“Unpacking the Standards”:Government

8th Grade Social Studies

Unit 8: GovernmentLesson 1: Foundations of Government

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Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG1The student will describe the role of

citizens under Georgia’s constitution.

Lesson 1: Foundations of Government

a. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution.

b. Explain the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances.

c. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

d. Explain voting requirements and elections in Georgia.

e. Explain the role of political parties in government.

SS8CG2 Elements

“Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and

nouns on your “T” Chart

Unit 8: GovernmentLesson 1: Foundations of Government

•Basic Structure of:

1. GA’s Constitution•Concepts of:

2. Separation of Powers

3. Checks and Balances •Citizens and their:

4. Rights and Responsibilities

•Georgia’s:

5. Voting Requirements

6. Elections•Role of:

7. Political Parties

•Explain

•Explain

•Describe

•Explain

•Explain

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Unit 8: GovernmentLesson 2: Legislative Branch in GA

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Lesson 2: The LegislativeBranch in Georgia

Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG2The student will analyze the role of the

legislative branch in Georgia state government.

SS8CG2 Elementsa. Explain the qualifications, term, election,

and duties of members of the General Assembly.

b. Describe the organization of the General Assembly, with emphasis on leadership and the committee system.

c. Trace the steps in the legislative process for a bill to become a law in Georgia.

“Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and

nouns on your “T” Chart

Unit 8: Government Lesson 2: Legislative Branch in GA

•Qualifications, Term, Election, and Duties of Members of:

1. General Assembly

•Organization of the General Assembly with Emphasis on:

2. Leadership

3. Committee System

•Legislative Process in GA:

4. Steps for a Bill to Become a Law

•Explain

•Describe

•Trace

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Unit 8: GovernmentLesson 3: Executive Branch in GA

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Lesson 3: The ExecutiveBranch in Georgia

Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG3The student will analyze the role of the

executive branch in Georgia state government.

SS8CG3 Elementsa. Explain the qualifications, term, election,

and duties of the governor and lieutenant governor.

b. Describe the organization of the executive branch, with emphasis on major policy areas of state programs.

“Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and

nouns on your “T” Chart

Unit 8: Government Lesson 3: Executive Branch in GA

•Qualifications, Term, Election, and Duties of:

1. Governor

2. Lieutenant Governor

•Organization of the Executive Branch with Emphasis on:

3. Major Policy Areas of State Programs

•Explain

•Describe

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Unit 8: GovernmentLesson 4: Judicial Branch in GA

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Lesson 4: The JudicialBranch in Georgia

Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG4The student will analyze the role of the

judicial branch in Georgia state government.

SS8CG4 Elementsa. Explain the structure of the court system in

Georgia including trial and appellate procedures and how judges are selected.

b. Explain the difference between criminal law and civil law.

c. Describe the adult justice system, emphasizing the different jurisdictions, terminology, and steps in the criminal justice process.

d. Describe ways to avoid trouble and settle disputes peacefully.

“Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and

nouns on your “T” Chart

Unit 8: Government Lesson 4: Judicial Branch in GA

•Structure and Procedures of:

1. Court System in GA

2. Trial Procedures

3. Appellate Procedures

4. Selection of Judges•Differences between:

5. Criminal Law

6. Civil Law•Criminal Justice Process of:

7. Adult Justice System•Ways to:

8. Avoid Trouble

9. Settle Disputes Peacefully

•Explain

•Explain

•Describe

•Describe

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Unit 8: GovernmentLesson 5: Local Governments in GA

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Lesson 5: Local Governments in Georgia

Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG5The student will analyze the role of

local governments in the state of Georgia.

SS8CG5 Elementsa. Explain the origins, functions, purposes,

and differences of county and city governments in Georgia.

b. Compare and contrast the weak mayor-council, the strong mayor-council, and the council-manager forms of city government.

c. Describe the functions of special-purpose governments.

“Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and

nouns on your “T” Chart

Lesson 5: Local Governments in Georgia

Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8E4The student will identify revenue

sources and services provided by state and local governments.

SS8E4 Elementsa. Trace sources of state revenue such as

sales taxes, federal grants, personal income taxes, and property taxes.

b. Explain the distribution of state revenue to provide services.

c. Evaluate how choices are made given the limited revenues of state and local governments.

“Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and

nouns on your “T” Chart

Unit 8: Government Lesson 5: Local Governments in GA

•Origins, Functions, Purposes and Differences of:

1. County Governments

2. City Governments•Forms of City Government:

3. Weak Mayor-Council

4. Strong Mayor-Council

5. Council-Manager •Functions of:

6. Special Purpose Governments

•Sources, Distribution, and Spending of:

7. Revenue

•Explain

•Compare and Contrast

•Describe

•Trace, Explain, and Evaluate

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Unit 8: GovernmentLesson 6: Juvenile Justice

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Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice

Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG6The student will explain how the

Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders.

SS8CG6 Elementsa. Explain the difference between delinquent behavior and

unruly behavior and the consequences of each. b. Describe the rights of juveniles when taken into custody. c. Describe the juvenile justice system, emphasizing the

different jurisdictions, terminology, and steps in the juvenile justice process.

d. Explain the seven delinquent behaviors that can subject juvenile offenders to the adult criminal process, how the decision to transfer to adult court is made, and the possible consequences.

“Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and

nouns on your “T” Chart

Government Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice

•Difference Between and Consequences of:

1. Delinquent Behavior

2. Unruly Behavior•Rights when taken into custody of:

3. Juveniles•Jurisdictions, Terminology, and Steps in:

4. Juvenile Justice System•Behaviors that can Subject Juvenile Offenders to the Adult Criminal Process:

5. 7 Delinquent Behaviors

•Explain

•Describe

•Describe

•Explain

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