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Lesson 1 of 2
  • All years

How does the rule of law help people live together in society?

I can explain what the rule of law is and how it helps people live fairly and safely together in society.

Lesson 1 of 2
New
New
  • All years

How does the rule of law help people live together in society?

I can explain what the rule of law is and how it helps people live fairly and safely together in society.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The rule of law means that everyone, including people in power, must follow the law.
  2. Laws explain what behaviour is fair and acceptable, helping people understand their rights and responsibilities.
  3. Laws help stop problems before they happen and help people live and work together.
  4. People can get help if they have a problem or if a law is broken.

Keywords

  • Laws - important rules, usually made by Parliament

  • Rule of law - everyone must follow the same laws, including those in power, it ensures fairness and justice for all

Common misconception

The rule of law only matters when something goes wrong.

The rule of law helps people behave fairly every day and helps prevent problems before they start.


To help you plan your all years rule of law lesson on: How does the rule of law help people live together in society?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use everyday examples to show that laws help everyone behave fairly and stay safe, not just punish people when something goes wrong.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
A special instruction that tells what we are and are not allowed to do in different places is called a .

Correct Answer: rule

Q2.
What is a law?

a reward we get for being good
Correct answer: an important legal rule we must follow
a choice to do whatever we want

Q3.
Which of these is a rule?

Correct answer: Put your hands up to answer a question.
Eat ice cream every day.
Helicopters can fly.
Shoes go on your feet.

Q4.
Fill the gap to complete the statement. Having rules helps things be more organised. For example, when lots of people want to have a go at something, they know whose it is next.

Correct Answer: turn

Q5.
Match the rule or law to the place you might find it.

Correct Answer:Wear a helmet.,on a bike or scooter

on a bike or scooter

Correct Answer:Year 5 gets the footballs on Fridays.,school

school

Correct Answer:Brush your teeth before bed.,home

home

Correct Answer:You must be taller than this to ride.,theme park

theme park

Q6.
Rearrange these words to make a sentence about who could help if rules are broken.

1 - If a
2 - rule
3 - is broken,
4 - a
5 - trusted adult
6 - can
7 - help.

Assessment exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Finish the sentence. The rule of means that everyone, including people in charge, must follow the law.

Correct Answer: law

Q2.
Fill in the missing word to complete the sentence. The document, Magna , helped start the idea that everyone must follow the law, no matter who you are.

Correct Answer: Carta

Q3.
Which of these is an example of people following the rule of law?

choosing rules only for friends
ignoring laws when convenient
Correct answer: all drivers stop at red lights

Q4.
Which of these is a right that laws protect?

Correct answer: being treated fairly
choosing which game you want to play whenever you want
only adults having safety rules

Q5.
Match the examples to why they are laws.

Correct Answer:using headlights on cars at night,keeps people safe

keeps people safe

Correct Answer:access for wheelchair users,makes sure people are treated fairly

makes sure people are treated fairly

Correct Answer:fire escape plan,stops problems before they happen

stops problems before they happen

Q6.
Put these in order of what might happen when someone breaks a law.

1 - The law is broken.
2 - A trusted adult or the police helps.
3 - The person may face consequences.
4 - The law protects everyone’s rights.