Activity Overview
At the start of a unit in history, it's helpful for students to have a common vocabulary in order for them to better comprehend the lesson as well as facilitate better class discussions. In this activity, students will use a Frayer Model to define and illustrate the vocabulary and terminology related to the Legislative Branch. Students may select from the list below, or teachers may provide a list of terms they would like students to know.
Legislative Branch Vocabulary List (Suggested Terms)
- Committee
- Quorum
- Senate
- House of Representatives
- Impeach
- Appeal
- Veto
- Census
- Bill
- Law
- Legislator
- Legislation
- Bicameral
- Lobbyist
- Majority
- Minority
- Ratify
- District
- How representation is determined in the Senate
- How representation is determined in the House
- Pork Barrel Legislation
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 defining and illustrating key terminology for the Legislative Branch.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify different key terms.
- In the description box, write the definition and the relationship to the legislative branch.
- Create a representative illustration for each using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
At the start of a unit in history, it's helpful for students to have a common vocabulary in order for them to better comprehend the lesson as well as facilitate better class discussions. In this activity, students will use a Frayer Model to define and illustrate the vocabulary and terminology related to the Legislative Branch. Students may select from the list below, or teachers may provide a list of terms they would like students to know.
Legislative Branch Vocabulary List (Suggested Terms)
- Committee
- Quorum
- Senate
- House of Representatives
- Impeach
- Appeal
- Veto
- Census
- Bill
- Law
- Legislator
- Legislation
- Bicameral
- Lobbyist
- Majority
- Minority
- Ratify
- District
- How representation is determined in the Senate
- How representation is determined in the House
- Pork Barrel Legislation
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 defining and illustrating key terminology for the Legislative Branch.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify different key terms.
- In the description box, write the definition and the relationship to the legislative branch.
- Create a representative illustration for each using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How Tos about Legislative Branch Important Vocabulary
Organize a collaborative vocabulary review game
Boost student engagement by turning vocabulary review into a fun, team-based activity. Games help reinforce key terms and encourage peer learning, making class discussions lively and memorable.
Divide students into small teams
Create groups of 3–5 students so everyone can participate. Smaller teams ensure each student has a chance to contribute and learn from their peers.
Prepare vocabulary cards with terms and definitions
Write each Legislative Branch term on one side of an index card and its definition on the other. This makes it easy for students to quiz each other and check their answers quickly.
Set clear game rules and scoring
Explain how to earn points: teams score by correctly defining terms, using them in a sentence, or drawing an illustration. Clear rules keep the game fair and ensure everyone stays on task.
Rotate roles and reflect on learning
Have students switch roles between rounds (e.g., reader, answerer, scorer) to keep everyone involved. End with a quick class discussion so students can share which terms were tricky and how they’ll remember them.
Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Branch Important Vocabulary
What are the most important vocabulary terms for understanding the Legislative Branch?
Key vocabulary terms for the Legislative Branch include Committee, Quorum, Senate, House of Representatives, Impeach, Appeal, Veto, Census, Bill, Law, Legislator, Legislation, Bicameral, Lobbyist, Majority, Minority, Ratify, District, Representation, and Pork Barrel Legislation. Knowing these helps students better comprehend how Congress works.
How can I teach Legislative Branch vocabulary in a fun and engaging way?
Using a Frayer Model or visual vocabulary boards encourages students to define, illustrate, and explain terms through drawings and real-life examples, making learning interactive and memorable.
What is a Frayer Model and how do I use it for social studies vocabulary?
A Frayer Model is a graphic organizer divided into four sections: definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples. Students fill these out for each vocabulary word, deepening their understanding and retention.
Why is understanding Legislative Branch vocabulary important for students?
Understanding key terms allows students to follow lessons, participate confidently in discussions, and analyze how laws are made and government functions.
What is the difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives?
The Senate has two members from each state, ensuring equal representation, while the House of Representatives is based on state population, giving larger states more representatives.
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- Veto - Illustration • DonkeyHotey • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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