Define the rule of law and recognize its influence on the development of legal, political and governmental systems in the United States.
Clarifications
Clarification 1: Students will compare and contrast the characteristics of a society that operates under the rule of law and one that does not.
Clarification 2: Students will assess the importance of the rule of law in protecting citizens from arbitrary and abusive uses of government power.
Clarification 3: Students will analyze the meaning and importance of due process in the United States legal system.
Clarification 4: Students will evaluate the impact of the rule of law on governmental officials and institutions (e.g., accountability to the law, consistent application and enforcement of the law, decisions based on the law, fair procedures, transparency of institutions).
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade: 7
Strand: Civics and Government
Date Adopted or Revised: 05/24
Status: State Board Approved
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| Course Number1111 |
Course Title222 |
| 2106010: | M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106015: | M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106016: | M/J Civics & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106020: | M/J Civics, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106025: | M/J Civics, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106026: | M/J Civics, Advanced & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106030: | M/J Law Studies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 7821023: | Access M/J Civics and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 7821021: | Access M/J Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106029: | M/J Civics and Digital Technologies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
| 2100045: | M/J United States History & Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current)) |
Related Access Points
| Access Point Number |
Access Point Title |
| SS.7.CG.1.AP.11 | Identify the influence of rule of law on the development of legal, political, and governmental systems in the United States. |
Related Resources
Lesson Plans
| Name |
Description |
| Exploring Rule of Law | In this lesson plan, students will learn to define the rule of law and explore its key principles while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt. |
| America’s Founding Principles | In this lesson plan, students will trace the principles underlying America’s founding ideas on laws and government while completing guided notes that accompany a teacher-presented slideshow. Students will then show what they know by completing and submitting a short written response to a provided prompt. |
| Rule of Law in the United States of America | In this lesson plan students will identify characteristics of rule of law and decide if rule of law is present or lacking in certain situations and to trace the development of the concept of rule of law in different historical settings. |
| Founding Principles | In this lesson plan, students will learn about the governing principles that can be traced through America’s founding documents. Students will work independently or with a shoulder partner to demonstrate an understanding of the founding principles by completing a vocabulary Card Sort activity and a Primary Source Matching activity. There are six multiple choice questions on the Primary Source Matching activity to assess student understanding. |
| Quiz Game! Limited Government | Students will be engaged in a review game as they take notes about how the U.S. Constitution limits the powers of government through separation of powers, checks and balances, individual rights, rule of law and due process of law. Students will fill in a graphic organizer to assist them in keeping their notetaking organized. |
Original Student Tutorials
| Name |
Description |
| All About Impeachment: Part 2 | In Part 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn about the impeachment process detailed in the U.S. Constitution, including what it is, who can be impeached, why someone would be impeached, and some famous examples of impeachment in action.
This is Part 2 in a two-part series. Click HERE to open Part 1.
|
| All About Impeachment: Part 1 | In Part 1 of this interactive tutorial series, learn about the impeachment process detailed in the U.S. Constitution, including what it is, who can be impeached, why someone would be impeached, and a bit about the process.
This is Part 1 in a two-part series. Click HERE to open Part 2.
|
| Understanding Rule of Law | Learn about one of the most important principles in American democracy: rule of law. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore this important concept and learn about its application to a famous Supreme Court decision: United States v. Nixon. |
Teaching Idea
| Name |
Description |
| Grade 7 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1 | This Grade 7 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 1 at this grade level. |
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
| Name |
Description |
| All About Impeachment: Part 2: | In Part 2 of this interactive tutorial series, learn about the impeachment process detailed in the U.S. Constitution, including what it is, who can be impeached, why someone would be impeached, and some famous examples of impeachment in action.
This is Part 2 in a two-part series. Click HERE to open Part 1.
|
| All About Impeachment: Part 1: | In Part 1 of this interactive tutorial series, learn about the impeachment process detailed in the U.S. Constitution, including what it is, who can be impeached, why someone would be impeached, and a bit about the process.
This is Part 1 in a two-part series. Click HERE to open Part 2.
|
| Understanding Rule of Law: | Learn about one of the most important principles in American democracy: rule of law. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore this important concept and learn about its application to a famous Supreme Court decision: United States v. Nixon. |
Parent Resources
Teaching Idea
| Name |
Description |
| Grade 7 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1: | This Grade 7 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 1 at this grade level. |
