Slow-moving Process

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Overview

In this lesson students will discuss why the Framers wanted the legislative process to be slow and deliberative. Students will also evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.

 

Grade Levels

5–8

 

Objectives

Students will:

• explain why the Framers designed a long and complicated legislative process; and
• evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.

Estimated Time

1 day

 

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Understanding Representative Democracy
• Projection device
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH® enabled
• Pencil and paper

Procedure

1. Briefly review the legislative process with students and discuss why the Framers designed such a long and complicated process. Make sure students understand that the legislative process was designed to be slow and deliberative because the Framers distrusted laws imposed by a far-away government. They also wanted to make sure that legislators would think about the true interest of the country rather than giving in to public whims.
2. Explain to students that some people criticize Congress for always bickering and taking too long to pass legislation. Some people criticize legislators for compromising too much. Ask students if they agree or disagree with these statements.
3. Divide the class into three groups. Assign each group one of the following video clips from the Understanding Representative Democracy E-Learning Module: “Slow Moving Process,” “Bickering,” and “The Role of Compromise.”
4. Have each group summarize the video clips. Then ask students if they still agree or disagree with the criticism.
5. Ask students to imagine that James Madison has ventured through time to see how the legislative branch works today. Have each student write an opinion paper from Madison’s viewpoint. This paper should briefly explain why the Framers designed Congress to act with deliberation rather than quickly. They should then evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.

Extension Activity

Invite a U.S. Representative to visit the class and talk about what he or she considers when it is time to vote for legislation. Ask the representative to discuss why he or she thinks it takes so long to get a bill through and if that is good or bad.

 

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

Ask your students the following questions and assess their knowledge of key concepts taught in this lesson.

1. Why did the Framers design a slow and deliberative legislative process?
2. How effective is the legislative branch of the government in serving the purposes for which it was created?

Scoring Guide for Slow-moving Process

Elements	Possible Score	Assigned Score	Notes
Correct spelling and grammar	10
Good beginning, middle, and end	10
Writes the paper from James Madison ’s perspective	10
Briefly explains why the Framers designed Congress in the manner they did	30
Evaluates how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created	40

Lesson Plan Feedback

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