Activity Overview
There are multiple steps in the process of how a bill becomes a law, and students should be able to understand this process as they study the Legislative Branch. This allows them to have a better idea of how different ideas are introduced and how laws are chosen (and why it's important to ensure your voice is heard!).
In this activity, students will create a traditional storyboard that represents the process of how a bill becomes a law. They will be able to take the complex legislative process and make it much easier to understand with a visualization on their storyboards.
Students may also choose to use the timeline layout or create a timeline poster instead of a traditional storyboard. Teachers can add multiple templates to the activity to provide students with different options, both scaffolded or not, and update the activity instructions accordingly.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Idea For Law Is Created
- Bill is Introduced to Committee
- Bill is Voted Upon in House of Origin
- Bill is sent to other House
- Bill is Voted Upon in the Other House
- Bill is Sent to the President
- President Contemplates Options
- President Agrees With Bill
- President Uses the Pocket Veto
- President Doesn't Sign While Congress is in Session, or He Vetoes
- Congressional Override of Veto
Extended Activity
After students have displayed their understanding of the legislative process, their extended activity will be to create a timeline that represents the story of a law that was passed in Congress at some point in American history. Students will be able to define where the initial idea for the law came from and represent how each step occurred on the bill’s way to becoming a law.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that illustrates how a bill becomes a law.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify each step in the process of creating a law.
- Write a summary of each step in the description boxes.
- Create an illustration for each step using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
There are multiple steps in the process of how a bill becomes a law, and students should be able to understand this process as they study the Legislative Branch. This allows them to have a better idea of how different ideas are introduced and how laws are chosen (and why it's important to ensure your voice is heard!).
In this activity, students will create a traditional storyboard that represents the process of how a bill becomes a law. They will be able to take the complex legislative process and make it much easier to understand with a visualization on their storyboards.
Students may also choose to use the timeline layout or create a timeline poster instead of a traditional storyboard. Teachers can add multiple templates to the activity to provide students with different options, both scaffolded or not, and update the activity instructions accordingly.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Idea For Law Is Created
- Bill is Introduced to Committee
- Bill is Voted Upon in House of Origin
- Bill is sent to other House
- Bill is Voted Upon in the Other House
- Bill is Sent to the President
- President Contemplates Options
- President Agrees With Bill
- President Uses the Pocket Veto
- President Doesn't Sign While Congress is in Session, or He Vetoes
- Congressional Override of Veto
Extended Activity
After students have displayed their understanding of the legislative process, their extended activity will be to create a timeline that represents the story of a law that was passed in Congress at some point in American history. Students will be able to define where the initial idea for the law came from and represent how each step occurred on the bill’s way to becoming a law.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that illustrates how a bill becomes a law.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify each step in the process of creating a law.
- Write a summary of each step in the description boxes.
- Create an illustration for each step using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about How a Bill Becomes a Law in the Legislative Branch
How to Run a Mock Legislative Session in Your Classroom
Engage students in an interactive simulation by turning your classroom into a mock Congress. This hands-on approach helps students actively experience how a bill becomes a law, deepening their understanding through role-play and debate.
Assign students roles as lawmakers, committee members, and the president.
Distribute roles so each student participates as a representative, senator, committee chair, or president. Assigning roles builds ownership and encourages participation in the legislative process.
Have students propose and draft their own 'bills' on classroom-relevant topics.
Guide students to brainstorm issues that matter to them (like homework policies or snack rules) and write simple bills. This makes the process relatable and shows how ideas can become laws.
Organize committees to review and discuss the proposed bills.
Divide the class into small committees to evaluate, debate, and suggest changes to each bill. Committee work fosters critical thinking and helps students see how collaboration shapes legislation.
Hold full-class debates and votes on each bill.
Bring everyone together to debate, amend, and vote just like in Congress. Public debate builds confidence and demonstrates the importance of civic dialogue.
Let the 'president' approve or veto the bills, then discuss the outcomes.
Have your student president make the final decisions. Afterwards, reflect as a class on what influenced the outcomes and what might happen next—connecting every step to the real legislative process.
Frequently Asked Questions about How a Bill Becomes a Law in the Legislative Branch
What are the main steps for how a bill becomes a law?
A bill becomes a law through several key steps: an idea is created, the bill is introduced to a committee, voted on in the House of origin, sent to the other House for a vote, then to the President for approval, veto, or no action. If vetoed, Congress may override the veto.
How can I teach students the process of a bill becoming a law in a simple way?
Use storyboards or timelines to help students visualize each step of the legislative process. Breaking down the process into scenes or events makes it easier for students to understand and remember how a bill becomes a law.
What is a storyboard activity for explaining how a bill becomes a law?
A storyboard activity lets students represent each step of the legislative process visually. Students create scenes for each phase—idea, committee, votes, President's decision—using drawings and brief descriptions, making the process engaging and accessible.
Why is it important for students to learn how laws are made?
Understanding how laws are made helps students appreciate the role of government and their own voice in a democracy. It empowers them to participate actively in civic life and encourages critical thinking about rules and decision-making.
What are some creative ways to help students remember the legislative process?
Try using timeline posters, role-playing activities, or interactive digital tools. These methods encourage hands-on learning and make the steps for how a bill becomes a law more memorable and fun for students.
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