U.S. Senate

The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, with the other being the House of Representatives. The Senate is made up of 100 senators, two from each of the 50 states. Senators are elected to six-year terms and one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years.

Role and Responsibilities

The Senate has several key roles and responsibilities, including:

Legislative Authority: The Senate shares the responsibility for making laws with the House of Representatives. It must pass all legislation before it can become law.
Confirmation of Officials: The Senate has the power to confirm or reject the President's appointments for key positions, such as federal judges and members of the President's Cabinet.
Treaty Approval: The Senate must approve any treaties negotiated by the President before they can take effect.
Impeachment Trials: The Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials, with a two-thirds majority required to convict and remove an official from office.

Leadership

The Senate is led by the Vice President of the United States, who serves as the President of the Senate. In the absence of the Vice President, the President pro tempore, who is usually the longest-serving member of the majority party, presides over the Senate.

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember when studying the U.S. Senate:

How many senators are there in the U.S. Senate?
What are the key roles and responsibilities of the Senate?
Who presides over the Senate?
What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
How often are Senate elections held?

Understanding the structure, functions, and powers of the U.S. Senate is crucial for anyone interested in the political system of the United States.

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Fourth Grade. U.S. Senate

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

POWER, AUTHORITY, AND GOVERNANCE

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF HOW PEOPLE CREATE, INTERACT WITH, AND CHANGE STRUCTURES OF POWER, AUTHORITY, AND GOVERNANCE.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Fundamental values of democracy: the common good, liberty, justice, equality, and individual dignity.

The basic elements of government in the United States: executive, legislative, and judicial authority.

CIVIC IDEALS AND PRACTICES

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF THE IDEALS, PRINCIPLES, AND PRACTICES OF CITIZENSHIP IN A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Concepts and ideals such as: individual dignity, fairness, freedom, the common good, rule of law, civic life, rights, and responsibilities.

National Standards for Civics and Government (NSCG)

What are the Basic Values and Principles of American Democracy? Why is it important for Americans to share certain values, principles, and beliefs?

American identity: Students should be able to explain the importance of Americans sharing and supporting certain values, principles, and beliefs. To achieve this standard, students should be able to

Explain that Americans are united by the values, principles, and beliefs they share rather than by ethnicity, race, religion, class, language, gender, or national origin

Explain the importance of shared values, principles, and beliefs to the continuation and improvement of American democracy

How Does the Government Established by the Constitution Embody the Purposes, Values, and Principles of American Democracy? What is the United States Constitution and why is it important?

The meaning and importance of the United States Constitution: Students should be able to describe what the United States Constitution is and why it is important. To achieve this standard, students should be able to explain that the United States Constitution

Was created by people who believed that the

The people have the right to choose their representatives

What are the Roles of the Citizen in American Democracy? How can Americans participate in their government?

Forms of participation: Students should be able to describe the means by which citizens can influence the decisions and actions of their government. To achieve this standard, students should be able to

Identify ways people can monitor and influence the decisions and actions of their government

Taking an active role in interest groups, political parties, and other organizations that attempt to influence public policy and elections

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

Topic 3: The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage

How democratic values came to be, and how they have been exemplified by people, events, and symbols.

The student understands events that celebrate and exemplify fundamental values and principles of American democracy.