Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. To understand the concept of Congress as the legislative branch of the United States government. Students will learn about the structure, powers, and functions of Congress, particularly in the context of the separation of powers.
2. To identify the two houses of Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, highlighting their roles and responsibilities within the legislative process.
3. To examine the role of Congress in lawmaking, including the process of how a bill becomes a law, and the different types of legislation that Congress can pass.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To develop critical thinking skills by analyzing the implications and impact of Congress's actions on the American society and political system.
2. To enhance collaborative learning through group discussions and activities that promote interaction and sharing of ideas among students.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the lesson by reminding students of the basic structure of the United States government, particularly the concept of separation of powers. The teacher can use a simple diagram or a visual aid to depict the three branches of government - the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

2. The teacher then presents two problem situations to the students that serve as starters for the development of the lesson:

   • The teacher asks, "Imagine you are a lawmaker and you want to introduce a new law to address a problem in our society. How would you go about it? Who would you work with? Who would have to approve your law?"
   • The teacher then asks, "Now, let's say you are the President of the United States and you have a new policy you want to implement. Can you do it alone or do you need the approval of someone else? If so, who?"

3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of the topic by explaining how the laws passed by Congress affect our daily lives. For instance, the teacher can mention how Congress legislates on issues such as education, healthcare, and taxation, which directly impact students and their families.

4. To grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two interesting facts related to the topic:

   • "Did you know that the U.S. Congress is one of the oldest legislatures in the world, established in 1789?"
   • "Here's something curious: The U.S. Congress has 535 members, but do you know how many laws it passes each year on average? Only about 200! That's less than 1% of all proposed laws."

5. The teacher then introduces the main topic of the lesson: "Today, we are going to learn about the structure, powers, and functions of the U.S. Congress. We will discover how this legislative body works, how it makes decisions, and how its actions impact our lives."

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Structure of Congress (4 - 5 minutes)

   • The teacher introduces the two houses of Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, highlighting their roles and how they are elected or appointed.
   • The teacher uses a visual aid, such as a diagram, to illustrate the structure of Congress, with the President of the Senate (the Vice President of the United States) presiding over the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives presiding over the House.
   • The teacher explains that the two houses have distinct powers, but they must work together to pass legislation.

2. Powers of Congress (8 - 10 minutes)

   • The teacher explains the enumerated powers of Congress as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. These powers include the authority to levy taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, declare war, and maintain an army and navy, among others.
   • The teacher also discusses the implied powers of Congress, which are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are assumed to exist because they are necessary to implement the enumerated powers. These can include powers such as creating a national bank or regulating the internet.
   • The teacher highlights the power of the purse, the ability of Congress to control government spending, and how this power can be used to influence policy.

3. Functions of Congress (6 - 8 minutes)

   • The teacher delves into the core functions of Congress, which are lawmaking, representation, oversight, and public education.
   • The teacher explains the process of how a bill becomes a law, from its inception and introduction in one of the houses, its committee consideration, debate and amendment, to its passage in both houses and signing by the President or overriding a presidential veto.
   • The teacher emphasizes the role of Congressional committees in the legislative process, as these are the bodies where most of the work on bills is done.
   • The teacher also discusses the role of Congress in representing the interests of the American people, overseeing the executive branch, and educating the public on important issues.

4. Interactive Activity: Understanding the Legislative Process (2 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher divides the class into small groups. Each group is given a simplified flowchart illustrating the legislative process.
   • The teacher explains that the groups' task is to follow the flowchart and discuss the steps involved in how a bill becomes a law.
   • After the activity, each group shares their understanding of the legislative process, promoting peer learning and discussion.

The teacher concludes the development stage by summarizing the key points discussed, reinforcing the students' understanding of the structure, powers, and functions of Congress. The teacher then proceeds to the application stage of the lesson.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Revisiting the Objectives (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher reviews the objectives of the lesson and asks the students to reflect on what they have learned. The teacher can ask questions like, "Can you now explain the structure of the U.S. Congress?" or "What are the core functions of Congress?" to gauge the students' understanding.
   • The teacher also asks the students to reflect on the process of how a bill becomes a law, asking questions like, "What are the key steps in the legislative process?" or "What role do Congressional committees play in the legislative process?"

2. Connecting Theory with Practice (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher facilitates a discussion on how the concepts learned in the lesson apply to real-world situations. The teacher can ask questions like, "Can you think of a recent law or policy that Congress has passed and how it has affected our society?" or "How does the power of the purse influence government spending and policy decisions?"
   • The teacher can also ask the students to consider the role of Congress in the current political landscape, such as its oversight of the executive branch or its role in addressing societal issues through legislation.

3. Reflecting on Learning (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher encourages the students to reflect on their learning experience. The teacher can ask questions like, "What was the most important concept you learned today?" or "Which questions do you still have about the U.S. Congress?"
   • The teacher emphasizes that it is okay to have unanswered questions and that learning is a continuous process. The teacher can encourage the students to seek answers to their questions through further research or to bring their questions to the next class for further discussion.

4. Assessing Understanding (1 minute)

   • The teacher can use this time to quickly assess the students' understanding of the lesson. The teacher can ask a few students to share their answers to the reflection questions or to explain a concept from the lesson in their own words. This will provide the teacher with immediate feedback on the students' comprehension of the lesson and help to identify any areas that may need further clarification in future lessons.

The teacher concludes the feedback stage by commending the students on their active participation in the lesson and their thoughtful reflections. The teacher encourages the students to continue learning about the U.S. Congress and its role in the American government and society.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Recap of the Lesson (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher begins by summarizing the main points of the lesson. This includes a brief review of the structure of Congress, the separation of powers, and the roles of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
   • The teacher then revisits the powers of Congress, both enumerated and implied, and their significance in shaping policy and legislation.
   • The teacher also recaps the core functions of Congress, particularly the lawmaking process and the role of Congressional committees.

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher explains how the lesson connected theory with practice and applications. This includes the interactive activity on the legislative process, which allowed students to apply their knowledge in a practical context.
   • The teacher also discusses the real-world applications of the concepts learned, such as understanding how laws are made and how Congress's actions impact society and the economy.
   • The teacher emphasizes that understanding the structure, powers, and functions of Congress is not just about memorizing facts, but about appreciating the complex role of this institution in American democracy.

3. Suggested Additional Materials (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher suggests additional resources for students to further their understanding of the topic. This can include documentaries, books, and articles on the U.S. Congress, as well as online resources such as the official website of the U.S. Congress and educational websites that provide interactive materials on the legislative process.
   • The teacher also encourages students to follow current news and debates about Congress to see how the concepts learned in the lesson are applied in real-time.

4. Relevance of the Topic (1 minute)

   • The teacher concludes the lesson by explaining the relevance of the topic to everyday life. The teacher can discuss how the laws passed by Congress affect various aspects of our lives, such as education, healthcare, transportation, and taxation.
   • The teacher also emphasizes that understanding Congress's role in the U.S. government can help students become more informed citizens and active participants in our democracy.

The teacher ends the lesson by thanking the students for their active participation and encouraging them to continue exploring and learning about the U.S. Congress and its role in American democracy.