Content Area: Social Studies

 

Index: 6.2B Grade 8 CPI 2

 

Standard: 6.2 - Civics

 

Strand: B - American Values and Principles

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 2 -  The student will describe representative government and explain how it works to protect the majority and the minority.

 

Grade: 8

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        Begin the study of the structure and function of state and local governments by developing charts with the class that show the structure of state government (including the three branches). In small groups, students investigate the structures of the three branches and develop organizational charts. These studies should include a more detailed study of the executive branch examining the office of the president (national) and the governor (state), and their respective cabinets and departments. What do the various departments do in Washington and Trenton? Students write to various government offices to request descriptive materials. They also use the Internet to search the relevant Web sites. Each department of the federal and state governments has its own Web page. Students summarize their findings and develop tables of organization for both the national and state executive branches. The student groups then study the court system at state and local levels with the same sequence of activities. Finally, the groups study the legislative branches— the state Assembly and the local Council—to determine similarities and differences. This would be an ideal time for a class trip to observe City Council from the public chamber. Usually no advance permission is required for such a visit. However, it would be advisable to do some advance planning. Find out when Council meets in public session, and contact the relevant persons for more details. The township municipal office will be helpful in these matters.