You Can Make the World a Better Place: Let’s Pass a Bill

You Can Make the World a Better Place: Let’s Pass a Bill!

A WebQuest for 5th Grade History and Social Science

Introduction

You can make the world a better place! As citizens of the United States you we have certain responsibilities and rights listed in our Constitution. Our rights and responsibilities include voting in elections, serving on juries, obeying laws, respecting the rights of others, paying taxes, and men can be asked to serve in the armed forces. As a citizen if you feel that there needs to be a law passed to make the world a better place, you can bring your idea to a member of Congress. But if you are going to be able to do this, you better understand how the U.S. Government works, and how laws are made. Successfully complete this WebQuest and you will a member of Congress to sponsor your bill, your idea for a law.

The Task

You and your team will need to successfully complete the U.S. Government Fact Sheet to impress a member of Congress. If the Government Fact Sheet is satisfactory to the Congressperson, he/she will agree to sponsor your bill.

The Process

To successfully complete the Government Fact Sheet, follow the steps below.

You will be assigned a partner or a team.
Print out the Government Fact Sheet, one for each member of the group.
Use the internet or classroom resources to complete the Government Fact Sheet. You may do your own internet search or you can use these links below.

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/index.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/

http://clerkkids.house.gov/

http://ogc.navy.mil/ogcwww/law-4-kids2.asp

http://www.kids.gov/k_gov.htm

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/government.htm

http://www.factmonster.com/

Each student must turn in a Government Fact Sheet to the Congress person (your teacher) for evaluation.
Begin to start thinking of a law that would make the world a better place, your idea maybe used in our culminating activity.

Evaluation

Each student’s Government Fact Sheet will be evaluated. Look to the scoring guide below to see the specifics that will

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Rights and Responsibilities of citizens listed and described	Two or less of the rights and responsibilities of a citizen listed with very limited descriptions reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Two or less of the rights and responsibilities of a citizen listed with limited descriptions reflecting a movement toward mastery of performance.	Three of the rights and responsibilities of a citizen listed with clear descriptions reflecting mastery of performance.	Three or more of the rights and responsibilities of a citizen listed with very clear and detailed descriptions reflecting the highest level of performance.
Three Branches of Government listed and described	One Branch of Government listed with limited description reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Two Branches of Government listed with limited descriptions reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Three Branches of Government listed with clear descriptions reflecting mastery of performance.	Three Branches of Government listed with very clear and detailed descriptions reflecting the highest level of performance.
Checks and Balances Defined	Checks and balances definition very limited reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Checks and balances definition limited reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Checks and balances definition clear an example is attempted reflecting mastery of performance.	Checks and balances definition very clear and detailed and an example is given reflecting the highest level of performance.
Steps of How a Bill Becomes a Law are listed	Steps of How a Bill Becomes a Law are listed with many errors reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Steps of How a Bill Becomes a Law are listed with some errors reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Steps of How a Bill Becomes a Law are listed with few errors reflecting mastery of performance.	Steps of How a Bill Becomes a Law are listed with accuracy and detail reflecting the highest level of performance.
Bonus Page!	Information listed with many errors reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Information listed with some errors reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Information listed with few errors reflecting mastery of performance.	Information listed with accuracy and detail reflecting the highest level of performance.

Conclusion

You can now make the world a better place! With a successful completion of the Government Fact Sheet, you have demonstrated your knowledge of the U.S. government. You have also impressed your Congressperson, who will now take you seriously and sponsor your bill. Your ides for a bill may be chosen for our class simulation and with any luck your bill might even pass!

Credits & References

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

Edited by P. Link, Morris County ETTC