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)
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard defining and illustrating key terminology for the Legislative Branch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Understanding key terms allows students to follow lessons, participate confidently in discussions, and analyze how laws are made and government functions.
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.