Week Five: The Legislative Branch

The Essential Question for this week is:

How does Congress work?

The Georgia Performance Standards that you'll work with this week are:

SSCG9 The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.

SSCG10 The student will describe the legislative process including the roles played by committees and leadership.
a. Explain the steps in the legislative process.
b. Explain the function of various leadership positions within the legislature.

SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.
a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
b. Describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists.
c. Explain the function of special interest groups.


The assignments for this unit are listed below. Please be sure to follow all instructions for completing assignments and receiving the maximum points possible.


Week Five Assignment 1: NovNET Module E
SCCG 9, SSCG10, SSCG11
- Complete all lessons and mastery assessment (Module E (Branches of Government) Lessons A-D). It is required that you take notes as you work through each module. Half of your points will come from your notes, and the other half will come from your test scores. Be sure to include the following information in your NovaNet notes that are turned in for credit:

• Date
• Title of Module
• Title of Lesson
• Significant (important) information from lessons: definitions, notable people/places/things, historical information, explanation of concepts, charts, etc.
  

* 80 possible points.

Week Five Assignment 2: Comparing the House of Representatives and the Senate
SCCG 9, SSCG 10 b
- Using the Comparing the House of Representatives and the Senate Power point complete the Comparing the House of Representatives and the Senate Student Notes that compare the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, with emphasis on terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.

* Complete the notes and answer each question thoroughly. Place in teacher's drop box when notes are completed. *25 possible points.

Week Five Assignment 3: Legislation Today- Congressional Action Research Activity

SSCG10

In this activity, you will locate, analyze, and discuss an action that is currently being considered by the U.S. Congress.

* Follow all instructions in the document Legislation Today- Congressional Action Research Activity for completing this assignment. Place in teacher's drop box when completed. *20 possible points.

Week Five Assignment 4: How a Bill Becomes A Law

SSCG10

- Using the How a Bill Becomes a Law power point complete the How a Bill Becomes a Law Student Notes that describe the legislative process including the roles played by committees and leadership.

* Complete the notes thoroughly. Place in teacher's drop box when notes are completed. *20 possible points.

Week Five Assignment 5: Lobbyists and Special Interest Groups Background Information and Capital Crimes Case Study
SSCG11 a,b,c

In this assignment you will gain an understanding of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups and how they influence the legislative process. The case study, Capital Crimes, will reveal how one lobbyists efforts made national and international headlines.

*Please follow all instructions and expectations found in the Lobbyists and Special Interest Groups Background and Capital Crimes Case Study document. * Place your finished work in your teacher's drop box when completed. *20 possible points.

Week Five Assignment 6: Investigating Your Representatives

SSCG9, SSCG11

In this activity you will research and investigate one of your representatives in Congress. What legislation does he support? What interest groups supported his campaign? The goal of this activity is to see whether or not you think that your representative “represents” you – meaning, is he looking out for your interests?

*Please follow all instructions and expectations found in the Investigating Your Representatives document.

* Place your finished work in your teacher's drop box when completed. *20 possible points.

Week Five Assignment 7: Week Five Quiz
SCCG 9
SCCG10
SSCG11

After you have completed the first six assignments and turned them in to your teacher, take the Week Five quiz to check for understanding of standards you worked with in week five. You will need to get the quiz from your teacher.

* 20 possible points.