Lesson #2: The Purposes, Types,

and Sources of Laws and Rules

Activity 2.1: Why We Need Laws

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Sometimes it seems like we have too many laws, but each law has its own specific purpose.

The Pacific Railroad Acts, pictured above, promoted construction

of the transcontinental railroad in the United States in the 1860’s.

In this lesson, students will begin to explore the reasons that laws are necessary. Even though it is tempting to think that life would be easier if there were no rules to follow, that is not the case. Laws are important because they protect people’s rights, maintain order, and help people know what to expect of one another. Although the sheer number of laws can be overwhelming, it is important to remember that each one has a specific purpose.

Social Studies Benchmark:

9.1.4.7.1: Describe the purposes, types, and sources of laws and rules. For example: Types of laws—civil, criminal and juvenile. Sources of laws and rules—case, statutory, administrative, and executive.

Reading Benchmarks:

9.12.1.1: Cite specific textual visual or physical evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.

9.12.2.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.

9.12.4.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, geographic, historical, or economic aspects of history/social studies.

9.12.8.8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claims.

Learning Target:

I can describe the purposes, types, and sources of laws and rules.

• I can explain the main reasons laws are necessary.
• I can explain why I would prefer to live with laws, when compared to living without laws.
• I can identify the purpose of currently pending legislation.

Essential Question:

What are the purposes and sources of laws and rules? What are the different types of law?

• What are the main reasons that laws are necessary?
• Why would I prefer to live with laws, when compared to living without laws?
• What is the purpose of specific pieces of pending legislation?

To complete Activity 2.1 please follow the steps below:

Complete the tasks listed below and submit your responses by uploading a file to the “Add Submission” box. Respond to the critical thinking questions and complete the charts. Please submit your responses to each question using the text submission box located at the bottom of this moodle page. Please answer with proper response construction and make sure to include your name properly on the assignment. Name, Course, Grade, Date.

STEP 1: Shiver, Gobble, & Snore

Why do we need laws and rules? Watch this video to follow Shiver, Gobble, and Snore as they discover the answer to this question. Respond to the video by answering the following question:

1. What frustrations did Shiver, Gobble, and Snore encounter in The Land of No Rules?
2. Complete this sentence: We need laws because...

STEP 2: Areas of Life Where Laws & Rules are Necessary

The three biggest reasons we need laws are to protect people’s rights, maintain order, and help people know what to expect from one another.

1. Create a chart like the one below.

2. Brainstorm 5 areas of life in which laws and rules are necessary (e.g. at school, on roads/streets, at work, at church, at home, in sports games, etc.). Record these in the first column.
3. For each of the 5 areas of life, think of 3 laws or rules that govern it. Record these in the corresponding row in the righthand column.
4. For each of the 5 areas of life, identify the law/rule that is most important and put a star next to it.
5. Take a closer look at each law/rule you listed. Are there any that are unnecessary (in your opinion)? Which ones? Why? If these rules/laws are unnecessary, why do you think they were created?

STEP 3: Why is This Law Necessary?

In this final step, you will find 5 bills that either have been or are currently being considered by the current Congress, explain each bill’s purpose, and evaluate why we do or do not need each to become a law.

1. Create a chart like the one below.

2. Go to GovTrack.us and identify 5 bills that seem interesting to you.

1. HINT: Try searching by subject area if you are having trouble getting started!

3. Record the full title of each bill in the chart, then evaluate/identify the following for each one:

1. What is the purpose of the bill? (You will have to do some reading to answer this!)
2. In your opinion, do we need a law like this? Why or why not?
3. What is the status of the bill?

1. If it was signed by the president, when did the signing occur?

1. HINT: Pub.L. means “public law” (laws relating to the general public), while Pri.L. means “private law” (laws relating to specific institutions or individuals).^[2]

2. If it has been referred to committee or passed by either the Senate or the House, what is the bill’s prognosis?

Upload your responses to the “Add Submission” box!

1. Open document to your computer
2. Complete the Activity
3. Click "Save As" and save it onto a special place on your computer
4. Click "Upload a File"
5. Upload the file to this Moodle page
6. Click Save