, or healthcare reform. The teacher ensures topics are relevant and foster critical analysis of Congress's powers and functions.

2. Research and Preparation: Groups are given time to research their assigned topic, using the knowledge they've gained about the powers and functions of Congress. They are encouraged to think about how Congress can legislate on their topic, the challenges it may face, and its potential impact on society.

3. Debate Performance: Each group then presents a short, structured debate on their topic. They argue for or against a hypothetical bill related to their topic, considering the powers and functions of Congress. Each group member should have a role in the debate, such as a senator, a representative, a lobbyist, or a concerned citizen.

4. Class Vote: After all groups have debated, the class votes on which group presented the most compelling arguments. This encourages students to critically evaluate the presented material and apply their understanding of Congress's powers and functions to a real-world issue.

5. Reflection and Discussion: The teacher facilitates a reflective discussion after the debate, asking students to share what they learned from the activity. This helps to consolidate their understanding of Congress's powers and functions and how they influence lawmaking and policy decisions.

By the end of these activities, students should have a solid understanding of the structure, powers, and functions of Congress, and be able to apply this knowledge to analyze real-world issues.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Reflections: The teacher invites each group to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities. Each group is given a maximum of 3 minutes to present. This time limit encourages students to be concise and focus on the most important points. The teacher ensures that each group gets an equal opportunity to share and that the discussion remains focused on the lesson's objectives.

2. Connecting Theory and Practice: After the presentations, the teacher facilitates a discussion to connect the group's findings with the theoretical understanding of the structure, powers, and functions of Congress. They highlight how the group activities reinforced the lesson's objectives and provided a practical application of the knowledge gained from the pre-class activities.

3. Assessment of Learning: The teacher assesses the students' understanding by asking probing questions related to the activities. For instance, "How did your group decide to distribute the powers and functions of Congress in your 'Congress Showcase'?" or "What was the most challenging aspect of debating your topic, and how did you address it?" These questions are designed to elicit thoughtful responses that demonstrate the students' understanding of the topic.

4. Unresolved Issues: The teacher then addresses any common misconceptions or unresolved questions that emerged during the group activities. They provide clarifications or guide the students to the correct understanding, ensuring that all students have a clear and accurate comprehension of the topic.

5. Individual Reflection: Finally, the teacher asks the students to take a moment to reflect on their learning journey. They are encouraged to think about the most important concept they learned, the questions that remain unanswered, and how the lesson has changed their perspective on Congress. The teacher reminds the students that learning is a continuous process, and it is okay to have unanswered questions. They are assured that these questions will be addressed in future lessons or through further research.

6. Feedback Collection: The teacher concludes the feedback session by asking the students to provide their feedback on the lesson. They are asked to share what they enjoyed, what they found challenging, and any suggestions they have for improving future lessons. The teacher emphasizes the importance of this feedback in enhancing the learning experience and encourages the students to be honest and constructive in their feedback.

By the end of the feedback session, the teacher should have a clear understanding of the students' learning outcomes and any areas that may need to be revisited in future lessons. The students should also feel that their voices have been heard and that their feedback is valued.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary and Recap: The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They remind the students that Congress is a bicameral legislative body consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The teacher also reiterates the powers of Congress, both enumerated and implied, and how these powers impact the daily lives of Americans. Lastly, they recap the various functions of Congress, including law-making, representation, oversight, and conflict resolution.

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications: The teacher then explains how the lesson linked theory, practice, and real-world applications. They highlight how the pre-class activities provided the theoretical understanding of Congress, while the in-class activities allowed the students to apply this knowledge in a practical setting. They also emphasize how the activities, such as the debate, helped students understand the real-world implications of Congress's powers and functions.

3. Suggested Additional Materials: The teacher suggests a few additional resources for the students to further their understanding of the topic. These could include documentaries about Congress, biographies of influential members of Congress, and articles about current legislative debates. The teacher encourages the students to explore these resources at their own pace and to share any interesting findings in the next class.

4. Relevance to Everyday Life: Finally, the teacher discusses the importance of understanding Congress in everyday life. They explain that Congress's decisions impact a wide range of issues, from the economy and national security to education and healthcare. They also emphasize that understanding Congress can help students make sense of current events and political debates. The teacher reinforces that the knowledge gained in this lesson is not just for academic purposes but is also essential for active and informed citizenship.

5. Topic's Importance in Other Disciplines: The teacher briefly touches upon the interdisciplinary nature of the topic. They explain that understanding Congress is not just crucial in the study of history and politics, but also in other disciplines such as law, economics, and sociology. For instance, the teacher suggests that understanding Congress's role in regulating commerce is vital in economics, while its function in making laws can be relevant in legal studies.

By the end of the conclusion, the students should have a clear understanding of the lesson's key points, feel motivated to explore the topic further, and understand the relevance of the topic in their everyday lives and other academic disciplines.