US Government Assignment Guide and Key Points
Chapter 9 "The 50 States"
Lesson 1 "The United States Grows from 13 to 50 States"
Turn to page168-169 look at the picture on those pages read about it and the short introduction to Chapter 9
Scan Pages 170-171; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.
Scan Pages 170-171 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.
Read Pages 170-171 (take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the answers to the questions on page 171? (See Key Points below for help)
Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Key Points below for help)
Take the quiz on Lesson 1 "The United States Grows from 13 to 50 States" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.
Lesson 1 Key Points
Vocabulary Terms
Commonwealth - a political unit that rules itself, but freely chooses to be part of a country.
Enabling act - legislation that makes a territory write a state constitution to prepare for statehood.
Statehood - the condition of being a state; having all the rights and benefits of belonging to the United States of America
Section Review Answers
Did you learn these Objectives?
Are you able to explain how states are admitted to the United States?
Can you explain how a territory becomes a state?
Are you able to list some benefits of being a territory?
Lesson 2 "State Constitutions"
Scan Pages 172-175; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.
Scan Pages 172-175 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.
Read Pages 172-174 (take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the answers to the questions on page 175? (See Key Points below for help)
Take the quiz on Lesson 2 "State Constitutions" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 2 Key Points
Charter - a document that states a group's purpose and plan.
Reserved - keep back for a special reason; for example, the states kept some power for themselves.
Parish - name for local government in Louisiana.
Borough - name for local government in Alaska
Can you explain the use of English charters?
Are you able to name the parts of most state constitutions?
Can you give examples of shared and reserved powers?
Are you able to tell how state laws affect people's lives?
Can you name the divisions of local government?
Lesson 3 "State Budgets"
Scan Pages 176-177; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.
Scan Pages 176-177 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.
Read Pages 176-177 (take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the answers to the questions on page 177? (See Key Points below for help)
Take the quiz on Lesson 3 "State Budgets" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 3 Key Points
Funds - sums of money set aside for a special purpose.
Percent - One part per hundred.
Fee - money paid for a service
Can you explain why states need large amounts of money?
Are you able to list sources of state income and explain the following: personal income tax, sales tax, and federal funds?
Can you give examples of other sources of state income, such as fees or tolls?
Lesson 4 "State Expenses"
Scan Pages 178-180; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.
Scan Pages 178-180 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.
Read Pages 178-179 (take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the answers to the questions on page 180? (See Key Points below for help)
Take the quiz on Lesson 4 "State Expenses" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 4 Key Points
Utilities - Companies that provide gas, telephones, electricity, or water to a community.
Are you able to name a state's larges expense?
Can you name other major expenses of a state?
Can you name and describe the expenses of running a state government?
Lesson 5 "The Legislative Branch of State Government"
Scan Pages 181-183; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.
Scan Pages 181-183 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.
Read Pages 181-183(take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the answers to the questions on page 183? (See Key Points below for help)
Take the quiz on Lesson 5 "The Legislative Branch of State Government" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 5 Key Points
Preside - to act as leader or official
Override - to reject or not accept
Can you list the names for state legislatures and how many parts belong to a state legislature.
Are you able to explain how often most state legislatures meet and how business is conducted?
Can you explain how a bill becomes a state law?
Are you able to explain the governor's power to veto and the legislature's power to override a veto?
Lesson 6 "The Executive Branch of State Government"
Scan Pages 184-187; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.
Scan Pages 184-187 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.
Scan for an read the short articles and questions in the olive/orange/brown/blue boxes that you find on Pages 184-187.
Read Pages 184-186 (take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the answers to the questions on page 187? (See Key Points below for help)
Take the quiz on Lesson 6 "The Executive Branch of State Government" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 6 Key Points
Riot - a public violent disturbance by a group of people.
Pardon - to release or excuse someone from jail or prison.
welfare - programs set up to improve the lives of citizens who need special assistance.
Rehabilitation - to help build or restore a person's physical or mental health and abilities.
Can you describe how the executive branch of state government works?
Are you able to list the powers and duties of a governor.
Can you describe the election process of a governor and other key state officials.
Can you name the important departments and agencies within a state?
Lesson 7 "The Judicial Branch of State Government"
Scan Pages 188-191; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.
Scan Pages 188-190 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.
Scan for an read the short articles and questions in the olive/orange/brown/blue boxes that you find on Pages 188-190.
Read Pages 188-190 (take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the answers to the questions on page 191? (See Key Points below for help)
Take the quiz on Lesson 7"The Judicial Branch of State Government" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 7 Key Points
disorderly conduct - disturbing public peace
Magistrate - a local law official similar to a justice of the peace.
Municipal court - a court that hears civil cases, minor criminal offenses, and probate
Juvenile court - a court that hears cases of young people.
Domestic relations court - court that hears home and family disputes.
Small claims court - a court that hears cases about all sums of money.
Can you explain the organization and function of the judicial branch of state governments?
Are you able to name and describe the lower state courts and general trial courts?
Can you explain how state supreme courts make decisions and how judges are selected?
Preparing for Chapter 9 Test
Turn to Page 192 and read the article "Governor of California's Inaugural Address".
Turn to Page 193 and read the Chapter 9 summary.
On page 194-195 you will find the Chapter 9 review, complete the review.
Check your answers with those in the Key Points.
Take the Chapter 9 Test "The 50 States"
Review the answers then print the results for your records.
Chapter 9 Review answers