SS.8.CG.1.3

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Explain the importance of the rule of law in the United States’ constitutional republic.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Students will discuss the impact of the rule of law on U.S. citizens and government.

Clarification 2: Students will recognize how the rule of law influences a society.

Clarification 3: Students will identify how the rule of law protects citizens from arbitrary and abusive government.

Clarification 4: Students will evaluate the impact of the rule of law on governmental officials and institutions (e.g., accountability to the law, fair procedures, decisions based on the law, consistent application and enforcement of the law, transparency of institutions).

General Information
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade: 8
Strand: Civics and Government
Standard: Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of government, law and the American political system.
Date Adopted or Revised: 05/24
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2100010: M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2100015: M/J United States History & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2100020: M/J United States History Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2100025: M/J United States History Advanced & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7821026: Access M/J United States History and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821025: Access M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 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

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SS.8.CG.1.AP.3: Identify the importance of the rule of law in the United States’ constitutional republic.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

It Can't Happen Here!:

Using historical examples, analyze what can happen when an unchecked government erodes freedoms and liberties and, in extreme cases, persecutes its citizens.

Type: Lesson Plan

Copyright Laws and Citizenship Part 1:

In this lesson 1 of 3 on copyright laws and citizenship, students will research the laws that govern the protection of intellectual property and relate it to plagiarism and good citizenship.

Type: Lesson Plan

Martian Bill of Rights: Part 1:

Students will predict the challenges for humans living on Mars in the future by considering the differences between Mars and Earth. In light of these potential challenges, students will consider how the rule of law could influence a new Martian society founded under the principles of the U.S. constitutional republic in this integrated lesson plan. This lesson is Part 1 of 2.

Type: Lesson Plan

Martian Bill of Rights: Part 2:

Students will use their understanding of the habitability challenges on Mars (developed during Part 1) to create a Martian Bill of Rights that will guarantee civil rights and liberties of future Martian citizens in this integrated lesson plan.  This lesson is Part 2 of 2.

Type: Lesson Plan

No One is Above the Law!:

In this lesson plan, students will use primary sources to examine the impeachment of Andrew Johnson and conclude how presidential impeachment relates to the rule of law.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Rule of Law in Conversation:

In this lesson plan, students will explore the importance of the rule of law in the United States’ constitutional republic. Students will discuss the impact of the rule of law on U.S. citizens, government, and institutions using specialized vocabulary in a fishbowl activity.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

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.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Teaching Idea

Grade 8 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1:

This Grade 8 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.

Type: Teaching Idea

Video/Audio/Animation

Portraits in Patriotism - Lily Tang Williams: Secondary School:

Lily Tang Williams was born in communist China during Mao Zedong’s rule. She witnessed Mao’s Cultural Revolution first hand as she was growing up. She was a member of the Young Pioneers and the Red Guard, but yearned to come to the United States to learn about and live in a democracy. In 1988, she was able to come to the United States for schooling and was granted asylum status.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Original Student Tutorials Social Studies - Civics - Grades 6-8

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.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

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.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Teaching Idea

Grade 8 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1:

This Grade 8 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.

Type: Teaching Idea