search
user.png
vertical menu

Congress Simulator for Middle and High School

Congress Simulator for Middle and High School preview
Congress Simulator for Middle and High School preview
Congress Simulator for Middle and High School preview 2
Congress Simulator for Middle and High School preview 3
Congress Simulator for Middle and High School preview 4
Congress Simulator for Middle and High School preview 5
Congress Simulator for Middle and High School preview 6

Look Inside · 10 pages

Engaging Congress Simulation! cover with the Capitol: simulation materials, tracking document, teacher directions, slides
Title slide to open the Senate role-play unit
Senate voting warm-up: partners brainstorm why a U.S. Senator might vote for something they don't believe in
Opening discussion before students take on senator roles
Simulation rules Part 1: each student acts as a state's senator, and the goal is to get re-elected with a positive score
Read aloud to set the goal of the game
Simulation rules Part 2: the 8 issues up for a vote, from green energy and minimum wage to offshore drilling
Preview the bills before state assignments
Scoring rules Part 3: points gained or lost on each bill, shown with the Alabama senator's point chart for all 8 votes
Model how to read a state's point values
Rules Part 4: Alabama example highlighting top priorities, passing offshore drilling (80) and blocking gun checks (-100)
Show students how to spot their key bills
Rules Part 5: students get assigned states, then negotiate, make vote deals and form coalitions to win a majority
Set expectations before the negotiation period
Time to Vote, Bill #1: added federal funding for solar, wind and hydroelectric power, with in-favor and opposed tallies
Display during the first floor vote
Time to Vote, Bill #2: raise the minimum wage to $12/hour for all workers regardless of age; record yes and no counts
Project while the class votes on wages
Time to Vote, Bill #3: ban the death penalty as punishment for any crime in all 50 states, with spots to tally votes
Record the class result on this bill live
Attributes
Add To Collection
Add to collection Add to collection

About This Product

The Engaging Congressional Simulation is an interactive activity that brings Congress to life in your classroom. Students take on the role of Senators, representing the voters of their state. They must pass or reject bills based on their voters' preferences, requiring thoughtful decision-making and political strategy. To get bills passed, students engage in lively deal-making and persuasion with their fellow Senators. This 16-page package includes everything needed to conduct the simulation: teacher directions, a guiding slideshow that explains key concepts, spreadsheets to track bill votes, and pointers for debriefing. The activity covers topics like bipartisanship, filibusters, party politics, and the legislative process. Students find it entertaining while gaining insight into how Congress really works. Use it to supplement instruction on government or hold an exciting Congressional simulation that your students will always remember.

0 Reviews

Explore related searches