Congress in Article I of the Constitution

Suggested Teaching Instructions

This lesson is appropriate for introducing students in grades 5–8 to studying the text of the Constitution.

Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask students to begin the activity, analyzing each document for a possible link to Article I of the Constitution. Students should match each document with one clause from Article I. They will identify six pairs to reveal some of the characteristics and powers of Congress.

Once they have matched the pairs and clicked "I'm Done," they will be prompted to reflect on the pairs they have identified and the rest of Article I. Hold a class discussion based on the final question: What characteristics and powers of Congress justify its being referred to as the "people's branch of government"?

Follow up on this lesson by having the students use the lesson Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution, from the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives.