All posts in Fall 2021

Congress has two parts: the House and the Senate. The Senate is smaller, but has more power and respect.

For example, the Senate has the power to approve or deny the president’s choices for the cabinet and the courts. The Senate decides to impeach presidents or other federal positions, too.

Each state has only two senators. Each senator works for all the people in the state.

In Oregon, your senators represent you if you live in Portland.

Your U.S. senators represent you if you live in Beaverton or Washington county.

Your U.S. senators represent you if you live in Salem.

Your U.S. senators represent you if you live in Klamath Falls, Ontario, or Burns.

Your U.S. senators represent all the people of the state.

Who does a U.S. Senator represent? –> All people of the state

Do you remember the senators from your state? In Oregon, they are Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

We we elect a U.S. senator for six years. The citizens of the state elect the senators. Oregon citizens elected Ron Wyden in 2022 and Jeff Merkley in 2020.

Who elects U.S. senators? –> The citizens of the state

Every state has two senators, and we have 50 states. So, we have 100 senators in total. In Washington, the senators are Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.

How many U.S. Senators are there? –> 100

The Senate has 100 senators because we have two senators from fifty states. California has two senators. Idaho has two senators. Puerto Rico has… no senators (because it is a territory).

How many senators does each state have? –> 2

Every state is the same in the senate because they have only two senators. The goal is to have equal representation of all the states. They are all equal because they have two senators giving them representation.

Why does each state have two senators? –> Equal representation

Senators have a lot of respect. For example, we elect representatives for only 2 years. We elect the president for only 4 years. But we elect US senators for 6 years!

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? –> six

Now, let’s learn about another part or branch of the government: the courts, or judicial branch. Judges review laws and interpret them so we can understand them.

Also, if congress or the president do something against the law of the constitution, the courts can hold them responsible. This is an example of checks and balances.

What does the judicial branch do? –> Reviews laws / interprets laws

Every county in every state in the U.S. has a court. There are courts above those courts. And every state has a supreme court, too. We also have federal courts for every state, and courts above those courts.

The highest court in the U.S. is The Supreme Court.

What is one part of the judicial branch? –> The Supreme Court / federal courts

What is the highest court in the United States? –> The Supreme Court

The judges on the supreme court are special, and are called justices. When one retires or dies, the president can choose a new judge. But, the Senate has to approve the new justice.

In February 2022, Justice Stephen Breyer made a plan to retire from the Supreme Court, and President Biden chose Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to join the Supreme Court.

After Biden nominated Jackson, the Senate interviewed her and discussed her nomination. On April 7, 2022, the Senate confirmed her to the Supreme Court. She is the first African-American woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Right now, there are still nine justices on the Supreme Court. John Roberts is the chief justice.

How many justices are on the Supreme Court? –> nine

How many seats are on the Supreme Court? –> nine

Supreme Court justices listen to legal cases and work together to make a decision. Sometimes they all agree on the decision, and sometimes they disagree. They need at least five out of nine justices to decide a case.

How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case? –> five

Supreme Court justices serve for life. When a justice retires or dies, the president can choose a new justice. The senate votes to confirm them or not.

After that, the Supreme Court justices are independent. The senate cannot have a vote to remove them. So, they are “outside” of politics.

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why? –> to be independent / to be outside of politics

Review: The House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court

1. Who makes federal laws?
2. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
3. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
4. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
5. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
6. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
7. How many U.S. Senators are there?
8. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
9. What does the judicial branch do?
10. What is the highest court in the United States?
11. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The House 🏠

The United States government has three branches, or parts. Congress is the part that makes laws.

Congress makes laws for all of the United States. They can write laws about many things, like health care, unemployment benefits, transportation, the military, taxes, and more.

Citizens in every state choose members of congress. We vote for them, and they represent us in Washington DC. If you are not happy with something, you can call your representative and tell them. This is all part of democracy.

(100) Who makes federal laws? –> Congress

(128) What part of the federal government writes laws? –> Congress

(128) Name one power of the U.S. Congress. * –> Write laws

Congress has two parts. The House of Representatives has many members. The Senate has fewer members. They have to work together to make new laws, but it is not easy.

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* –> The House and the Senate

Citizens in every district elect US Representatives, and they serve a term of 2 years. After 2 years, there is another election for all the representatives.

That means every 2 years, the House can change a lot. But, representatives can run again and again, and serve for a long time.

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? –> 2

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives? –> 2 years

Representatives serve short terms of only 2 years. If they want to keep their job and win the next election, they have to pay more attention to public opinion. They really need to listen!

Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators? –> to pay more attention to public opinion

Every state sends Representatives to Washington DC, but some states send more. For example, Oregon has 6 Representatives. Washington has 10 Representatives. California has 52 Representatives.

