Free 7th Grade Rule Of Law Lesson Plan

Topic: The Rule of Law in America

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand the concept of the rule of law and the impact that it had on the colonists' views of government.

Materials

• Copies of the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, and Thomas Paine's Common Sense
• Handouts with quotes from each document
• Colored pencils or markers

Warm-up

• Ask students what they know about the rule of law. Write their responses on the board.
• Ask students if they can provide an example of an issue that is currently being debated in America that relates to the rule of law.

Direct Instruction

• Begin by introducing the concept of the rule of law. Explain that this principle holds that all people are subject to and governed by law, and that the law must be fair, equal, and apply to everyone equally.
• Next, introduce the historical documents that you will be analyzing. Provide brief summaries of each document, and explain the historical context in which it was written.
• Have students work in small groups to analyze the impact that each document has on colonists' views of government. Encourage them to consider the wording of the documents, as well as the historical context in which they were written.
• As a class, discuss the groups' findings and draw conclusions about how the documents impacted colonists' views of government.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with one of the historical documents.
• Have the groups work together to analyze the document and identify examples of how it impacts colonists' views of government. Encourage them to consider the wording of the document, as well as the historical context in which it was written.
• Have each group present their findings to the class and discuss as a whole group.
• As a class, discuss the groups' findings and draw conclusions about how the document impacts colonists' views of government.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one of the historical documents and write a brief essay analyzing how it impacts colonists' views of government. Encourage them to consider the wording of the document, as well as the historical context in which it was written.

Closure

• As a class, review the key concepts discussed in the lesson, including the definition of the rule of law, the importance of checks and balances, and the influence of historical documents on colonists' views of government.

Assessment

• Assess students' understanding of the lesson material through a written quiz or test that includes multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions on the topics covered in the lesson. Alternatively, use the project-based assignment as the assessment.