Two social studies units highlight the origins and structure of government and the legislative activities of the United States government in particular. The units are part of a program designed to help 12th grade and adult education social studies teachers develop bilingual curriculum materials (English and Spanish languages) related to systems of government. The first unit, "An Idea Becomes a Law," describes how laws are passed in a democracy, contrasts this process with the creation of laws in a dictatorship, and cites the variety of individuals involved in a bill's passage. The second unit, "The State, Forms of Government, and Political Systems," explores the origins of government and provides examples of different types of government. For each unit, information is presented on background, primary idea, behavioral objectives, entry skills, and notes to the students about what they can expect to do and learn from working on the unit. Also presented for each unit are glossaries of political terms, tests, and answer keys. Students are involved in reading background material, answering essay and brief-answer questions in writing, filling in worksheets, taking true and false tests, and completing matching exercises. All materials are presented in both English and Spanish. (DB)