Government (GVT) Grades 6 - 8
Ohio Social Studies Standards
Grade 6 Theme:
Regions and People of the Eastern
Hemisphere
Grade 7 Theme:
World Studies from 750 B.C. to 1600 A.D.:
Ancient Greece to the First Global Age
Grade 8 Theme:
U.S. Studies from 1492 – 1877: Exploration
Through Reconstruction
Civic Participation and Skills
Different perspectives on a topic can be
obtained from a variety of historic and
contemporary sources. Sources can be
examined for accuracy.
Roles and Systems of Government
Governments can be categorized as
monarchies, theocracies, dictatorships or
democracies, but categories may overlap
and labels may not accurately represent
how governments function. The extent of
citizens’ liberties and responsibilities varies
according to limits on governmental
authority.
Civic Participation and Skills
The ability to understand individual and
group perspectives is essential to
analyzing historic and contemporary
issues.
Roles and Systems of Government
Greek democracy and the Roman Republic
were radical departures from monarchy
and theocracy, influencing the structure
and function of modern democratic
governments.
With the decline of feudalism, consolidation
of power resulted in the emergence of
nation states.
Civic Participation and Skills
Participation in social and civic groups can
lead to the attainment of individual and
public goals.
Informed citizens understand how media
and communication technology influence
public opinion.
Roles and Systems of Government
The U.S. Constitution established a federal
system of government, a representative
democracy and a framework with
separation of powers and checks and
balances.
The U.S. Constitution protects citizens’
rights by limiting the powers of
government.
Description
The above standards offer a focus for instruction each year and help ensure that students gain adequate exposure to social studies content standards. Students
advancing through the grades are expected to meet each year’s grade-specific standards and retain or further develop skills and understandings mastered in
preceding grades.
The complexity options of these standards assure that all students, including those with the significant cognitive disabilities, have access to these core standards
through appropriate instructional tasks. 21
Government (GVT) Grades 6 - 8
Extended Standards
Essence of the Standards:
Civic Responsibility and Skills
Individual and group opinions are communicated through a variety of mediums (e.g., verbally, media).
Roles and Systems of Government
Different types of governments (monarchies, dictatorships, democracies) can be described based on how much freedom and responsibility the citizens have and how
much power the government has.
Our form of government was influenced by governments of the past.
Our government and Constitution gives and limits power (checks and balances).
Most Complex Least Complex
Civic Participation and Skills
GVT.68.1a Understand that different
sources can have different perspectives on
an issue (e.g., media sources, historical vs.
contemporary, individual vs. group).
GVT.68.1b Understand that differences of
opinion on an issue can exist between and
within individuals and groups.
GVT.68.1c Express a personal opinion on
an issue.
Roles and Systems of Government
GVT.68.2a Compare and contrast the traits
of monarchs and elected leaders.
GVT.68.3a Explain ways the different
people/groups in government can limit each
other’s powers (i.e., checks and balances).
GVT.68.2b Identify traits of monarchs and
elected leaders where they would rule.
GVT.68.3b Identify a power of each branch
of government (e.g., Congress makes laws,
courts interpret laws)
GVT.68.2c Identify the president and
kings/queens as political leaders.
GVT.68.3c Identify the three branches of
government or the people who represent
them.
*http://depts.alverno.edu/dgp/GEC/Types%20of%20Government.html
*http://phrontistery.info/govern.html
*http://www.ushistory.org/gov/1b.asp
*http://www.co-intelligence.org/CIPol_directdemocracy.html
*https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Representative_de…
*https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Absolute_monarchy…
*http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Constitutional_mon…
*http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/theocracy
*http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dictatorship
*http://www.bownet.org/gaubin/Types%20of%20Government%20Project.pdf
*http://www.brighthubeducation.com/middle-school-social-studies-lessons/…
*http://www.hardin.k12.ky.us/jhhs/jhhslmc/governmentlesson.htm