Rule of law
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why rules and laws are important and describe what the rule of law means.
Key learning points
- Laws keep people safe and protect everyone’s rights.
- Laws apply equally to all members of society.
- Police enforce laws but do not make them.
- Without rules, people may get hurt or feel unsafe.
- Rule of law is a fundamental British value; it means that no one is above the law.
Keywords
Rules - expectations to follow that can keep us safe
Laws - important rules made by the government that everyone in the country must follow
Rule of law - the idea that everyone, including leaders, must follow the same rules and laws to keep things fair
Citizen - someone who belongs to a community and helps to look after it
Common misconception
The police make the laws.
The police enforce the law.
Teacher tip
You could edit the slides to include a photograph and name of the local Member of Parliament (MP) for your educational setting.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definitions.
when people vote to choose leaders who make laws for everyone
to choose someone or something in an election
something we think is important and should guide how we behave
Q2.Maya says "Democracy is great because everyone always gets what they want!" Is Maya right?
Q3.What should you think if your choice doesn't win in a class vote?
Q4.Is democracy used in every country around the world?
Q5.Who should follow the rules in your classroom?
Q6.Rules help us know the way to behave around other people.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definitions.
expectations to follow that can keep us safe
important rules made by the government that everyone must follow
one of the British fundamental values
Q2.What happens in a classroom without any rules?
Q3.Why do some families have rules about bedtime and screen time?
Q4.Match each reason why we might need rules with what that reason helps us achieve.
rules protect us from getting hurt
everyone follows the same guidelines
instructions help us behave well
clear expectations prevent fights
Q5.Who makes the laws in the UK?
Q6.Why is it important that laws apply equally to everyone, including monarchs and prime ministers?
To help you plan your 3 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Rule of law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Rule of law, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Communities: What does it mean to be British? unit, dive into the full primary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.