Activity: Laws where you live

PSHE & Citizenship 2c.

View activity
This is a simple interactive game based on matching the two halves of a domino tile. Five scenes from everyday life in Crownford Rise are portrayed and the children match up a phrase that best describes the effect of the law on the illustrated incident.

Discussion
Split the class into groups and give each group one of the situations in 'the domino effect'. Does everyone in the group agree on how the law applies to each situation? Can they think of any reasons why there shouldn't be a law?

Role play
The children can work in groups of three or four. Ask each group to choose one of the five phrases that begin with the words 'Laws help us to...' Can they create a 30-second TV promotion for the Ministry of Justice, which explains the importance of their phrase? They could include a mime of an incident with a commentary, or a short interview with someone who has been helped out of a tricky situation because the law was enforced.

Extension activities
Challenge the children to write a fair school rule for the following situation: 'The playground at Crownford Rise Primary School gets very crowded, especially at lunchtimes. The older children say they can't play football or volleyball because they're worried about knocking over the little ones. Some of the younger children also want to play football and say that they never get a turn. There just doesn't seem to be enough space.' Can you think of a fair rule that will please everyone?