Rules and Laws

At a glance

• Focus question 1: Why do we need rules and laws?
• Focus question 2: What is a rule and what is a law?
• Focus question 3: Why should laws apply equally and be public?
• Focus question 4: What are Aboriginal laws?
• Focus question 5: How are laws made in Australia?
• Focus question 6: What makes a good law?

Focus question 1: Why do we need rules and laws?

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 2: What is a rule and what is a law?

Content	Activities (Assessment activities are in bold italics.)	Preparation
comparing rules and laws road laws   consequences of breaking laws	design posters   complete a CD ROM interactive prepare slogans   form comparisons (PMIs) conduct informal interviews make spoken presentations interpret visuals	whole class: Handout 4 groups: Handouts 1, 2, 3 Stories of Democracy CD ROM poster paper

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 3: Why should laws apply equally and be public?

Content	Activities (Assessment activities are in bold italics.)	Preparation
public law   equality   Ancient Roman Law (Twelve Tables) good laws	participate in a simulation game interpret diagrams   use checklists   evaluate laws	three soccer balls, whistle groups: Handout 5 (cut up) OHTs: Handouts 6, 7, 9 whole class: Handouts 8, 10 Stories of Democracy CD ROM

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 4: What are Aboriginal laws?

Content	Activities (Assessment activities are in bold italics.)	Preparation
Dreaming stories   decision-making	interpret narratives   participate in a simulation game retell stories form consensus prepare action plans	groups: Handouts 11, 12 OHT: Handout 13   a scratchpad made from paper printed on one side only

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 5: How are laws made in Australia?

Content	Activities (Assessment activities are in bold italics.)	Preparation
parliamentary law law-making	interpret diagrams create laws conduct an informal class parliament	OHT: Handout 14

Teaching and learning activities

Focus question 6: What makes a good law?

Content	Activities (Assessment activities are in bold italics.)	Preparation
criteria for good laws future study	develop checklists   conduct a role-play prepare a campaign	whole class: Handout 15 poster paper

Teaching and learning activities