Lesson 4: What a U.S. Senator Does (primary source analysis)
Duration of Days: 1
Lesson Objective
Students will explain the key responsibilities and duties of a U.S. Senator, including lawmaking, representation, and oversight.
Students will describe how a senator represents constituents at the national level and balances local and national interests.
Students will identify the ways senators influence major legislation and national policy, with historical context from notable senators such as Dirksen.
How does a U.S. Senator represent citizens and influence national policy through the legislative process?
CG.Civ.4.b. Describe how the United States Constitution organizes, enumerates, and divides power to
create a limited government (e.g., separation of powers, checks and balances, necessary
and proper clause, supremacy clause, 10th Amendment).
DOK level 3
Analyze Dirksen’s perspective on a senator’s role and connect it to modern senators.
Evaluate how senators’ actions in committees or floor debates affect policy outcomes.
Compare and contrast the roles of a senator versus a House member using textual evidence.
students can translate document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JyN0vMamN7W9asoXrDHW3CTPNEddYOrDCqQdwUspQmE/edit?tab=t.0
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JyN0vMamN7W9asoXrDHW3CTPNEddYOrDCqQdwUspQmE/edit?tab=t.0