8th Grade Social Studies - Civics & Government Perspectives

Visit Internet 4 Classrooms for other great 8th grade links.

Basic Concepts

Explore the development of the United States' political system from the American Revolution through Civil War and Reconstruction
Recognize the Bill of Rights and the protection it provides to individual citizens

Bill of Rights - an article from Encarta that outlines the origin and interpretation of the Bill of Rights as well as a comparison to laws in other countries.

With Liberty and Justice for All - delves into early documents protecting right in England and discusses how these affected our Bill of Rights; questions at the end of each section.

Bill of Rights - an article from Grolier on the Bill of Rights with several links.

Explaining the Bill of Rights - explanation of the origin and meaning of the Bill of Rights; from Scholastic.

Demonstrate an appreciation for the rights and opinions of others
Understand the concept of the city-state as an early form of government

Purposes of Government

Review the role of government in regulating the rights of citizenship

Citizenship - an article from Encyclopedia Americana that explains citizenship.

Democratic Processes/Structures

Identify the three branches of the federal government and explain how they interact

Understanding the Federal Courts - information on the U.S. Federal Court System.

The Federal Judicial Branch - an information site on Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government

Introducing......THOMAS! - the definitive site on the web for anything having to do with the legislative branch of the government; contains several links; from the Library of Congress.

United States Government - an article from Encarta that discuss the U.S. Government.

FirstGov - the U.S. Government's official web portal.

Understanding the Federal Courts - 47 printable pages that thoroughly explains federal courts - a definite "one-stop shopping" site!

Distinguish differences between representative democracy and other forms of government

Direct vs. Representative Democracy - a resourceful comparison teacher would find beneficial in understanding the differences between direct and representative democracy.

An Introduction to Representative Democracy - lesson plan on representative democracy from Congress Link; includes printables.

Accurate Representations in Representative Democracy - a comparison of participatory democracy, representative democracy, and democratic oligarchy.

Trust for Representative Democracy - from National Conference of State Legislatures; designed around young people.

Understand the need to be informed on current issues to select effective leaders

Process/Investigation

Understand the United States Constitution in both principle and practice

The U.S. Constitution Online - an explanation as well as the Constitution itself is included in this site.

Constitution Test - an excerpt from the 1965 Alabama Literacy Test; students learn if they would have been qualified to vote; also includes a section for teachers.

Observing Constitution Day - several excellent activities on the day the Constitution was signed; from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

Evaluate the necessity of establishing and enforcing the rule of law
Explore the role of government in balancing the rights of individuals versus the common good

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