UNDERSTANDING MAGNA CARTA
OCR CITIZENSHIP GCSE (9-1) SECTION 1.1 / AQA CITIZENSHIP GCSE (9-1) SECTION 3.3.3
RIGHTS, THE LAW, AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM / THE ORIGINS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
· Students should be aware of the historical background to Magna Carta,
· Students should understand the main provisions of Magna Carta,
· Students should recognize the importance of Magna Carta in the development of British rights.
LEARNING RESOURCES
· Quiz [CLICK HERE TO ACCESS]
· Reading extracts [CLICK HERE TO ACCESS]
· Video: The Baron's Revolt [Length: 08:56]
· Video: Power To The People—The Principles Of Magna Carta [Length: 07:52]
· Video: Liberty and Progress [Length: 02:52]
Recommended Pre-Reading For Teachers
· Magna Carta: A Primer (The Road to Runnymede) pg. 21-26
· Magna Carta: A Primer (Magna Carta’s Provisions) pg.29-36
· Magna Carta: A Primer (The Charter’s Long-Term Effects) pg. 45-49
· Magna Carta: A Primer (Magna Carta Today) pg. 49-61
Key Questions
· What factors led to King John signing the Magna Carta?
· What was the content of Magna Carta?
· What principles were outlined in Magna Carta that still have a place in British law and society?
Activities
· Begin the lesson with a general class discussion on what students know about Magna Carta—its origins, purpose, and significance today.
· Play The Baron’s Revolt video module and add that the First Barons’ War led to the signing of Magna Carta. Ask them to state why they think the baronial class resented King John.
· Ask students to read the following extracts from the learning resources section, then use the quiz resource to test their knowledge of the lesson’s key questions (read the questions aloud and get students to mark their partner’s answers):
Extract 1: from “Q&A: the legal significance of Magna Carta”
Extract 2: from “Magna Carta: A Primer”
· Play Power To The People—The Principles Of Magna Carta video module and ask students what Magna Carta freedoms they think are most important today. Ask them to explain their answer.
Extension Activities
· Play the Liberty and Progress video module. Split students up into small groups. Ask each group to draft a contemporary “Great Charter” that updates and reasserts Magna Carta freedoms. Discuss the similarities and differences between their document and Magna Carta.
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