Georgia SS8CG2.d

Social Studies8th GradeGeorgia Studies

The Standard

Describe how state government is funded and how spending decisions are made.

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 identify major state revenue sources, including income taxes, sales taxes, fees, lottery proceeds, and federal grants. They explain how the governor proposes a budget, legislators approve appropriations, and the governor signs or vetoes spending items.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can trace public money from a revenue source to a state service. They can explain who makes each budget decision and why spending must stay within available revenue.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the federal government controls Georgia's budget or that lottery proceeds pay for most public education. They may also confuse the governor's proposal with the final budget approved by legislators.
How to Assess It: Give students three revenue sources and three spending areas. Ask them to match each source to a possible use and explain the governor's and legislature's roles in one sentence.

Lesson moves

Give groups $100 in play money and agency cards, then have them build a balanced Georgia budget and explain three choices.
Ask students to write: Should Georgia spend more on schools, roads, or health care, and which revenue source should pay?
Run a card sort matching income tax, sales tax, fees, lottery funds, and federal grants to examples and limits.
Use a current Georgia budget chart to identify the largest spending area and connect it to one local public service.

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