1. “Unpacking the Standards”: Government
8th Grade Social Studies
Mr. Short

2. Unit 4: Government Lesson 1: Foundations of Government
Nouns
Verbs

3. Lesson 1: Foundations of Government
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG1
The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia’s constitution.

4. “Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8CG1 Elements
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.

5. Unit 4: Government Lesson 1: Foundations of Government
Basic Structure of:
GA’s Constitution
Concepts of:
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Citizens and their:
Rights and Responsibilities
Georgia’s:
Voting Requirements
Elections
Role of:
Political Parties
Explain
Describe
Nouns
Verbs

6. Unit 4: Government Lesson 2: Legislative Branch in GA
Nouns
Verbs

7. Lesson 2: The Legislative Branch in Georgia
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG2
The student will analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia state government.

8. “Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8CG2 Elements
a. 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.

9. Unit 4: Government Lesson 2: Legislative Branch in GA
Qualifications, Term, Election, and Duties of Members of:
General Assembly
Organization of the General Assembly with Emphasis on:
Leadership
Committee System
Legislative Process in GA:
Steps for a Bill to Become a Law
Explain
Describe
Trace
Nouns
Verbs

10. Unit 4: Government Lesson 3: Executive Branch in GA
Nouns
Verbs

11. Lesson 3: The Executive Branch in Georgia
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG3
The student will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state government.

12. “Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8CG3 Elements
a. 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.

13. Unit 4: Government Lesson 3: Executive Branch in GA
Qualifications, Term, Election, and Duties of:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Organization of the Executive Branch with Emphasis on:
Major Policy Areas of State Programs
Explain
Describe
Nouns
Verbs

14. Unit 4: Government Lesson 4: Judicial Branch in GA
Nouns
Verbs

15. Lesson 4: The Judicial Branch in Georgia
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG4
The student will analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government.

16. “Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8CG4 Elements
a. 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.

17. Unit 4: Government Lesson 4: Judicial Branch in GA
Structure and Procedures of:
Court System in GA
Trial Procedures
Appellate Procedures
Selection of Judges
Differences between:
Criminal Law
Civil Law
Criminal Justice Process of:
Adult Justice System
Ways to:
Avoid Trouble
Settle Disputes Peacefully
Explain
Describe
Nouns
Verbs

18. Unit 4: Government Lesson 5: Local Governments in GA
Nouns
Verbs

19. Lesson 5: Local Governments in Georgia
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG5
The student will analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.

20. “Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8CG5 Elements
a. 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.

21. Lesson 5: Local Governments in Georgia
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8E4
The student will identify revenue sources and services provided by state and local governments.

22. “Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8E4 Elements
a. 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.

23. Unit 4: Government Lesson 5: Local Governments in GA
Origins, Functions, Purposes and Differences of:
County Governments
City Governments
Forms of City Government:
Weak Mayor-Council
Strong Mayor-Council
Council-Manager
Functions of:
Special Purpose Governments
Sources, Distribution, and Spending of:
Revenue
Explain
Compare and Contrast
Describe
Trace, Explain, and Evaluate
Nouns
Verbs

24. Unit 4: Government Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice
Nouns
Verbs

25. Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG6
The student will explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders.

26. “Unpack” the elements by writing the verbs and nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8CG6 Elements
a. 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.

27. Unit 4: Government Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice
Difference Between and Consequences of:
Delinquent Behavior
Unruly Behavior
Rights when taken into custody of:
Juveniles
Jurisdictions, Terminology, and Steps in:
Juvenile Justice System
Behaviors that can Subject Juvenile Offenders to the Adult Criminal Process:
7 Delinquent Behaviors
Explain
Describe
Nouns
Verbs