This lesson provides an opportunity for students to explore how rules and laws are written and interpreted. Strategies for writing a good rule/law are emphasized and scenarios examined to determine what a rule/law really means.
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Civics Lessons
Grade Level: Grades K-5
No Animals at School
Mindwalk: The Law is Everywhere
Students learn the Importance and Reason for Rules and Laws
Citizen Me
Students learn that they are citizens at many levels of society: home, school, city, state, and nation! Students create a graphic organizer that diagrams rights and responsibilities at these different levels of citizenship. They also learn the sources of their rights and responsibilities at each level.
No Hats in Class
Students learn about the importance of rules and laws; what makes a good law
People in the Courtroom
In this lesson, students analyze a photograph of a trial. They identify the people in the courtroom, learn about the roles that they play in the legal process, and discuss how each is essential to ensuring access to justice.
Teaching How Citizens Influence Public Policy
Target Grades: 4-6
In this lesson, students use a school policy to define policy, understand that policies change, and recognize what and who influences policy making and changes.
The Invaders: A Constitutional Rights Activity
Introduces students to the rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.
The Need for Laws: Planet Lawless
This activity will help students understand the need for rules, the rulemaking process, and the role of the student / citizen. Students will be introduced to the relationship between rules and laws and how citizens can establish laws in their communities, much like rules in the classroom, to help them live together.
Rules, Rules, Rules
This activity helps students understand the need for rules, the rule-making process, and the role of the student / citizen. The classroom constitution provides a foundation for understanding and reinforcing the principles and ideals which provide the framework for American democracy.
The First Amendment
This activity creates an awareness of the five rights contained in the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. Students will learn about a poll of Americans and their knowledge of the First Amendment. The activity will allow students the opportunity to dissect the First Amendment and determine their opinions on which rights they value most and least.