The House of Representatives plays an important role in the United States Government. Its job was given by the Founding Fathers of the United States during the Philadelphia Convention in May of 1787 when our current Government was created.
The Three Branches of Government
The signing of the ConstitutionOil on Canvas, Howard Chandler Christy, 1940, Architect of the Capitol
During the Philadelphia Convention, it was decided that the United States Government should have three branches. The three branches would keep each other balanced so that one branch did not become too powerful. All Americans have equal and fair representation through the three branches:
- Legislative: The Congress
The legislative branch makes the laws of the United States, controls all of the money, and has the power to declare war. - Executive: The President and Vice President
The executive branch enforces the laws of the United States, spends money as allowed by Congress, declares states of emergency, appoints Judges to the Supreme Court, and grants pardons for crimes. - Judicial: The Supreme Court
The judicial branch interprets laws, judges when a law is unconstitutional, and makes arrangements for prisoners.
To be sure that one branch does not become more powerful than the others, the Government has a system called checks and balances. Through this system, each branch is given power to check on the other two branches. The President has the power to veto a bill sent from Congress, which would stop it from becoming a law. Congress has the power to impeach Supreme Court Judges or Presidents. The Supreme Court has the power to overturn a law that they believe is unconstitutional.
The Legislative Branch
The U.S. Capitol
Congress meets at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress have offices in buildings that are attached to the Capitol and visit the Capitol for meetings and legislative sessions. See if you can help A.Bill get from his office to the Capitol to vote on a law by trying the Capitol Maze!
During the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, participants from large states wanted the number of representatives in Congress based on the number of citizens in the stateâso the more citizens the more representatives. Participants from small states were worried they would have no power and wanted an equal number of representatives from each state. To be sure everyone had equal representation and power it was decided that the Congress would have two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The two houses work together to pass laws.
The Senate
The Senate has 100 membersâ2 Senators from each state, regardless of its size. Senators serve 6 year terms and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.
The House of Representatives
The House Chamber
The House of Representatives has 435 voting Members, five Delegates, and one Resident Commissioner. Members and Delegates each serve a two year term while Resident Commissioners serve for four years. The number of Representatives from each state is based on the stateâs population. Each state has at least one Representative.
By separating the two branches of Congress, Americans are guaranteed equal representation. The houses work together to pass laws that are then enforced by the Executive Branch and overseen by the Judicial Branch.
The House of Representatives is full of traditions and artifacts. You can see what the oldest artifactâthe coin silver inkstandâlooks like by printing out the Relic Connect the Dots!
FAQs
The origin of homework is often attributed to Roberto Nevilis, an Italian educator who lived in the 20th century. Roberto Nevilis is believed to have been a school teacher in Venice, and it is said that he is the one who conceived the idea of assigning tasks to students outside of regular class hours.
Can I refuse for my kid to do homework? âș
Homework: How to Opt Out
To opt out, I send a note to each of my children's teachers at the beginning of the year letting them know that my child will not be completing homework, that their overall grade should not be impacted, and that they should not be penalized in any way for not turning in homework assignments.
How did they teach in a one room schoolhouse? âș
In a one-room school, a single teacher would teach students of different ages together in a single room. Typically, the one-room school teacher, who frequently would've had only two years of higher education, only taught the first stage of the trivium: grammar.
What determines if a child skips a grade? âș
Grade skipping is usually done when a student is sufficiently advanced in all school subjects, so that they can move forward in all subjects or graduate, rather than in only one or two areas. There are alternatives to grade skipping.
Is homework really necessary? âș
As studies show, homework helps students in many aspects such as higher test scores, but it can also harm students by contributing to stress when given too much homework.
Does homework actually help? âș
Homework helps to reinforce classroom learning, while developing good study habits and life skills. Students typically retain only 50% of the information teachers provide in class, and they need to apply that information in order to truly learn it.
Why is homework not illegal? âș
If a student is pursuing a higher education, homework drills in the necessary study skills for succeeding while away at school. In addition, it forces the student to have accountability for their education outside of the classroom. They'll learn to self motivate and pursue learning opportunities outside of school.
Is homework against the law? âș
The Law does not state or require students to do homework. However, it allows schools to set enforce rules and standards to help ensure that students receive an education. So the school is within its power to make you complete the assigned work or face school internal consequences.
Why homework should not be illegal? âș
Homework plays a crucial role in preparing students for tests and exams. It allows them to review material, practice problem-solving, and assess their understanding. This preparation can lead to better performance on assessments and reduce test anxiety, as students feel more confident in their abilities.
Did one-room school houses have bathrooms? âș
The Outhouse: Students did not have restrooms in the one-room schoolhouse. They had to walk outside to an outhouse to use the bathroom. The outhouse was a small outdoors âbuildingâ with a toilet in it. The toilet was usually a wood seat with a hole in it built over a pit in the ground.
In the aftermath of World War II many one-room schools were eliminated as mobility became more common, mechanization increased farm size and reduced farm numbers, and the migration of population from rural to urban areas accelerated.
How were teachers paid in the 1800s? âș
In the mid-1800s, female teachers were paid approximately $14 a month, with the men earning twice that amount. Each gender had strict rules of behavior that grew more lenient over time. One-room schoolhouses remained the backbone of American education for more than 200 years.
What is the most common grade to skip? âș
Students most often skip only one grade. For example, you may choose for your child to skip first grade and go straight from kindergarten to second. It's also common for a child to skip second grade, moving from first into third. This single-year skipping keeps the student from feeling too distanced from their peers.
Should smart kids skip grades? âș
Let Your Gifted Child Discover The Power Of One
If you're considering skipping grades for your child, be sure to weigh all your options. Grade skipping might do more harm than good for your child. Enrolling your child in a one-on-one instruction class is an excellent alternative to skipping grades.
How many kids skip a grade each year? âș
It's a wide margin, sure, but the point is clear. Roughly 1 in 3 studentsâa full third of the classâare already prepared for the next grade up when they walk into class at the beginning of the school year. By comparison, only about 1 percent of students skip grades at some point in K-12.
What was the real reason homework was invented? âș
If you've ever felt curious about who invented homework, a quick online search might direct you to a man named Roberto Nevilis, a teacher in Venice, Italy. As the story goes, Nevilis invented homework in 1905 (or 1095) to punish students who didn't demonstrate a good understanding of the lessons taught during class.
Should homework be eliminated? âș
Some educational experts suggest that there should be hours of homework in high school, some homework in middle school, and none in elementary school. Some call for the 10-minute rule. Others say that homework doesn't work at all. It's still fairly unstudied how achievement is impacted as a result of homework.
Why did homework start? âș
Online, there are many articles that point to Roberto Nevilis as the first educator to give his students homework. He created it as a way to punish his lazy students and ensure that they fully learned their lessons.
Who actually invented homework? âș
Roberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with having invented homework in 1095âor 1905, depending on your sources.
