Laws Rule!

Virtual Field Trip

by

Shirley L. Palmer

 

 

 Have you ever wondered what it would be like if we did not have any rules or laws to tell us what to do?  What would happen at a basketball game if there were no rules?  The players most likely would be fighting over the ball and someone might get hurt. 

Rules and Laws protect us from harm.  If there were no traffic laws, do you think it would be safe to drive a car?  I bet that some people would not stop at stop signs and would even run red lights.  This would make it unsafe for other drivers.  What if you were walking and wanted to cross the street?  Would it be safe?

 

We are going to take a field trip to learn more about Laws.  To do this, we must understand a little about our Government.  Why do we need a Government?  Click on the link to answer the question. 

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/k-2/government/index.html

 

We have discovered that the Constitution gives guidelines for how our Government is set up.  We know that there are three branches; Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. 

 

 

Legislative

&    Makes the Laws for the nation

&    The lawmaking body is known as Congress

&    Congress has two parts – House of Representatives and the Senate

 

Executive

&    Makes sure people follow the Laws

&    The President and Vice-President are the leaders

&    The Cabinet is made up of 15 helpers to the President         

 

Judicial

&    The courts help determine the meaning of a Law

&    The highest court is the Supreme Court

&    The Supreme Court consists of 9 judges 

 

Now that we know the Legislative Branch is responsible for making the Laws, we need to answer the next two questions.

How are Laws made?  What is a bill?

Click on the link to learn how Laws are made.  Follow the steps on the left side of page, starting with the word “begin” and read each cartoon.  For more detailed information, scroll down and read paragraphs.

http://clerkkids.house.gov/laws/index.html

 

You now know what a bill is and how it can become a law. 

The song, “I’m Just a Bill” from School-House Rock is a fun way to learn and remember this process.  Click on the next site to hear the song.

http://www.school-house-rock.com/Bill.html

 

On your trip, you have learned that Laws are made by Congress and Congress meets in the U.S. Capitol.  You have also learned that the President is the one who signs the bill to make it a Law.  He lives in the White House.  The Supreme Court helps determine the meaning of a Law and the judges work in the Supreme Court Building.  Click on the sites below to visit each of these buildings.

 

 

Life in the White House

http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/tours/#

 

 

The Capitol Complex, House Chamber,

National Statuary Hall Collection

(What statues did Kentucky contribute to the collection?)

When you get to the site, click on the left side on “field trip.”

http://clerkkids.house.gov/trip/index.html

 

 

 

The Supreme Court Building

http://www.oyez.org/tour/

 

 

An extra site for touring all three of these buildings can be found at

http://www.libraryspot.com/features/fieldtripfeature.htm

 

 

This concludes our virtual field trip.  I hope you have enjoyed your visit and that you learned a lot about our Government.