Representation in Congress

Civics The Federal Government Representation in Congress
Students learn why Congress is composed of a House of Representatives and Senate and how each house is structured. Then they learn how congressional districts are created and what gerrymandering is. Finally they examine the role of compromise in politics.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Here are the teacher pack items for Representation in Congress:

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Overview

In this experience, students learn why Congress is composed of a House of Representatives and Senate and how each house is structured. Then they learn how congressional districts are created and what gerrymandering is. Finally they examine the role of compromise in politics.

Objectives

  • Explain the bi-cameral structure Congress.
  • Analyze the political concepts of gerrymandering and compromise.


full chamber

A joint session of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives


The legislative branch of the U.S. government—Congress—contains two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate. In this lesson you will learn why Congress is divided into two houses. You will also explore how members of Congress are distributed among the states and how congressional districts boundaries are drawn.

Objectives

  • Explain the bi-cameral structure Congress.
  • Analyze the political concepts of gerrymandering and compromise.

How much do you know about your state’s representation in Congress?


How many representatives does your state have in Congress?

A) 1
B) 2
C) between 10 and 20
D) more than 20
E) I don't know.

List the names of a senator or representative from your state. To list more than one, separate each one with a comma like this: John Smith, Mary Jones. If you aren’t sure, write Don’t know.

Post your answer

To find the name of your area’s representative in Congress, students can use the link in the Student Pack: Find Your Representative.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in The Federal Government Unit.
Civics The Federal Government The Three Branches of Government
The Three Branches of Government
Civics The Federal Government How a Bill Becomes a Law
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Civics The Federal Government How the Executive Branch Works
How the Executive Branch Works
Civics The Federal Government The Presidency: Election, Power, and Role
The Presidency: Election, Power, and Role
Civics The Federal Government The Federal System
The Federal System
Civics The Federal Government The Federal Government: Unit Review
The Federal Government: Unit Review
Civics The Federal Government Representation in Congress
Representation in Congress
Civics The Federal Government Roles and Committees in Congress
Roles and Committees in Congress
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