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Introduction 1. Teacher's Notes Teacher's Notes Purpose: To provide students with an introduction to the role of laws in their lives. Materials Needed: Chalkboard and The Law and You activity handouts 1, 2, and 3 Teaching the Unit: Ask students to think about what they did for the first hour this morning after waking up. Then ask them if their lives were affected by any laws during that one-hour period. Chances are, they won't see much of a relationship. Explain to students that there are laws for almost everything we do, every hour of every day. Distribute L&Y Activity Handout 1, "Mabel's Day," and ask students to put themselves in Mabel's shoes and walk along with her through her morning. Ask students to brainstorm some of the laws that might be involved. For example: 6:00 A.M. The alarm goes off - laws regulating time 6:05 A.M. Out of bed and into the shower - laws regulating plumbing, sanitation, water 6:30 A.M. Wake up the kids for school - laws regulating school attendance 7:00 A.M. A quick breakfast - laws regulating food packaging and labeling 7:15 A.M. Mail the rent check - laws regulating the postal service, housing, and banking 7:30 A.M. Catch the bus for work - transportation laws 8:00 A.M. Start the work day - employment laws Distribute L&Y Activity Handout 2, "The Law and You." Ask students to read along with you while you read the material aloud. Ask students to brainstorm some other specific ways that knowing about the law might benefit them. Responses might include: purchasing household items; Explain to students that the remaining units in the curriculum will deal with more specific information about rights, responsibilities, and consequences in the following areas: being a wise consumer; being a worker; being accused of a crime; being a victim of crime; and being a responsible citizen. The pace at which the materials are covered will depend on the ability levels of the students. Each of the activity handouts can be completed in anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes or more. Community Resource Lessons Depending on time and the availability of community resources in your area, this unit should include at least one lesson presented by a community resource person. A sample lesson plan is included; however, other government or law-related topics would also be appropriate. The specific topic should be determined in collaboration with the community resource person you select to visit the class. Possible resource persons for this unit are: Lawyer Law-enforcement officer State or local legislator President or member of the city council or board of aldermen A judge A representative of a federal, state, or local government agency Family Involvement Activities Two family involvement activities for parents/guardians and their preschool children are included. These activities can be completed during class time or at home. |