Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. To introduce students to the concept of Common Law, its origins, and its establishment in England in the Middle Ages.
2. To familiarize students with the principles of Common Law, such as the reliance on judicial decisions and the concept of legal precedent.
3. To explain the evolution of Common Law in England and its influence on legal systems in other English-speaking countries, including the United States.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To encourage students to think critically about the advantages and disadvantages of a legal system based on Common Law.
2. To facilitate a discussion on the relevance of Common Law in today's legal system, and its impact on the rights and responsibilities of individuals.
3. To develop students' research and presentation skills through the use of flipped classroom methodology, where they learn the basics of the topic at home and apply their knowledge in class through interactive activities and discussions.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. The teacher begins by reminding the students of the previous lessons on Feudalism and the Middle Ages in England. They may ask a few questions to jog the students' memory and ensure they have the necessary foundational knowledge for the current lesson. For instance, the teacher could ask, "What was the role of the King in Medieval England?" or "How were disputes settled in this period?"

2. The teacher then presents two problem situations to spark the students' curiosity and engagement with the topic. The first situation could be, "Imagine you and your neighbor have a dispute over a fence. How would you settle this in a fair and just way?" The second situation could be, "You are a judge in a court case where the law is not clear. How would you make a decision?"

3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of Common Law by explaining how it forms the basis of the legal systems in many English-speaking countries, including the United States. They can highlight how understanding Common Law can help students comprehend the rights and responsibilities of citizens in these countries.

4. To grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two interesting facts or stories related to Common Law. The first could be the story of the Magna Carta, a document that limited the power of the English King and is considered a cornerstone of Common Law. The teacher could also share the fact that Common Law is known for its flexibility, as judges can interpret and adapt the law to suit the circumstances of each case.

5. The teacher introduces the topic of Common Law with a statement like, "Today, we're going to explore a unique legal system that relies on judges' decisions and legal precedents rather than written laws. This system, known as Common Law, has a fascinating history and has shaped the legal systems of many countries, including the United States."

6. The teacher ends the introduction by encouraging students to think about how the principles of Common Law might compare with other legal systems they are familiar with, such as Civil Law.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

Pre-Class Activities (to be done at home):

1. Students are required to watch a short educational video (around 10 minutes) that covers the basics of Common Law, including its origins, principles, and influence on legal systems in English-speaking countries. The teacher will provide the link to the video along with a set of guiding questions to help students focus on the key concepts. The questions could include:

   • What is Common Law?
   • How does it differ from Civil Law?
   • How did Common Law evolve in England?
   • What role do judges play in the Common Law system?

2. After watching the video, students will be asked to write a short summary of what they learned and bring it to class. This summary will help them consolidate their understanding of the topic and also serve as a starting point for the in-class activities.

In-Class Activities:

Activity 1: Common Law Role Play

1. The students will be divided into small groups, each group representing a fictional town under a Common Law system.

2. Each group will be given a scenario, such as a dispute between two neighbors over a right-of-way or a disagreement between a landlord and a tenant over property damage.

3. The groups will be tasked with finding a fair and just resolution to their scenario based on the principles of Common Law.

4. While working on their scenarios, students are encouraged to refer to their video summaries and discuss the key principles of Common Law they've learned, such as the reliance on legal precedent and the role of judges.

5. After the groups have reached a resolution, they will present their scenarios and the decisions they made to the class. The teacher will facilitate a discussion on the reasoning behind each decision and how it reflects the principles of Common Law.

Activity 2: The Evolution of Common Law - A Timeline Creation

1. Building on the knowledge they have gained from the video and the Common Law role play activity, students will work together to create a timeline that traces the evolution of Common Law in England.

2. The timeline should include key events and milestones, such as the establishment of the King's courts, the signing of the Magna Carta, and the development of the concept of legal precedent.

3. Each group will be provided with a large sheet of paper and art supplies to create their timelines. They can use images, symbols, and short descriptions to represent each event.

4. Once the timelines are completed, the groups will present their timelines to the class, explaining the significance of each event and how it contributed to the development of Common Law.

5. The teacher will then lead a discussion on the evolution of Common Law, emphasizing its dynamic nature and its ability to adapt to societal changes over time.

6. To wrap up the lesson, the teacher will ask each student to write a brief reflection on what they've learned during the class, and any questions they still have about Common Law. This reflection will help the teacher assess the students' understanding of the topic and plan for any necessary follow-up activities or discussions in the next lesson.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. The teacher initiates a group discussion, where each group presents their solutions or conclusions from the Common Law role-play activity and the Evolution of Common Law timeline creation. They are given a maximum of 3 minutes to share their work. This allows the students to articulate their understanding of the topic and learn from their peers. (4 minutes)

2. Following the group presentations, the teacher assesses the connections made by the students between the activities and the theory they learned about Common Law. The teacher points out the key principles of Common Law that were applied in the role-play scenarios and how the events on the timelines reflect the evolution of Common Law. This step helps students see the practical application and historical context of the Common Law system. (2 minutes)

3. The teacher then facilitates a reflection session, where students are encouraged to think about the most important concept they learned in the lesson. They are asked to share their thoughts with the class. This activity helps consolidate the students' learning and identify any areas that may need further clarification. (1 minute)

4. The teacher concludes the feedback session by addressing any common misconceptions that may have arisen during the activities and presentations. They also answer any remaining questions from the students. This step ensures that all students have a clear and accurate understanding of the Common Law system. (2 minutes)

5. For homework, the teacher assigns a short written reflection. The students are asked to write a paragraph answering the following questions:

   • What was the most important concept you learned in today's lesson?
   • Which questions do you still have about Common Law?

6. The teacher collects the written reflections at the beginning of the next class. These reflections will provide valuable feedback on the students' understanding of the lesson and help the teacher identify any areas that may need to be revisited in future lessons.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They remind the students that Common Law is a legal system that relies on judicial decisions and legal precedents rather than written laws. It originated in England in the Middle Ages and has influenced the legal systems of many English-speaking countries, including the United States. The teacher also recaps the two key activities: the Common Law role play and the Evolution of Common Law timeline creation, and how they helped the students understand and apply the principles of Common Law. (2 minutes)

2. The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. They highlight how the students first learned the theory of Common Law through the video and the guiding questions. They then applied this knowledge in the Common Law role play, where they had to decide on a fair resolution to a fictional dispute. Finally, they explored the practical application of Common Law through the Evolution of Common Law timeline creation, which showed how the legal system has evolved over time. The teacher emphasizes that understanding Common Law is not just about memorizing facts, but also about understanding its principles and how they shape our legal system today. (2 minutes)

3. The teacher suggests additional materials for students who want to deepen their understanding of the topic. These could include:

   • A documentary on the history of English law and the development of Common Law.
   • A book on the landmark Common Law cases that have shaped the legal system.
   • A website that provides interactive activities and quizzes to test their knowledge of Common Law. The teacher encourages the students to explore these resources at their own pace and to come to class with any questions or insights they've gained. (1 minute)

4. The teacher concludes the lesson by emphasizing the importance of Common Law in everyday life. They explain that Common Law is not just for lawyers and judges; it's a fundamental part of our legal system that affects everyone's rights and responsibilities. Understanding Common Law can help us navigate legal issues, understand court decisions, and participate in our legal system. The teacher encourages the students to keep this in mind as they continue their studies and to be aware of the legal principles that underpin our society. (2 minutes)