Lesson Plan
Law Unpacked Lesson Plan
Students will distinguish between civil and criminal law by reading a leveled passage and completing targeted questions to classify legal scenarios correctly.
Understanding civil vs. criminal law lays the groundwork for civic engagement, helps students grasp how legal systems function, and builds critical thinking about justice and rights.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Leveled reading followed by guided discussion and worksheet practice.
Materials
- Reading Passage on Civil vs. Criminal Law, - Civil vs. Criminal Law Worksheet, - Whiteboard and Markers, and - Projector or Interactive Display
Prep
Review and Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print copies of Reading Passage on Civil vs. Criminal Law
- Print copies of Civil vs. Criminal Law Worksheet
- Set up the whiteboard with two columns labeled “Civil Law” and “Criminal Law”
- Queue the projector or interactive display if displaying the passage digitally
- Familiarize yourself with key examples and definitions in the passage
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
- Ask students what rules they follow at school and at home
- Introduce the idea that different rules create different consequences
- Record student ideas under two headings: 'Civil' and 'Criminal' on the whiteboard
Step 2
Guided Reading
8 minutes
- Distribute Reading Passage on Civil vs. Criminal Law
- Have students read individually or in pairs
- Circulate to support decoding and clarify vocabulary (e.g., 'plaintiff', 'defendant')
Step 3
Class Discussion
5 minutes
- Using the whiteboard columns, ask students to share examples from the passage
- Prompt students to explain why each example is civil or criminal
- Highlight similarities and differences between the two types of law
Step 4
Worksheet Practice
8 minutes
- Hand out the Civil vs. Criminal Law Worksheet
- Students classify scenarios and answer comprehension questions
- Encourage students to refer back to the passage as needed
Step 5
Wrap-Up and Assessment
4 minutes
- Review one scenario from the worksheet as a class
- Ask a volunteer to explain the difference between civil and criminal law in their own words
- Collect worksheets to assess understanding
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Slide Deck
Warm-Up Discussion
• What rules do you follow at school?
• What rules do you follow at home?
• What happens if you break those rules?
We’ll sort your ideas into two columns: Civil and Criminal.
Begin by engaging students with familiar rule-following scenarios. Record student responses on the board under “Civil” and “Criminal.”
Civil vs. Criminal Law
Civil Law:
• Disputes between private parties
• Involves lawsuits, money or property
Criminal Law:
• Actions that harm society
• Prosecutions by the government, possible jail or fines
Introduce clear definitions and check for student understanding. Emphasize the key differences.
Examples
Civil Law Examples:
• Neighbors arguing over a fence
• Someone sues for a broken promise (contract)
• Divorce proceedings
Criminal Law Examples:
• Stealing money from a store
• Vandalizing school property
• Assaulting another person
Ask volunteers to identify which column each example belongs in. Clarify any confusion.
Let’s Read!
Distribute the leveled text:
Reading Passage on Civil vs. Criminal Law
Instructions:
• Read individually or with a partner
• Underline key words: plaintiff, defendant, prosecution, verdict
Distribute the reading passage. Circulate to support decoding and check vocabulary understanding.
Worksheet Practice
Distribute:
Civil vs. Criminal Law Worksheet
Tasks:
• Classify each scenario as civil or criminal
• Answer comprehension questions
• Use the passage to support your answers
Hand out the worksheet and monitor students as they work. Encourage referring back to the passage.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
• Review one scenario together—ask a student to classify and explain.
• Volunteer defines the difference between civil and criminal law in their own words.
• Collect worksheets for evaluation.
Lead a brief class discussion to reinforce the lesson. Collect worksheets to assess individual understanding.
Reading
Reading Passage on Civil vs. Criminal Law
What Is Law?
Every place where people live together—like a city, a school, or a family—has rules. These rules are called laws. Laws help us know what behaviors are safe and fair. When someone breaks a law, they face a consequence.
Civil Law
Civil law covers disagreements between private people or groups. For example, if two neighbors argue over property lines or if someone sues another person for breaking a promise in a contract, they use civil law. In civil cases, one side (the plaintiff) asks the court to help fix the problem. The other side (the defendant) explains their view. Judges or juries decide if money or a change in behavior will solve the dispute.
Criminal Law
Criminal law deals with actions that harm society or break public rules. When someone steals, hurts another person, or damages property on purpose, the government steps in. A prosecutor represents the government and brings charges against the accused. If the defendant is found guilty, they may face fines, community service, or even jail time. The main goal is to keep everyone safe and discourage harmful acts.
Comparing Civil and Criminal Cases
• Who brings the case?
– Civil: A private person or group (plaintiff).
– Criminal: The government (prosecutor).
• What is at stake?
– Civil: Money, an order to act, or a change in behavior.
– Criminal: Punishment such as fines, probation, or imprisonment.
Why Laws Matter
Laws guide our actions and keep communities peaceful. Civil law helps people settle disagreements fairly. Criminal law protects us from harm and punishment encourages good behavior. By understanding both kinds of law, we learn how justice works and why our rights matter.
Worksheet
Civil vs. Criminal Law Worksheet
Refer to the Reading Passage on Civil vs. Criminal Law as you work through these questions.
Part 1: Classify Each Scenario
Write Civil or Criminal next to each scenario.
- Two neighbors disagree over a broken fence and take the case to court. ____________________
- Someone sprays graffiti on a school wall. ____________________
- A person sues a company for not delivering an item they paid for. ____________________
- A driver hits another car in a parking lot and leaves without paying for damages. ____________________
- A couple files paperwork to end their marriage. ____________________
Part 2: Short Answer
-
In your own words, explain the main difference between civil law and criminal law.
-
Who brings a civil case, and who brings a criminal case?
Civil case: ____________________
Criminal case: ____________________
Part 3: True or False
Circle True or False for each statement.
- Civil law deals with disagreements between private people or groups. True / False
- In criminal cases, the government prosecutes the accused. True / False
- Civil cases can result in jail time for the defendant. True / False
Part 4: Scenario Explanation
Read the scenario and answer the question.
A store owner catches someone shoplifting and decides to press charges. Under which type of law does this fall? Explain why this scenario fits that category.