This unit plan is designed for a 12th grade civics class to help students understand how a bill becomes law. Students will be split into groups to draft and present their own bills. They will need to outline the steps taken to develop the bill, including drafting a first version and any amendments. Each group will present their bill and supporting video to the class in a 10 minute presentation. After all groups have presented, the class will vote to pass two of the proposed bills. Students will utilize textbooks, computers, videos and websites to research the three branches of government and federal lawmaking process.

1. By Alexandria McCloud How A Bill Becomes Law Unit Plan

2. Analyze Learners - This unit plan is for high school students in the 12th Grade Civics class. This class is to help develop the understanding of local, state, and federal government and help obtain civic-mindedness. Students will obtain several learning methods. Students will have to think inside and outside the box, while using the methods of technology and more of the old dated usage of books and such.

3. State CSO’s SS.S.12.02- Students will: examine and analyze the basic principles and purposes of the United States government; propose and evaluate alternatives (Purposes of Government). research the historical origins analyze the meanings, and evaluate the necessity of the principles, ideals and core democratic values expressed in the foundational documents of the United States (Ideals of United States Democracy). compare and contrast the structure, function and responsibilities of governments and the allocation of power at the local, state and national levels (United States Government and Politics). research and diagram world political organizations; debate the role and relationship of the United States to other nations and to world affairs (United States Government and World Affairs

4. State CSO’s Continued SS.C.O.12.02.01-Examine and analyze the contributing factors of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution: Leaders and Philosophers (e.g., John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson Events (e.g., Glorious Revolution, Reformation, Enlightenment) Documents (e.g., English Bill of Rights, Act of Succession, Magna Carta) Classical periods (e.g., eras of Greece and Rome SS.C.O.12.02.07- differentiate between the rights, privileges, responsibilities, and duties granted U.S. citizens under the Constitution of the United States and describe the role of citizens in a constitutional democracy. SS.C.O.12.02.08- demonstrate an understanding of the purposes that constitutions serve, and the conditions that contribute to the establishment of the rule of law, and evaluate how limited government and rule of law protect individual rights under the Constitution.

5. SS.C.O.12.02.11- compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of the local, state and national judicial systems SS.C.O.12.02.28- examine, debate and use intellectual and participatory skills essential for informed, effective, and responsible citizenship that enable individuals to learn and apply civic knowledge to work with others and clearly articulate ideas and interests to monitor and influence public policy, build coalitions, seek consensus, negotiate compromise, and manage conflict. SS.C.O.12.02.19- assess the influence of the media on public opinion and on the decisions of government officials. SS.C.O.12.02.29- develop and explain civic dispositions (habits of the heart) that pervade all aspects of citizenship and personal traits of private and public character essential to the preservation and improvement of American constitutional democracy, relate how American constitutional democracy cannot accomplish its purposes unless its citizens actively participate in public policy and civic life

6. Materials for Unit Plan Handouts Textbooks/Hard back book sources Computers Smart board Document Camera Video PowerPoint

8. What Students will Learn Three branches of government How the branches function and what they do Discuss some of the bills that have been made like the Bill of Rights and Constitution What the other federal courts are and what they do How it affects the United States

9. Student Assignment Students will be put into groups and make a bill for whatever they choose Students will have to make a first draft and final and amendments if need to change Make a video about how the people feel about this bill and what they would like to see

10. Student Assignment Continued Students will prepare a powerpoint with video included to show the steps they took to come up with bill Students will present this in front of the class 10 minute presentation with video included After all have been heard vote to which two would be passed

11. Websites to use Students will use websites and hard back resources. Health Reform in West Virginia http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/statehealthreform/westvirginia.html- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Issues http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Documents.Reports – United States House of Representatives http://www.house.gov/-