TEACHER: Terese Flores

Subject: US Government
Grade Level: 12
Lesson Plan Title: Article I
Unit: The Constitution
Aim: What are the two houses of Congress and how are they different?

Virginia SOLs: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution of the
United States by
d. illustrating the structure of the national government outlined in Article I, Article II, and
Article III;
Technology Standards:
Technology Communication Tools
C/T 9-12.9 The student will use a variety of media and formats to communicate
information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
-Determine the most effective tool, format, and style to communicate to specific
audiences.
-Use technology-based options, including distance and distributed education, to
collaborate, research, publish, and communicate.
-Practice self-directed use of advanced technology tools for communicating with
specific audiences.
NETS:
Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative
products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities.
Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively,
including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of
others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a
variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a
variety of media and formats.
c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with
learners of other cultures.
d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.

Objectives
1. Identify what branch is represented in Article I of the Constitution.
2. Identify the two houses of congress and the qualifications required for each.
3. Create a chart that compares and contrast the two houses of governments.

Procedures:
Opening/Motivator
Watch “I’m Just a Bill” from School House Rock
Ask the following questions:
-What is a bill?
-What branch of government is in charge of making bills?
-How long do you think it takes to make a bill?
Allow for other questions about the video clip.

Focus:
Today we will be focusing on what makes up the legislative branch. What are the
qualifications to serve in congress? What are the differences between the two houses?

Content - Important Information

House of Representatives
-2 year term
-# based on population
-no limit on amount of terms
-must be at least 25 years old
-must be a citizen for at least 7 years
-must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is chosen.
Senate
-6 year term with continuous body
-2 for each State
-no limit on amount of terms
-must be at least 30 years old
-must be a citizen for at least 9 years
-must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is chosen.

Practice Activity
1.Students will read to themselves the handout of Article I. As a class we will discuss
what is the legislative branch? What to bodies make up the legislative branch? Why
are there to two branches?----we will refer back to lesson one where we learned about
the compromises that wanted equal representation and population based
representation.
2. Each student will receive a blank copy of the comparison chart. They will be able to
work in pairs to complete the chart. In creating their Senate and House comparison
chart they must include the following:
a. Qualifications
b. Term
c. How many in each house
d. Anything extra they know or learned from the reading

Evaluation:
Students will write a paragraph stating which house of the legislature they would like to
be a part of and why. They must support their choice with examples we learned in
class. Afterwards the teacher will can for volunteers to share what they wrote.
Resources:
Constitution
YouTube
Microsoft Word 07

Websites:
YouTube: “I’m Just a Bill” from School House Rock

Materials:
Handout: Article I
Handout: Comparison Chart
Computer with internet connection
Projector