Judicial Branch: Origins of Law, Types of Law, and Sources of Law 3-Page Article & Matching Activity

This Judicial Branch: Types and Sources of Law Article & Matching Activity introduces middle school students to the Origins of Law, the Types of Law, and the Sources of Law in the American Government! 

A three-page article provides an overview of early law systems in human history and their influence on the American judicial system, as well as the types and sources of law in the American government. A comprehension review is included, as well as an engaging matching activity, where students pair each type and source of law to both a definition and an example court case. Perfect for middle school students studying the Judicial Branch in Civics, American Government, and American History classes!

Compatible with the following Florida State Standard for Middle School Civics:

• SS.7.CG.3.10 Identify sources and types of law. 

This Judicial Branch: Types and Sources of Law Article & Matching Activity 

✯ The three-page Judicial Branch: Origins of Law, Types of Law, and Sources of Law Article. This engaging, easy-to-understand reading passage covers historic early law systems, as well as the types and sources of law found in the American court system.

• Origins of Law included: Hammurabi’s Code, Rome’s Twelve Tables and Justinian Code, Napoleonic Code, English Common Law, and Natural Law.

• Sources of Law included: Constitutional Law, Statutory Law, Case Law, Administrative Law

• Types of Law included: Civil Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Military Law, Juvenile Law

✯ A one-page Comprehension Review that reinforces key vocabulary and main ideas from the article.

Sample Questions include: 

• What is the significance of the Code of Hammurabi? 
• Identify and briefly summarize the five types of laws in the American legal system.

✯ Finally, the lesson culminates with my Judicial Branch Types and Sources of Law Matching Activity! In this two-page, cut-and-paste activity, students match definitions and example cases (themed as newspaper headlines) to each of the Types and Sources of Law in American Government! The definitions are easy-to-understand, and some of the example cases are pulled directly from the history books! This activity will not just reinforce unit vocabulary, but help students understand the real-life applications of each type of law.

Sample case examples include:

• Equality Now: Congress has passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, banning racial discrimination in the workplace and outlawing segregation in public places. (Statutory Law)
• Minor Convicted of Major Vandalism: A 16 year-old was found guilty today of vandalizing the public library. He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service. (Juvenile Law)

All in all, this resource makes for a fun, engaging lesson on the Types and Sources of Law in American Government. Students will learn loads reading the article, and they’ll love completing the matching activity! 

This resource comes as a printable, non-editable PDF. Answer Keys are included!

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