Unit 3 · Rules, Fairness and Leaders

Sofia comes home from school. She puts her shoes by the door. She washes her hands. Then she eats a snack. These are her family’s rules.

A rule tells us what to do or what not to do. Families make rules. Grown-ups often make them. Kids can help too. Each family has its own rules.

Some home rules keep us safe. Do not touch the hot stove. Some rules help us get along. Take turns with the toys. Rules help a home feel calm.

It is morning in Room 12. Children raise their hands to talk. They walk in the hall. They line up for lunch. Everyone knows what to do.

Rules help a class work well. When one person talks at a time, all can hear. When we walk inside, nobody falls. Rules help us learn and play.

Ana and her mom stand at the corner. The light is red. Cars zoom by. They wait. The walk sign lights up. Now they cross.

Roads have rules too. Red means stop. Green means go. Walkers use the crosswalk. Riders wear helmets. These rules help keep everyone safe.

Drivers follow the rules. Walkers follow the rules. When everyone does, people get where they are going safely.

The class plays a game. The rule is: wait for your turn. Leo waits. Pia waits. Then the teacher’s helper wants to skip ahead. "The rule is for me too," she says. She waits.

A rule is fair when it is the same for everyone. Big kids and little kids. New kids and old friends. Nobody gets to skip the rule. That is how we trust it.

Jamal runs in the hall. He bumps into Rosa. Her books fall. Jamal stops. He says, "I am sorry." He helps pick up the books.

Everyone breaks a rule sometimes. That is how we learn. We can say sorry. We can help fix what went wrong. Then we try again.

Sometimes there is a consequence. That is what happens after we do something. Jamal walks back and walks again. Next time, he remembers to walk.

A family drives in the car. Everyone wears a seat belt. The baby sits in a car seat. This is not just a family rule. It is a law.

A law is a rule for everyone in a town, a state or a country. Leaders write laws. Police and judges help people follow them. Laws help keep people safe.

The United States has a big plan for its laws. It is called the Constitution. It was written in 1787. It still helps guide the country today.

In Chicago, cars drive on the right side of the road. In London, cars drive on the left side. In Tokyo, Japan, they drive on the left too.

Every country has rules and laws. Some rules are different. Some are the same. Children go to school in many countries. People stop at red lights almost everywhere.

When we visit a new place, we learn its rules. That is a kind and safe thing to do.

The class goes on a walk to the park. Ms. Ruiz walks in front. She holds the line leader’s hand. She checks that everyone is there. She keeps the group safe.

A leader helps a group. A leader listens. A leader helps the group choose. A leader helps everyone work together. A good leader cares about every person in the group.

Chicago is a big city. It has a mayor. The mayor helps the city run. The mayor works on parks, buses and clean streets.

Illinois is a state. It has a governor. The governor leads the whole state. The United States is a country. It has a president. The president leads the whole country.

People vote to choose these leaders. The president serves four years at a time. Then the people vote again.

The United Kingdom is a country far across the ocean. It has a king. His name is King Charles III. A king or queen often gets the job from their family.

Japan has an emperor. His name is Emperor Naruhito. In both countries, the king or emperor stands for the country. People also vote for other leaders who help make the laws.

The class wants a game for Friday. Some want tag. Some want freeze dance. How can they choose? They vote! Each child gets one vote.

A vote is how each person shows their choice. We count the votes. The choice with the most votes wins. Grown-ups vote for mayors, governors and presidents.

After a vote, we work together. We help, even if our choice did not win. Next time, our choice might win.

There is one red crayon. Two children want it. Ella uses it first. Then she hands it to Sam. They are taking turns.

Sharing means letting others use things too. When we take turns and share, everyone gets a chance. Nobody is left out. Groups get along better.

Before sunrise, a farmer picks apples. A bus driver starts the bus. A nurse checks on a sick baby. A teacher opens the classroom door.

Each of these jobs helps people. Farmers grow food. Nurses help people get well. Bus drivers take people where they need to go. Teachers help children learn. We need them all.

Some families have a lot of money. They may have a big house. Some families have a little money. They may share a small apartment. All of them love and care for each other.

Every person matters. Having more money does not make a person better. Having less does not make a person worse. We treat every family with the same respect.

A new girl comes to class. Her name is Amira. She speaks Arabic at home. She is learning English. At lunch she sits alone.

Diego sits next to her. He smiles. He shows her his apple. She shows him her bread. They both laugh. Being kind means helping others feel welcome. Different is not wrong. Different is just different.