Storybook County Lessons · Lesson 1
Writing a Bill
An Act to Amend the Storybook County Building Code
Storybook County Lessons · Lesson 1
Writing a Bill
An Act to Amend the Storybook County Building Code
Grades 9 to 12, adaptable for younger students · Four 30-minute sessions
Teacher note. Handouts: 1. The Storybook County Building Code; 2. Bill Template; 3. Seal of State Approval Checklist; 4. Sample Completed Section 2 (for you). Form groups of 2 to 3 before Session 1.
The story
The story problem
Three Little Pigs built three houses. Two blew down. The Big Bad Wolf is a known hazard in the Deep Woods, yet the Storybook County Building Code says nothing about wind-resistant walls or wolf-resistant doors.
- The Three Little Pigs
- The Big Bad Wolf
- Humpty Dumpty
- Hansel and Gretel
- The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe
Teacher note. All characters are public domain. Each character gives groups a different angle on the code: wall safety, gingerbread materials, occupancy limits.
You will be able to
- Connect a community problem to an existing law.
- Write a bill in the Youth and Government format.
- Show changes with underlines for additions and
strikeoutsfor deletions. - Check a bill against the Seal of State Approval checklist.
Session 1 · 30 min
From Story to Problem to Law
- Hook5 min
- Read the existing law10 min
- Problem brainstorm10 min
- Group check5 min
Hook
Whose fault was it that the straw house fell? The pig, the wolf, or the county that allowed it?
Teacher note. Read the ending of The Three Little Pigs aloud first. Then explain that legislators turn exactly this kind of "someone should do something" moment into a bill.
Existing law
The Storybook County Building Code
Section 3. Permitted Materials. Structures may be built of stone, brick, wood, straw, sticks or any other material the owner finds convenient.
Section 4. Inspection. The county may inspect a structure if the owner invites the county to tea.
Section 5. Walls. Walls shall be of a height sufficient to sit upon.
Section 6. Occupancy. No limit.
Section 7. Penalties. Any wolf, giant or witch who damages a structure shall be asked to leave.
Teacher note. Distribute the full code (Supporting Document 1) and read it together. Point out that it has sections, definitions and gaps.
The first rule of bill writing
You cannot move forward without the original law.
A bill changes a law. It does not float free.
Teacher note. Read the Existing Law step: 10 minutes total with the slide before.
Problem brainstorm
What problem could a story character have with this code?
- No wind-load rule
- No definition of "dwelling"
- Gingerbread is not a listed material
- No occupancy limit for footwear
Teacher note. List every problem on the board. Each group picks one. Encourage groups to pick different sections so the class ends with a varied bill book.
Group check
In one sentence: "Section __ should be amended to require..."
Teacher note. Each group states its problem and the section of the code it will change.
Session 2 · 30 min
Drafting the Bill
- Walk the template5 min
- The marking rule5 min
- Draft15 min
- Task check5 min
Say it
The People of Storybook County, represented in the Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows.
The enacting clause
Teacher note. Distribute the Bill Template. Read the enacting clause aloud, then explain each section of the template in one line.
Parts of a bill
- Title: "An Act to..." and sponsors
- Enacting clause
- Purpose
- Section 1: Definitions
- Section 2: Provisions
- Justification
- Fiscal and environmental implications
- Effective date
The marking rule
Words added are underlined. Words removed are struck through.
If nothing is underlined or struck out, it is not a bill.
Teacher note. 5 minutes.
Sample Section 2
What a change looks like
Section 3. Permitted Materials. Structures may be built of stone, brick, wood, straw, sticks or any other material the owner finds convenient material rated by the County Engineer to withstand a Category Two Huff and Puff. Straw and sticks may be used only for roofing above a brick or stone wall.
Teacher note. This is Supporting Document 4, written for the teacher. Show it only if groups need a model after they start drafting.
Draft
- Purpose: one or two sentences
- Section 1 Definitions: every new term underlined
- Section 2 Provisions: the actual change, with underlines and strikeouts
Task check
Show me one underline and one strikeout.
Teacher note. Circulate and ask each group.
Session 3 · 30 min
Justification, Money and Trees
- Why this bill5 min
- Write the justification10 min
- Fiscal and environmental implications10 min
- Effective date5 min
Why this bill?
Why should the county do this? Answer with evidence.
Teacher note. In Storybook County, evidence comes from the stories: how many houses fell, who was harmed, what the wolf said at the door.
Write the justification
Write 3 to 5 sentences that cite at least two specific events from your story.
Money and trees
What does your bill cost, and what does it do to the environment? "None" is an answer, but say why.
- Who pays for brick?
- Does the county need a wall inspector?
- What happens to the straw?
Effective date
When does your law take effect, and why?
- Immediately
- Next building season
- Upon the Wolf's next visit
Session 4 · 30 min
The Seal of State Approval
- Explain the Seal5 min
- Peer review10 min
- Revise10 min
- Wrap-up5 min
The Seal of State Approval
Format is not optional. A brilliant idea in the wrong format is sent back.
Teacher note. At the conference, the Comptroller's team reads every bill for format before it is heard. A bill that passes gets the Seal of State Approval. 5 minutes.
Seal of State Approval checklist
- Original law identified by section number
- Purpose: one or two sentences
- Definitions: every new term fully underlined
- Provisions: underlines and strikeouts
- Justification cites the story
- Fiscal and environmental implications
- Effective date
- Title begins "An Act to..." and sponsors listed
Peer review
Swap bills. Mark each checklist item met or not met, and write one sentence of help for each missed item.
Revise
Fix what your reviewers found.
Wrap-up
Read your bill title aloud.
- "An Act to Amend Section 3 of the Storybook County Building Code in relation to wind-resistant construction"
Teacher note. Collect the bills. They become the bill book for Lesson 2, the Committee Hearing.
How bills are scored
- Bill format: 40
- Purpose and provisions: 25
- Justification: 20
- Fiscal and environmental implications: 10
- Teamwork: 5
Teacher note. Support: give a partly completed bill and allow groups to amend one sentence. Challenge: require three or more definitions, or two sections that must work together.
Your bill is ready for committee
Next: Lesson 2, Committee Hearing and Bill Ranking
Eyes up here
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