Georgia SS8CG2.b

Social Studies8th GradeGeorgia Studies

The Standard

Describe the purpose of the committee system within the Georgia General Assembly.

Georgia Standards of Excellence for Social Studies · Analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain why lawmakers send bills to smaller committees before the full House or Senate considers them. They describe how committees study bills, hear testimony, propose changes, and recommend what should happen next.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can explain that committees divide the workload and allow closer review of proposed laws. They can trace a bill from committee referral through review, amendment, and a recommendation to the full chamber.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think committees pass laws by themselves or that every introduced bill receives a full chamber vote. They may also confuse committees with political parties or assume committees cannot change bills.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A transportation bill has just been introduced. In three sentences, explain why it goes to a committee and what the committee may do with it.

Lesson moves

Give groups a mock bill and committee role cards, then have them question witnesses, propose one amendment, and vote on a recommendation.
Ask students to write: Why not send every bill straight to the full House or Senate for a vote?
Run a bill sorting relay where teams match proposals to committees such as Education, Transportation, or Health and Human Services.
Open a Georgia General Assembly bill page and trace its committee referral, committee action, and next step on a simple flowchart.

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