Why? Washington has more people than Oregon. And California has the most people in the United States. Some states have more Representatives than other states because they have more people.

Before 2022, Oregon only had 5 representatives. In 2022, Oregon got a 6th representative. Why? Because the state population grew in 2020.

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? –> because they have more people / because of the state’s population

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why? –> because they have more people

The citizens in each district of congress elect members of the House. There are about 750,000 people in every district. You can find your district online.

Who elects members of the House of Representatives? –> the citizens in their district

Members of the house work for the people in their district. We also say that they represent the people in their district.

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent? –> the people in their district / the citizens in their district

The House of Representatives has 435 voting members.

How many voting members in the House of Representatives?
In the House of Representatives?
In the House of Representatives?
How many voting members in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty five!

The House of Representatives has how many voting members? –> 435

Review!

1. Who makes federal laws?
2. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
3. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
4. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
5. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

The United States is a democracy. Citizens choose leaders by voting in elections.

Voting is a special right that is only for United States citizens. When you become a citizen, you should register to vote!

(100) Name one right only for United States citizens. –> Vote in a federal election

Voting is also a responsibility. Only you can make a decision about your vote. No one can do it for you.

And if you don’t send your vote, it will not get done.

If you know someone who is voting and has questions, you can find a lot of help from the County Elections Office. In Multnomah County, you can even get help with translation.

Another responsibility is to serve on a jury. In the US, a jury is a group of citizens who make a decision in court. A jury may make a decision about a crime and if someone is guilty or not.

A jury may also work with a judge in a case about other kinds of law, too. If you are a citizen, it is your responsibility to serve on a jury.

Have you ever gotten mail about serving on a jury? In Oregon, courts use driver license information to choose people.

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* –> Vote in a federal election / serve on a jury

Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States? –> US Citizens

Citizens have to be 18 to vote for president. In Oregon, citizens can register to vote when they are 16, and they automatically register when they get a drivers license. But, they have to wait to be 18 to really vote.

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* –> 18 and older

What is one way Americans can serve their country? –> Vote / Pay taxes / Obey the laws

An amendment is a change to the Constitution. When the Constitution was written in 1787, only men with property could vote. Since then, Americans changed the Constitution 4 times:

• Men of all races can vote
• Voting must be free (no voting taxes)
• Women can vote (any citizen can vote)
• Citizens 18 and older can vote

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. –> Citizens 18 and older can vote / Any citizen can vote

When you register to vote, you can choose a political party. It is free to join a political party. It is public information kept by the Oregon secretary of state. It is your right to join any political party, or none.

But, you should join a political party so you can vote in a primary election. A primary election is the election that each political party has to choose their candidate.

So, Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary election. Republicans can vote in the Republican primary election. After the primary, there is a general election. All registered voters can vote in a general election.

(100) What are the two major political parties in the United States?* –> Democratic and Republican

Review

Review of the Constitution and Your Rights + The Right to Vote

Can you answer these questions when someone asks you?

Extra practice: can you write the answers?

1. What is the “rule of law”?
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
3. What is an amendment?
4. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
5. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
6. What is freedom of religion?
7. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
8. Name one right only for United States citizens.
9. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
10. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
11. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
12. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

Civics and Reading

The constitution defines the government for all Americans.

We don’t have any kings, queens, or nobility. Everyone must follow the law.

What about teachers? They must follow the law.

What about governors? They must follow the law.

What about presidents? They must follow the law.

(100 and 128) What is the “rule of law”? –> Everyone must follow the law.

The first three words of the constitution are “We the People.” This means that the constitution and the government of the United States are the work of the people. It is not the work of a king.

The government of the United States is for the benefit of the people. We elect leaders and representatives to help make good decisions. The name of this type of government is “Republic”.

What is the form of government of the United States? –> Republic

The constitution was written in 1787. It had many problems.

For example, in 1787, women could not vote.

In 1787, white men could own slaves.

In 1787, Native Americans had no rights in the U.S.

After 1787, Americans made many changes to the constitution. A change to the constitution is also called an amendment.

For example, Americans made 4 amendments to change voting rights for all citizens of any race, men and women, 18 and older.

What is an amendment? –> A change (to the constitution)

How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution? –> An amendment

Congress and the states can change the constitution, but it is not easy. Also, it takes a long time to pass an amendment.

Congress and the states have only changed the Constitution 27 times.

How many fingers do you have? And toes? And eyes? And ears? And nostrils (holes in your nose)?And mouths?

(100 and 128) How many amendments does the Constitution have? –> 27

In 1789, Congress made 10 amendments to the Constitution. This list of amendments was called a bill.

These first 10 amendments give us really important rights. A “right” means something that a person can do, and that the government cannot stop or limit them from.

