It is time to write a legislative bill!  Who knows, maybe your mock Congress will turn your bill into a law!

 

Why not start with the classic School House Rocks - "I'm Just a Bill"  Feel free to sing along!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your assignment is to write a bill for the mock Congress.  Each bill must be creative and original.  It is encouraged to look at “real” bills but your bills should be your own.   Either choose from the following topics or create one on your own.  Choose something that interests you and you are passionate about.  Remember, that a bill should be universal and somehow have an impact on the country as a whole, not just you or something a state should deal with.

 

Possible Topics:

abortion, animal rights, bullying, climate change, death penalty, economy, education, gay rights, gun control, health care

immigration, international affairs, internet and social media , legalizing marijuana, obesity/diet, drinking age, science and technology, energy, taxes, voting

 

Once you choose a topic, you will need to research it in order to provide information/statistics that supports your bill.  Simply use the following sources to help get your information.

 

Tips to get started for each of these:

• Make sure you use advanced search as much as possible.

• Cite information as you go.

 

 

Library Catalog

 

The school’s library catalog helps to locate information and resources available.

 

The AHS library catalog can be found on the library webpage:   http://letsgostatepsu.wix.com/ahs-library – resources – AHS Online Catalog and Other Libraries.

 

If at school, you can simply click here to get to the catalog:

 

 

 

 

Once in the catalog, simply type in the topic and see what books about your topic are available at the AHS library.  Be sure to check to see if the book is relevant to your research and is not outdated.

 

 

Online Databases

Online databases provide access to resources across a wide spectrum of topic and subject areas.  Databases provide access to published information sources such as magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, journals and other resources.

 

The following are good online databases:

 

• Gale Cengage Learning

This is located in the online database located on the library homepage. It can be found on the library webpage:   http://letsgostatepsu.wix.com/ahs-library – resources – online databases (username and password provided on website.)

 

If at school, you can simply click here to get to this database:

 

 

 

 

 

This video will help you to use the AHS library Gale databases:

http://www.screencast.com/t/a8lHVQXKFQ3a

 

• Britannica

This is located in the online database located on the library homepage. It can be found on the library webpage:  http://letsgostatepsu.wix.com/ahs-library – resources – online databases (username and password provided on website.)

 

        If at school, you can simply click here to get to this database:

 

 

 

 

 

Websites

These are only a few of the many websites available about the bill process.

 

House of Representatives - Official site of the House of Representatives.  See examples of current bills, track legislation, etc.  How a Bill Becomes Law - A full description of the law making process.

 

U.S. Senate - Official website of the Senate.  See examples of current bills, track legislation, etc.

 

Thomas: Congress’s Gateway/Bills and Resolutions - Created to be the central source of information about Congress.  This site contains the Congressional Record, and all bills introduced in Congress.  Also available is the voting record of each member of Congress, and other information.  All databases are searchable using key words or bill numbers.

 

Anneberg Classroom:  This video explains the complex process of turning a bill into federal law in discussions with high school students.