The guide outlines concepts central to the process of governance at local, state, and national levels. It is intended for use by junior high school social studies teachers as they develop and implement educational programs to help students understand governmental structure and functions and to develop skills in evaluating government strategies and activities. The document is presented in seven chapters. Chapter I explains how to use the guide, defines vocabulary, and identifies major objectives. Remaining chapters explore political institutions, governmental power and limitations, citizen rights and responsibilities, values and beliefs, citizen participation in government, and decision making. Students are involved in activities such as role playing, group discussion, constructing charts and graphs, memorizing sections of government documents, doing research projects on governmental institutions, creating bulletin boards, analyzing political cartoons, and taking multiple-choice and attitude tests. After participating in these activities, students should be able to identify main functions of government, understand the governmental power structure, illustrate individual rights and responsibilities in a democracy, define values of mainstream American society, recognize the need for an informed and involved citizenry, and explain decision-making responsibilities of governmental representatives. (DB)