Our Federal System of Government
Session 8: Legislative Branch Overview

Materials

• Textbook
• Transparency: “The Legislative Branch” (Attachment F)

Instructional Activities

1. Return yesterday’s quiz to students and discuss correct answers.
   
   
2. Use the transparency titled “The Legislative Branch” (Attachment F) to explain that the United States Congress is a bicameral legislature. Bicameral means having two houses (e.g., the Senate and the House of Representatives).
   •    Officials are elected to serve in Congress. Each state has an equal number of Senators (2). The number of Representatives is based on population (Virginia has 11).
   •    Members of Congress:
   a. make laws for the nation
   b. approve the annual federal budget
   c. approve presidential appointments.
   
   
3. Ask students to read the section in their textbook on the powers of Congress for homework.