CLAYTON COUNTY
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM GUIDE
1999
COURSE TITLE:
Government/Law
COURSE NUMBERS:
546090, 546093, 546096
TEXTBOOKS:
Holt: American Government
West: Street Law
Institute of Government (UGA): An Introduction to Law in
Georgia
Institute of Government (UGA): Local Government in Georgia
Institute of Government (UGA): State Government in Georgia
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Living in a free, democratic society is a privilege. In
order to maintain that society, it is imperative that
students be aware of their role in making it
successful. This United States Government and Law
course is designed to give the learner a working
knowledge of our government and legal system, as
well as an understanding of the implications of their
participation in that government.
Government and Law is a one semester course
required for graduation
CURRICULUM WRITERS:
PEGGY CALDWELL- Primary Writer
Georgia LRE Teacher of the Year
American Bar Association: LRE National Teacher of the
Year
Morrow High School
BECKY MCQUEEN - Additions and Revisions
Lovejoy High School
DIANE HODGINS - Additions and Revisions
Forest Park High School
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES
QUALITY CORE CURRICULUM
Holt: American Government
Teacher's Edition
Teacher Resource Materials (Ancillaries)
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION UNIT
POLITICAL GLOBES
CLAYTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM K-12
CONTENT
KINDERGARTEN:
FIRST:
PERSONAL HISTORY, CONCEPT OF UNITED STATES
(emphasis on Georgia and Hawaii)
FAMILY HISTORY, UNITED STATES, NORTH AMERICA
SECOND:
NEIGHBORHOODS, UNITED STATES, ASIA (emphasis on Japan),
AUSTRALIA
THIRD:
CLAYTON COUNTY (HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY/GOVERNMENT),
UNITED STATES, EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA
FOURTH:
GEORGIA (HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY/GOVERNMENT),
U.S., AND WORLD REGIONS, AFRICA, ANTARTICA
FIFTH:
UNITED STATES AND CANADA (HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY/
GOVERNMENT)
SIXTH:
WORLD HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY--MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA
EUROPE, RUSSIA AND FORMER SOVIER BLOC (Emphasis on
Middle East, Germany, and Russia)
SEVENTH:
WORLD HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY--NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH
AMERICA, ASIA, OCEANIA (emphasis on the United States, China,
and Japan)
EIGHTH:
GEORGIA HISTORY/GOVERNMENT (integrates United States
History with special emphasis up to 1870)
NINTH:
GEOGRAPHY (emphasis on Mexico, Central and South America,
West and South Africa, China and Japan)
Focus on Current Issues, World Leaders, Economic Ties with U.S.
TENTH:
WORLD HISTORY (emphasis on European History and World History
since 1945)
ELEVENTH:
UNITED STATES HISTORY (emphasis since 1870)
TWELFTH:
GOVERNMENT/LAW (emphasis on righs and responsibilities)
ECONOMICS (Economic Theory and Consumer Economics)
ELECTIVES:
PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY
CURRENT ISSUES
GOALS FOR K-12 CLAYTON COUNTY SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION
The Social Studies Curriculum should enable students to develop:
1.
Civic responsibility and active civic participation
2.
Perspectives on their own life experiences so they see themselves as individuals with
potential who can positively contribute to the larger human adventure in time and
place
3.
A critical understanding of the history, geography, economics, traditions, and values
of the United States as expressed in both their unity and diversity
4.
An understanding and appreciation of other peoples and their cultures through world
history and geography
5.
Critical and analytical thinking skills based on data and experience
These goals may be achieved through:
1. participatory and cooperative learning
2. integrated learning
3. parental and community involvement
4. enrichment through the use of a variety of primary resources including documents,
myths, legends, songs, diaries, letters, and speeches
5. the use of a variety of audio-visual materials to enhance lessons
6. the infusion of physical geography at all levels and in all subjects throughout the
social studies
7. the infusion of economics at all levels and in all subjects throughout the social studies
8. the use of individual and group-oriented computer programs in tutorial and simulation
formats
9. the use of a variety of student assignments including creative writing, research, and
oral histories
10. the use of the textbook as a place from which to launch various learning and
activities
Goals Adapted From:
Curriculum Task Froce of The National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools. Charting
A Course for the 21st Century. (November 1989) p.6.
