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Public Criticisms of Congress
General Overview
In this module students will learn about some common criticisms of Congress and decide whether they agree or disagree with these criticisms. View the "how to" document.
Lessons and Assessments
The lessons listed below are self-contained. You may complete them in any order you wish.
Is Government Necessary? (Grades 5 – 8)
In this lesson students discuss the purposes of the United States Government and investigate how the U.S. Congress affects their lives. Students explain what life would be like in the absence of government and Congress.
How Ordinary People Can Have an Impact (Grades 5 – 8)
Students will identify ways to follow the actions of political officials and learn what individuals can do to influence political leaders.
Ethics in Congress (Grades 9 – 12)
This lesson discusses the perceptions people have of Members of Congress. Students will learn about modern ethics rules.
Representing a Diverse Group of People (Grades 9 – 12)
This lesson describes how Members of Congress represent a diverse group of people and how they debate to make sure that every community is represented.
An In-Depth Look at the Legislative Branch (Grades 9 – 12)
Students will discuss Article I of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to the legislative branch of our government. Students will also analyze the actions of the legislative branch and evaluate the extent to which those actions reflect characteristics of American democracy and help to serve the public good.
The Roles of Individuals and Groups in National Politics (Grades 9 – 12)
In this lesson students will evaluate the contemporary roles of voters, political parties, and associations and groups in national politics.
Rubric: This section contains performance assessment rubrics for students who have completed all of the lessons in the Civic Participation Module. These rubrics may be saved and used "as-is," or you can modify the rubrics in any way that is appropriate for your students.
Other Resources
Glossary: The glossary provides the definition s for key terms students should know in order to complete this module.
Web sites: This section includes Web sites that will help to further develop students' understanding of the U.S. Constitutional Government.
Print Materials: This section lists resources for both teachers and students about the concepts of government as expressed in the U.S. Constitution.