Is That a Rule or a Law? Free Government Activity for First Grade!

It seems preposterous to consider teaching concepts of government to first graders, but teachers across the country do it every day. Sometimes without even realizing it. In primary grades, concepts of government are taught through lessons in good citizenship and knowing the difference between rules and laws. We’ve created a fun game of Scoot! to help you put together those concepts for your students.

This game of Rule or Law? Scoot is designed to have your students consider different social and community situations and determine if those statements are simply rules or actual laws that must be followed. 

To play,

1. Hang the cards around the room or place them on desks in number order. Assign each student to a starting card and provide an allotted amount of time for students to read the question.
2. Students will write “rule” or “law” for each question on their recording sheet in the matching numbered box.

Through this activity, students will show their understanding of the difference between rules and laws, and how those rules and laws keep people safe.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your Social Studies lessons. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Some ways to help struggling students with the activity are

• Provide read-aloud accommodations or allow students to partner up to complete the readings.
• Complete the activity as a whole class by reading each card aloud and having students record their answers.
• Complete the activity in a small group, in a one-to-one session, or as a teacher-led station activity.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers]

• Challenge fast finishers to extend the activity by writing sentences or a storybook about what happens when rules and laws are not followed.
• Have students make an anchor chart or poster with critical classroom and school rules or laws around the community.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Free Government Activity for Kindergarten and First Grade

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the color or blackline PDF version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download. 

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

teaching resource All About Community Workers - Community Helper Slide Deck View and discuss the various community helpers with a slideshow about community helpers for kindergarten and preschool. teaching resource Who Works in Our Community? - Community Helper Worksheet A worksheet to use when learning about community helpers. teaching resource U.S. Government - Vocabulary Match Build vocabulary of government concepts with a U.S. government vocabulary matching activity.