Middle School
Lesson Plans
Justice in the Classroom | The Rule of Law
The Rule of Law: Due Process
CIVICS & ECONOMICS SPANISH
Justice in the Classroom | The Rule of Law | Due Process is a lesson on the concept of the rule of law and how it is an integral part of our governing systems in America. Through this standards-based curriculum, middle school students learn the fundamental political principle of due process by making paper boats to understand the importance of following legal process. Working in groups, students will teach the class about the rights in the Bill of Rights that are guaranteed through due process and examine the origins and purpose of the Miranda warning.
Middle School: 2015 Standards
Virginia
CE.3b The student will apply social science skills to understand citizenship and the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens by describing the rights guaranteed by due process and equal protection of the laws. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments outline due process.
Fifth Amendment
- The Fifth Amendment protects citizens from being held for committing a crime unless they have been charged by the police. It also guarantees due process, which means that the state and the country have to respect a citizen’s legal rights.
Fourteenth Amendment
- The Fourteenth Amendment declares no state may deprive persons born or naturalized in the United States of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law or equal protection of the laws.
CE.9d The student will apply social science skills to understand the judicial systems established by the Constitution of Virginia and the Constitution of the United States by explaining how due process protections seek to ensure justice.
Due process protections
- The 5th Amendment prohibits the national government from violating due process.
- The 14th Amendment prohibits state and local governments from violating due process.
The Supreme Court has extended the guarantees of the Bill of Rights, based upon the due process clause.
National
NSS-C.5-8.3, C.9-12.1 Principles of Democracy
The Rule of Law - Due Process - Middle School
Introduction
Paper Boat Activity
Due Process and the Constitution Activity
The Miranda Warning
Resources
Hyperlinks are exceptionally user friendly in lessons.
