The Constitution

Social Studies · Unit 1, Chapter 2 · Test Friday, September 4

Everything you need to know

Read this part first. Then play the games to practice.

The three branches of government

Legislative
  • Led by Congress
  • Two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives
  • Job: makes and writes the laws
Judicial
  • Led by the Supreme Court and its 9 justices
  • Also includes other judges and courts
  • Job: makes sure laws are fair and carried out the right way
Executive
  • Led by the President and his Cabinet
  • Job: carries out and enforces the laws

How a bill becomes a law

  1. A member of Congress has an idea for a law and writes a bill.
  2. The bill is voted on in one house of Congress.
  3. The bill goes to the other house of Congress for another vote.
  4. The President signs the bill and it becomes a law.