So, we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution the Bill of Rights.

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? –> The Bill of Rights

What does the Bill of Rights protect? –> The rights of Americans / The rights of people living in the United States

The first amendment gives all Americans the right to free speech. It also gives us the right to come together, to protest, to report news freely, and to practice religion.

(100) What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* –> Speech

Many colonists came from Europe to America for religious freedom. They wanted to practice their religion in a free way.

Now, we also have the freedom to not practice a religion. Even today, many people come to the United States for religious freedom.

(100) What is freedom of religion? –> You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

These rights in the constitution are for all people in the United States. That means these are rights for citizens, permanent residents, undocumented people, and visitors.

For example, everyone living in the United States has the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and freedom to bear arms.

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? –> freedom of speech, freedom of religion

What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? –> freedom of speech / freedom of religion / freedom of expression / freedom to bear arms.

Review

1. What is the “rule of law”?
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
3. What is an amendment?
4. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
5. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
6. What is freedom of religion?
7. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

The United States government has many parts. Congress makes federal laws. The court interprets the laws. The president signs bills to become laws. The president is also in charge of the Executive branch.

Each part of the government is called a branch. The constitution made 3 branches of government to work together.

Name one branch or part of the government.* –> Congress / the President / the courts

Name the three branches of government. –> Congress, the president, and the courts

The founding fathers did not want America to have a king. They worried about one part of the government from getting too much power.

So, congress has some powers over the president. The president has some power over congress. The court has some power over the president and congress. Congress and the president also have some power over the court.

This separation of power is supposed to keep things balanced. We sometimes call these rules checks and balances.

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? –> Checks and balances / separation of power

There are three branches of government. Why? –> Checks and balances / separation of power

Another balance of power is between the federal government and state governments. The federal government means the government of all 50 states, with the capital in Washington, D.C.

Only the federal government can do some special things, like:

• Print money
• Declare war
• Make treaties

Be careful with this question: it is very similar to another question!

The key word is: federal government

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? –> print money

Name one power that is only for the federal government. –> print money

On the other hand, only state governments have these powers:

• Give a driver license
• Provide education
• Provide police and safety

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? –> give a driver license

Name one power that is only for the states. –> give a driver license

An amendment is a change to the Constitution. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights.

The 10th Amendment to the Constitution means that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people. It also means there are limits to federal government power.

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment? –> powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people

Weekly Review

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
3. What does the Constitution do?
4. When was the Constitution written?
5. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
6. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
7. Name one branch or part of the government.*
8. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
9. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
10. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The constitution is the most important law of the United States.

That is what we mean when we say the constitution is the supreme law of the US.

Practice saying “The Constitution” because you will need to say it for many of the questions and answers 😊

(100 and 128) What is the supreme law of the land? –> The Constitution

The Constitution has the idea of self-government in the first three words.

Self-government means a government by the people, of the people, and for the people.

It means we have a democracy, and we elect representatives.

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? –> We the people

The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean? –> Self-government

Why did the United States need a constitution? Before the Constitution, the US didn’t have a clear system. States did not agree about important things like money, the military, or elections.

Also, many people wanted to protect Americans’ basic rights. For example, people wanted the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

The Constitution was a plan to form the government. It sets up the government. It also protects the basic rights of Americans.

What does the Constitution do? –> It sets up the government.

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does. –> forms the government / protects the rights of the people

Representatives from the 13 states worked for almost 4 months to write the constitution. George Washington was the leader of the Constitutional Convention in Pennsylvania.

They talked, wrote, argued, and voted on every word. In September 1787, the representatives made the final changes.

How can you remember this year? For example, can you remember something that happened in 1987?

When was the Constitution written? –> 1787

What founding document was written in 1787? –> The Constitution

This meeting was called the “Constitutional Convention.” At the Constitutional Convention, the constitution was written.

(100 only) What happened at the Constitutional Convention? –>The founding fathers wrote the constitution / The Constitution was written.

At the Constitutional Convention, representatives talked about many important documents. Some of the ideas from the Declaration of Independence gave them some ideas.

So, the Declaration of Independence influenced the US Constitution. Also, the Federalist Papers influenced the US Constitution.

Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one. –> The Declaration of Independence / The Federalist Papers

After the constitution was written, every state voted to agree or disagree with it.

Alexander Hamilton wrote most of the Federalist Papers. John Jay and James Madison wrote some of the Federalist Papers, too. They explained why the US needed this constitution.

You can remember Hamilton from this song:

(100 and 128) The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. –> Alexander Hamilton / John Jay / James Madison

Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one. –> one of the writers of the Federalist Papers

Why were the Federalist Papers important? –> They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution/They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
3. What does the Constitution do?
4. When was the Constitution written?
5. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
6. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.