Florida SS.6.CG.1.3

Social Studies6th Grade

The Standard

Examine rule of law in the ancient world and its influence on the United States' constitutional republic.

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare ancient legal codes with principles used in the United States government. They identify written laws, limits on power, equal treatment, and procedures for resolving disputes.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can use evidence from an ancient law to explain a similarity or difference with the U.S. Constitution. They can also distinguish rule of law from rulers using laws only to control others.
Common Misconceptions: Students may assume every ancient law treated people equally. They may confuse written law with rule of law or claim the Constitution copied ancient codes word for word.
How to Assess It: Give students one excerpt from the Twelve Tables and one constitutional principle. Ask them to name one shared idea and explain one key difference.

Lesson moves

Have pairs sort excerpt cards from Hammurabi’s Code, the Twelve Tables, and the U.S. Constitution by written law, equality, and limits on power.
Ask, “Does having written laws guarantee rule of law?” Students cite one ancient example and one constitutional principle in a six-sentence response.
Play a scenario match game where teams pair cases with due process, equal application, public laws, or limits on government.
Compare a school discipline policy with constitutional rule of law, checking whether rules are public, consistent, and open to appeal.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS.6.CG.1.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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