---
title: Rules and Why We Have Them
created: '2026-05-26'
updated: '2026-05-26'
type: lesson_topic
subject: history
tags:
- history
- grade-2
- homeschool
standard: ''
phase: 1
phase_name: "FALL: Time, Place & Community Foundations (Weeks 1\u20138)"
weeks:
- 6
source: ''
---
# Rules and Why We Have Them
Second grade history topic covering rules and why we have them. Part of Phase 1 (FALL: Time, Place & Community Foundations (Weeks 1–8)).
## Key Concepts
Understanding laws, rules, and fairness
- **Objectives:** Explain why rules exist, distinguish rules from laws
- **Activities:**
- Discuss classroom rules vs. home rules vs. laws
- Role-play scenarios: "What if there were no rules?"
- Create a class "fair rules" poster
- **Assessment:** Write/draw 3 rules and explain why each one matters
### Week 7: Buying and Selling
**Focus:** Basic economics — needs vs. wants, money
- **Objectives:** Distinguish needs from wants, understand money as a tool for trade
- **Activities:**
- Needs vs. wants sorting game
- Identify coins and bills, practice making change
- Read about barter — trading before money existed
- **Assessment:** Needs vs. wants classification worksheet
### Week 8: Maps and Directions
**Focus:** Reading simple maps and compass directions
- **Objectives:** Identify N/S/E/W, read a simple map with a legend
- **Activities:**
- Create a treasure map using directions
- Practice with a classroom map
- Use a real map to find places in the area
- **Assessment:** Follow written directions on a map to find a "treasure"
---
## Standards
Not specified
## Related Topics
[[what-is-history]], [[timelines-yesterday-today-tomorrow]], [[me-and-my-family]], [[my-neighborhood]], [[community-helpers]]
---
*Generated from curriculum data* ^[[raw/curriculum/history]]