GOVERNMENT AND LAW
COURSE OUTLINE
Unit I
Origins of Government
1.5
Weeks
Unit II
Principles of American Democracy
1.5
Weeks
Unit III
Political Participation
3.0
Weeks
Unit IV
The Legislative Branch: Congress
1.0
Week
Unit V
The Executive Branch: The Presidency
1.0
Week
Unit VI
The Judicial Branch: Federal Court System
1.0
Week
Unit VII
State and Local Government in Georgia
2.0
Weeks
Unit VIII
Crimes and Defenses
2.0
Weeks
Unit IX
The Criminal Justice Process
3.0
Weeks
The suggested time frame should be followed as closely as possible with teacher discretion. All
units are to be taught by the end of the semester. Time has been included for exams, tests, and
unscheduled school-wide interruptions.
GOVERNMENT AND LAW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unit I
Origins of Government
Shipwreck! Simulation
Types of Government Activity
Types of Government Chart
page 1
page 4
page 7
page 11
Unit II
Principles of American Democracy
Sample Citizenship Questions
Who Should Decide Activity
Who Does It Activity
Federalism: Division of Power Chart
Federalism Activity
Methods of Amending the Constitution Chart
Separation of Powers Chart
Amending the Constitution Activity
Federalism Activity
page 12
page 15
page 17
page 18
page 19
page 20
page 21
page 22
page 23
page 27
Unit III
Political Participation
Voter Registration Form
Presidential Campaign and Election Simulation
page 34
page 38
page 39
Unit IV
The Legislative Branch: Congress
Capitol Hill CD ROM Activity
Model United States Senate Simulation
Georgia's Congressional Districts Map
Activities on Congress
Making Legislation Simulation
House and Senate Chart
page 43
page 45
page 47
page 57
page 58
page 66
page 69
Unit V
The Executive Branch: The Presidency
Presidential Simulations
page 70
page 72
Unit VI
The Judicial Branch: The Federal Courts
Supreme Court Case Study Sheet
United States Supreme Court Simulation
Power Point Research Topics
United States Federal Court System Chart
page 74
page 76
page 77
page 81
page 82
Unit VII
State and Local Government
Georgia Constitution Activity
No More Sack Lunches Simulation
Sim City Computer Program
Overview of Clayton County
Clayton County Government Chart
Name That County Activity
Magistrate Court Jurisdiction
Which Court Activity
County Government
page 83
page 85
page 86
page 90
page 92
page 94
page 95
page 96
page 97
page 98
Board of Commissioners
Georgia State House Districts Map
House Metro Area
Georgia State Senatorial Districts Map
Airport Too Simulation
Sim City 2000 Computer Program
Local Government Scavenger Hunt
Privatization Activity
Clayton County Map
Georgia Federal Judicial Districts Map
page 99
page 101
page 102
page 103
page 104
page 113
page 114
page 117
page 120
page 121
Unit VIII
Crimes and Defenses
A Girl is Murdered
What's the Crime Activity
Name That Crime Activity
When Do You Become an Adult in Georgia Activity
No Vehicles in the Park Simulation
Southside School Rules Simulation
page 122
page 124
page 126
page 128
page 129
page 132
page 133
Unit IX
The Criminal Justice Process
Can You Make a Legal Search Activity
What Should You Do Officer Jones Activity
Search and Seizure: When Isn't a Warrant Necessary
Arraignment/Bail-Bond Hearing Simulation
Grand Jury Simulation
Steps in a Trial/Civil Suit
Mock Trial: State of Georgia v. Matthew West
page 134
page 136
page 138
page 139
page 141
page 145
page 150
page 155
Power Point Instructions
Useful Internet Sites
Paideia Seminar
page 166
page 169
page 170