Congress, the House and the Senate

Have students read the bill's journey and underline each step before placing the cards. For the chart, ask them to find each fact in the text and then show their work on the problems.

Fill in a chart comparing the House and Senate, then solve problems on seats and terms. The directions on the page read: Read the text. Fill in every empty box of the chart with a fact from the text. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 6th Grade Three Branches and Checks, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with how laws are made. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.

The flowchart has eight steps. The bill is introduced, a committee studies it, the House votes and the Senate votes. A conference committee writes one version if needed, the bill goes to the president, the president signs or vetoes it, and Congress can override a veto.

Representatives serve two-year terms and senators serve six-year terms. About one third of Senate seats are up for election every two years.

A representative must be at least 25 years old and a citizen for at least 7 years. A senator must be at least 30 years old and a citizen for at least 9 years. Both must live in the state they represent.