Name:
CongressLink
Brief Description of the Site:
Aptly named, CongressLink provides information about the activities and members of Congress, and the public policies produced there. The site contains a robust set of resources for teachers including lesson plans, historical materials, classroom aids, WebQuests, and a list of other useful resources. Additionally, the site contains information about the history of Congress and congressional procedures. Lesson plan templates and an evaluation rubric are present that help teachers create lessons from resources present at the site. The site can also be translated into five other languages by an onboard translation engine. All teachers who teach the democratic process should use this site.
How to use the site:
This site offers teachers and students a rich information resource about Congress, including many opportunities to become involved in the democratic process. Begin by viewing the Information Center, which provides a handy Web-based interface for writing members of Congress. Continue by having students use "Guide to Congress" to locate members of the various Senate and House Committees for other potential writing assignments. Of the lesson plans available on the site, teachers should consider trying the simulation "Winning the Seat: A Congressional Election Simulation." Especially interesting among the five WebQuests present at this site is "How Influential is Your Member of Congress" that provides a process for students to research their senators and representatives to see how influential they are. Additional Web links round out this extremely well-done site.
Submitted by:
Gwen Solomon
Web Picks Coordinator: David Jakes
Criteria for selection
|
