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CIV.IQ
Elementary (K-5)Representatives & Congress30-40 minutes

My Representatives

Essential Question

Who helps make decisions for our community at the national level?

Overview

Students discover who their elected representatives are at the federal level by exploring their congressional district using their ZIP code.

C3 Standards Alignment

D2.Civ.1.K-2D2.Civ.3.K-2

Learning Objectives

  • Define what a representative does(D2.Civ.3.K-2)
  • Use their ZIP code to find their federal representatives on CIV.IQ(D2.Civ.1.K-2)
  • Name their 2 senators and 1 House representative
  • Identify the political party of each representative

Materials

  • --Computer/tablet with internet access
  • --Projector for demonstration
  • --Worksheet E1: My Representatives
  • --Classroom ZIP code written on board

Vocabulary

RepresentativeSenatorCongressDistrictElectedParty

Procedure

1Introduction

5 minutes
  1. Ask: "Who makes rules at our school?" (principal, teachers)
  2. Ask: "Who makes rules for our whole country?"
  3. Introduce the word "representative" — someone who speaks for a group of people
  4. Explain: "Today we're going to find out WHO represents US in the government"

2Guided Practice

15 minutes
  1. Display CIV.IQ homepage on projector
  2. Point to ZIP code search box
  3. Enter classroom ZIP code together
  4. Results page appears with 3 representatives
  5. Walk through each: "This is one of our Senators. Senators represent our whole STATE."
  6. "This is our other Senator. Every state has exactly TWO senators."
  7. "This is our Representative. They represent our DISTRICT."
  8. Click on one representative to show their profile page
  9. Point out: photo, name, party, state

3Independent Practice

10 minutes
  1. Students complete Worksheet E1
  2. They record the names of all 3 representatives
  3. They draw a picture of one representative (from the photo)
  4. They write or dictate one thing they noticed

4Closing

5 minutes
  1. Share: What did you notice about your representatives?
  2. Preview: "Next time we'll learn more about what these people DO for us"

Activities

Find Your Representatives

guided-practice15 minutes

Use CIV.IQ to look up representatives by entering your school's ZIP code. Record the names of your U.S. Representative and two Senators.

Open on CIV.IQ: ZIP Code Lookup →

Representative Profile Cards

project10 minutes

Create a simple profile card for each representative with their name, photo, party, and one interesting fact.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do we have representatives instead of everyone voting on every law?

    Follow-up: What would it be like if everyone had to vote on everything?

  2. How do you think representatives learn what the people in their area want?

  3. What makes a good representative?

Assessment

Students can correctly name their U.S. Representative and at least one Senator, and explain that representatives are elected to make decisions for the people.

Extensions

  • --Students who finish early can explore the representative's profile page
  • --Find one interesting fact to share with the class

Teacher Notes

  • For K-1, consider doing the worksheet as a whole class activity
  • If students have different home ZIP codes, they can look up their own
  • Some ZIP codes span multiple districts — use the classroom ZIP for consistency

Common Questions

Why do we have representatives instead of everyone voting on every law?
What would it be like if everyone had to vote on everything?
How do you think representatives learn what the people in their area want?
This discussion question is explored in the My Representatives lesson plan.
What makes a good representative?
This discussion question is explored in the My Representatives lesson plan.