Mock Congress: Day 1 - Writing Bills

Chapter 15 - Government for and by the People

Bell ActivityTurn in your orange organizers.Your word is “bill” (hint: NOT something

your parents pay OR part of a duck!)Find the word on your blue study guide and

complete the following information for the word.Find the definition using a glossary.Use your own knowledge and experience to

complete the rest of the definition.Where should your backpack be?

No gum in class. Throw it in the garbage before class begins!

Word: bill My Understanding: 4 3 2 1

Definition: Draw a picture of it:

Sentence:

Synonym/Example:

Antonym/Non-Example:

Does your work looksomething like this?

Word: bill My Understanding: 4 3 2 1

Definition: a written proposal for a law

Draw a picture of it:

Sentence: The senator proposed a bill

would make it illegal to text while

driving.

Synonym/Example: proposed law

Antonym/Non-Example: law

Does your work looksomething like this?

Today we will learn…• History Objective –

We will be able to describe how a bill becomes a law, and we will learn how to write a bill.

• Behavior Objective – Work Ethic: We will listen to how to write a bill then write our own bills.

• Language Objective – We will write our own bill for the Mock Congress.

Welcome to Congress• Over the rest of the

week the MLMS Mock Congress will be in session.

• Our first job is to understand how to create new legislation or laws that will benefit the class.

What a bill does…• Your bill should do

something to benefit the class or make a positive change.

• You cannot, however, violate any school rules (such as no cell phones, hats, etc.). Bills that violate school rules will either be discarded during the Mock Congress or they will be subject to Judicial Review.

A Good Bill…• A good bill is well

thought out, carefully considers all of the possible consequences of the law, and will take steps to make sure the class suffers no negative side effects.

• You also have to consider who will see that the law is carried out (it cannot be Ms. Thatcher!), will it cost anything (you have to figure out where the money is coming from), and how much time it will take, etc.

Let’s look at a good bill…• The Mount Logan Middle School 2014

Blank Bill

Super Activity

Political Parties• For most of us, when we think of political parties

we picture the Democrats and Republicans.

• What comes to mind when you hear these names?

• Political Parties were created as a way for people with similar opinions about how government should work to get together and get candidates elected to office who will represent their beliefs in the government.

Political Parties• Political Parties start with people who want to

make their lives better through the political process.

• What are some things that you would like to change if you could at MLMS?

Issues• Come up with a list of 5-10 things your party

would like to do to improve our class.

Sample Issues• Bell Activity w/partners• Free time• Bathroom passes• Allow treats in class• Listen to music• More Partner/Group work • Review day- More time for

teacher to answer questions

• Fun Day• Work Day - No

Homework• Get out of class early• Study Guides on tests• Free Answer on test• Play w/Smart Board• Drinks in class• Gum ok in class

Polling the Parties (4 min.)• The class will have different

political parties, each with a different platform.

• Each party will be trying to get their candidate elected to the class government.

• Choose three or four of the issues your group came up with to be part of your campaign.

The Caucus (3 min.)• Choose the person in your party that you think has

the best chance of being elected governor.• Then choose the person who know the rules of the

school the best to be your candidate for attorney general.

• Then list 4 people who want to be Senators and 8 who want to be members of the House of Representatives. There can only be 1 senator for every 2 representatives.

• Fill out a ballot and send someone to report who these people are to Ms. Thatcher.

Campaign Poster (10 min.)• Create a name for your party

(one word, simple, easy to say and remember).

• Choose a mascot (animal symbol) that represents your strengths.

• Make a poster explaining why others should vote for your candidate.– Candidates for governor should use

this time to write a short speech explaining why their party should be elected to office.

Speeches (3-5 min.)• Each candidate for governor

will give a one minute speech to convince the rest of the students to vote for them and their political party.

• Then the class will vote for officers.

• The winners will be announced tomorrow.– Note: All students will have a job to do in the Mock

Congress whether they are elected or not.

Elections• For a large part of the rest of this unit, we will be

holding a Mock Congress in which you all will be able to propose laws to make our class better.

• To help get your laws passed, you will need to form political parties to help pass laws in the Congress.

• Get together with some friends and other students who all have similar ideas to create a political party.

Ballot – 1st HourParty

Governor

Att. General

Senators

House of Reps.

Voting:1 governor 6 for the Senate1 attorney general 12 for the House