“Unpacking the Standards”:
Government
8th Grade Social Studies
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 1: Foundations of Government
Verbs
Nouns
Lesson 1: Foundations of
Government
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG1
The student will describe the role of
citizens under Georgia’s
constitution.
“Unpack” the elements by
writing the verbs and
nouns on your “T” Chart
SS8CG2 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.
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 1: Foundations of Government
Verbs
• Explain
• Explain
• Describe
• Explain
• Explain
Nouns
•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
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 2: Legislative Branch in GA
Verbs
Nouns
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.
“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.
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 2: Legislative Branch in GA
Verbs
Nouns
• Explain
•Qualifications, Term, Election,
and Duties of Members of:
1. General Assembly
• Describe
•Organization of the General
Assembly with Emphasis on:
2. Leadership
3. Committee System
• Trace
•Legislative Process in GA:
4. Steps for a Bill to Become
a Law
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 3: Executive Branch in GA
Verbs
Nouns
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.
“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.
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 3: Executive Branch in GA
Verbs
Nouns
• Explain
•Qualifications, Term, Election,
and Duties of:
1. Governor
2. Lieutenant Governor
• Describe
•Organization of the Executive
Branch with Emphasis on:
3. Major Policy Areas of
State Programs
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 4: Judicial Branch in GA
Verbs
Nouns
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.
“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.
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 4: Judicial Branch in GA
Verbs
• Explain
• Explain
• Describe
• Describe
Nouns
•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
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 5: Local Governments in GA
Verbs
Nouns
Lesson 5: Local
Governments in Georgia
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG5
The student will analyze the role of
local governments in the state of
Georgia.
“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 mayorcouncil, the strong mayor-council, and the
council-manager forms of city government.
c. Describe the functions of special-purpose
governments.
Lesson 5: Local
Governments in Georgia
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8E4
The student will identify revenue
sources and services provided by
state and local governments.
“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.
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 5: Local Governments in GA
Verbs
• Explain
• Compare and Contrast
• Describe
• Trace, Explain, and Evaluate
Nouns
•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
Unit 8: Government
Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice
Verbs
Nouns
Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice
Civics/Gov. Standard – SS8CG6
The student will explain how the
Georgia court system treats juvenile
offenders.
“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.
Government
Lesson 6: Juvenile Justice
Verbs
• Explain
• Describe
• Describe
• Explain
Nouns
•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