The rule of law is one of the most vital concepts to the success of our legal system, and indeed, to society in general. Rules established in the classroom, at home, within a school—all are meant to ensure a degree of fairness and interest in the common good.  In light of Constitution Day, how does the 224 year-old document reveal the rule of law?  How do federal judges and attorneys use the concept to protect society and the individual? 

Join this interactive session with Pennsylvania First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell to explore how school rules, community ordinances, state and federal laws work together for the common good.

Objectives

Pennsylvania students should know and be able to:

• Define the concept of the rule of law.
• Explain the importance of the rule of law to society.
• Explain the role of the judiciary in interpreting the law.

Videoconference Outline

• Welcome/Introductions (5 Minutes)
  Judge Rendell will welcome all of the schools to the event and explain the purpose of the program.
• Stump the Judge Activity (10 Minutes)
  Students will try and stump the Judge with their responses to the September 17th newspaper hunt.
• What is "The Rule of Law?" (5 Minutes)
  Judge Rendell will provide her prespective on the rule of law, and address the following questions: What happens when the rule of law does not exist or is ignored?  How does the rule of law influence the ruling of a Judge?  What about the thinking of an attorney? What is the place of the rule of law in everyday life (including school)?
• Rules, Laws and the Common Good (20 Minutes)
  Each school will have an opportunity to share their responses to the pre-vidoconference discussion questions (2 minutes) and receive feedback from Judge Rendell.
• Wrap-Up/Assessement (5 Minutes)
  Be on your toes! Judge Rendell will be making final remarks and also 'spot-checking' for understanding.

Essential Questions

Essential questions are useful in a number of ways.  Some educators use them to focus instruction, as diagnostic assessment tools, or as springboards for further study.  Students use them to clarify instruction and provide focus for tasks.

• How do citizens effectively communicate with legislators, officers, and the legal system?
• Is public safety or individual freedom more important in our society?
• Why does a citizen have to do more than merely exercise his or her rights? 
• What are your responsibilities as an American citizen? 
• What are the roles of the citizen in our democracy? 
• What does the concept of equality mean? 
• How does the legal system protect all citizens? 
• Why must the rights of the minority be respected within the rule of the majority? 
• Should a society have the ability to control individuals?

Pre-Videoconference Activities

Stump the Judge! Every participating classroom should have at least one copy of the September 17 local newspaper. Prior to the videoconference, have students "hunt" for items in the newspaper not related to the Constitution. Make a list (might be good to have the list posted in your classroom during the event). Please have one student ready to share some of the items you found.

Discussion: As a class, discuss the following questions:

• Is there a rule in your classroom or school that is for the good of everyone?  What is it?  If you’d rather, identify a law in your community that is designed for the good of everyone.
• Is there a rule in your classroom or school or a law in your community that doesn’t seem fair or for everyone’s benefit?  What is it?  Why isn’t it fair?
• Is there a school rule or a law that you would like to have enacted that would help all students or citizens?  What would it look like?

Presentation: Create a two minute presentation that summarizes your discussion. We encourage creativity in your presentations! Use drama, multimedia, write a rap song - - skies the limit. If you are showing any multimedia, please be sure to let MAGPI's Manager of Multimedia Services know ahead of time (email Michael at mknigh@magpi.net) and test your capability to show multimedia ahead of time. Please note that we realize 2 minutes is not a lot of time to share responses to multiple questions, but ask that you kindly adhere to the time limit so that we can hear from all schools.

About Justice Marjorie O. Rendell

Marjorie Osterlund Rendell became the 43rd First Lady of Pennsylvania when her husband, Governor Edward G. Rendell, was sworn in as Governor of Pennsylvania on January 21, 2003.  Judge Rendell, a cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, received her Juris Doctor degree from the Villanova University School of Law in 1973.  Upon graduation from law school, she joined the law firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, where she subsequently became the firm’s second woman partner.  Over the course of her 20-year career as a practicing attorney, she specialized in bankruptcy law and commercial litigation, served as a mediator for the United States District Court, and was a frequent speaker at law-related seminars and panels.  Inducted as a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in March of 1994, Judge Rendell was elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in November of 1997. As First Lady, Judge Rendell’s primary initiative focuses on imparting civic responsibility to our children through civic learning.  She is a member of the National Advisory Council of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, and is a lead partner of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy (PennCORD).  She feels it is important to cultivate a shared concern for citizenship, so that our children can gain an understanding of our representative democracy and foster a greater understanding of their rights and responsibilities as young citizens in the democratic process.  The Rendells have been married over 35 years and have an adult son, Jesse, and a daughter-in-law, Beka.  Additionally, they enjoy the company of their two golden retrievers, Ginger and Maggie.

Pennsylvania State Standards

Participation in this program meets the following Pennsylvania Academic Standards:

• 5.1.6.A: Explain the purpose of government.
• 5.1.6.B: Explain the importance of the rule of law for the
  protection of individual rights and the common good in the community,
  state, nation and world.
• 5.1.6.C: Describe the principals and ideals shaping government: Equality; Majority rule/Minority rights; Popular sovereignty; Privacy; Checks and balances; and Separation of powers.
• 5.1.6.E: Explain the basic principles and ideals within documents of United States government.
• 5.1.6.J: Describe how the government protects individual and property rights and promotes the common good.
• 5.1.6.L: Explain the role of courts in resolving conflicts
  involving the principles and ideals of government. (Local, State,
  Federal)
• 5.2.6.C: Explain ways citizens resolve conflicts in society and government.
• 5.2.6.E: Identify examples of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
• 5.3.6.C: Explain how government actions affect citizens' daily lives.
• 5.3.6.G: Describe how the government protects individual rights.
• 5.2.6.A: Compare rights and responsibilities of citizenship: Political rights; Economic rights; Personal responsibilities of the individual and to society; Civic responsibilities of the individual and to society; Traits of character of individuals and to a republican form of government.
• 5.2.6.B: Explain the relationship between rights and responsibilities.
• 5.2.6.C: Explain ways citizens resolve conflicts in society and government.
• 5.2.6.E: Identify examples of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
• 5.2.6.F: Describe the impact of the consequences of violating rules and laws in a civil society.
• 5.2.6.G: Explain the importance of participating in government and civic life.
• 5.3.6.C: Explain how government actions affect citizens' daily lives.
• 5.3.6.G: Describe how the government protects individual rights: Presumption of Innocence; Right to Counsel; Trial by Jury; and Bill of Rights