1. Warm Up – Monday 10/24/16
Complete the chart to the best of your ability. LEAVE “TASKS” SECTION BLANK.
National Government
Georgia’s Government
Executive Branch
Job:
Leaders:
Tasks:
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch

2. Georgia’s Government

3. Standards:
SS8CG1
A: Explain the basic structure of Georgia’s constitution
B: Explain the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances

4. Structure of the US Constitution
Section
Explanation
Preamble
Introduction; states the purpose of the document
Article I
Legislative Branch (gives powers to Congress)
Article II
Executive Branch (gives power to President)
Article III
Judicial Branch (gives authority to judges)
Article IV
Explains the relationship of the states to one another and their relationship to the national government
Article V
Amending (changing) the Constitution
Article VI
Supremacy Clause (a statement explaining that the Constitution is the supreme law; no other law can be created that has power over the Constitution)
Article VII
Ratifying (approving) the Constitution
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to the Constitution (the Constitution would have never been passed without it)
Amendments
Additional changes made to the Constitution

5. Georgia’s Constitution Edition 10 – written in 1983
1777 – weak executive branch, strong legislative branch
1983 – Stronger executive branch, checks and balances
3 branches
11 Articles; 1st article is the Bill of Rights

6. Georgia’s Constitution Edition 10 – written in 1983
Separation of powers: each branch has separate, distinct powers that cannot be taken away by other branches
Checks and balances: each branch checks the power of the other two, making it so that no branch becomes too powerful

7. Check for Understanding
Georgia’s current state constitution consists of ______.
Twenty-two articles describing how county’s function
A declaration of sovereignty (power/independence)
A preamble, state bill of rights, and articles defining the state’s laws
Articles establishing a governor and a unicameral legislature

8. Check for Understanding
2. All of the following are sections included in the Georgia state constitution EXCEPT A. Amendments. B. Voting & Elections C. Voting and Elections. D. Court Case Summaries.

9. Check for Understanding
3. The General Assembly passes a law on immigration. However, the governor vetoes the law and the bill dies. This is an example of ________.
civil rights B. legislative authority
checks and balances D. separation of powers

10. Warm Up – Tuesday 10/25/16
The legislative branch ______ laws. In Georgia, this branch is called the _______________________________.
The executive branch __________ laws. The highest elected official in Georgia is the _____________, followed by the _____________________________________.
The judicial branch ___________ laws. The level of courts is as follows: Supreme court, ___________ court, and ____________ court.
Why do we have checks and balances for our branches of government?

11. Standards:
SS8CG1 c. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens d. Explain voting qualifications and elections in Georgia. e. Explain the role of political parties in government

12. Rights and Responsibilities
Those granted to you in the Bill of Rights
Ex: Freedom of speech, religion, bear arms, fair trial
Responsibilities
Voting
Paying taxes
Jury duty
Following the law
Draft
Participating in government

13. Voting Qualifications & Elections
18 years old
Citizen of the United States
Legal resident of Georgia and the county in which he/she registers
Elections are held the first Tuesday in November
They are run by the Secretary of State.

14. Check for Understanding
Malia writes a letter to the editor of her local newspaper, expressing her opinion on proposed legislation. Based on the rights guaranteed by the Georgia constitution, Malia is exercising her ____.
freedom of conscience
freedom of speech and of the press
right to assemble and petition
Right to keep and bear arms

15. Check for Understanding
Under Georgia’s constitution, all of the following are rights given to citizens EXCEPT
the right to bear arms
the right to a fair trial
the right to follow any religion
the right to a college education

16. Political Parties
Why do we need them? The role of political parties in the United States and Georgia is for groups of like- minded individuals who share common beliefs and ideas to work together in hopes of electing their members to political offices.

17. Modern Political Parties
Recruit and nominate candidates
Educate the electorate about campaign issues
Help candidates win elections
Monitor actions of office holders

18. Types of Elections Primary
When each political party chooses who they want to represent them in the general election
Ex:
Donald Trump wasn’t the only Republican who wanted to be president. In the PRIMARY election, he ran against other republicans like Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. The same goes for Hillary Clinton. Other Democrats also wanted to be president. Hillary’s main competition was a man named Bernie Sanders.

19. Types of Elections General Special
The election where the winners from the primaries compete against each other for the political office
Example: Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton. The winner of this general election will be President.
Special
An election used to present a special issues or special circumstances
Example: If an unexpected death or removal from office occurs, a new election will have to take place at an irregular time.

20. Check for Understanding
Republican candidate Orion Robinson and Democratic candidate Jabre’El Denson are running for Governor of Georgia. The winner of this election will be the governor for the next four years. This is an example of a… A. Special Election B. General Election C. Primary Election D. Irregular Election

21. Check for Understanding
Which of the following is NOT the job of a political party?
Educate the electorate (voters) on the campaign issues
Recruit and nominate potential candidates
Telling the candidate how to vote
Monitor the current office holders

22. Warm Up – Wednesday 10/26/16
What is the difference between “separation of powers” and “checks and balances?”
Why do political parties exist?

23. Today’s Agenda “I’m just a Bill”
Independently complete guided notes using pages
Choose someone on your team (from one of the four homerooms) to nominate for State Senator. Create a campaign poster and be sure to include:
This individual’s qualifications (use your notes)
What bills this person would write if elected
Colorful display or pictures on your poster

24. Check for Understanding
Which of the following requirements must Fred meet if he wants to serve in the General Assembly?
A. Must be at least 30 years old
B. Must be a citizen of Georgia for at least 15 years
C. Must already hold some kind of civil appointment
D. Must be a legal resident of the district he wishes to represent

25. Check for Understanding
Which of these lists the correct order of the legislative process for a bill to become a law in Georgia? A. proposal, floor action, committee action, conference, passage, action by governor B. proposal, committee action, floor action, conference, passage, action by governor C. proposal, action by governor, floor action, committee action, conference, passage D. proposal, action by governor, committee action, floor action, conference, passage