Rules and laws

Getting started

• Revise what makes rules and laws fair, for example they need to be:
  • • clear
    • the same for everyone
    • in place for a good reason.
• Discuss with students the differences between rules and laws:
  • • Rules apply to members of groups while laws apply to everyone.
    • Laws are enforced by the police and the courts. For example, you can get in trouble for talking in the library (rule), but you can get a fine if you do not wear your seatbelt (law).
    • Laws are made by the government while rules are made by people in authority such as parents, teachers or coaches.

Activity (up to 30 minutes)

1. Distribute the Sorting rules and laws worksheet and ask students to cut out the rules, laws and headings into strips.
2. Working in pairs or small groups, ask students to sort the examples into 3 columns ‘rules’ ‘laws’ and ‘unsure’. 
3. Once students have finished, sort the examples as a whole class by asking students to share their answers. Discuss the examples students are unsure about and allocate them to the ‘rule’ or the ‘law’ column. 
4. Once the rules and laws are checked as a class, ask the students to glue the table into their books.

Discussion questions

• Why do you think it is important that we have rules and laws?
• How can we make sure that rules and laws are clear and fair?

Extension

Distribute the Proposal for a new law worksheet and ask students to think of a new law that would improve life in Australia. Remind students to think carefully about their idea for a new law because laws apply to everyone, and there would be a legal consequence for breaking it.

Afterwards, students can share their new law with the class.

• Parliament at work
• Bills and laws
• Years 3+4