Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will have a clear understanding of the key institutions of Australia's democratic system of government, including the role of the monarchy, the parliaments, and how they work together within the Westminster system.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and colored pencils or markers
• Whiteboard or large sheet of paper for brainstorming
• Access to a computer or tablet (optional for research)
• Basic knowledge of what a democracy is

Activities

1. Monarchy and Parliament Role-Play: The student will participate in a role-play where they can act as different members of the Australian government, such as the Prime Minister, a member of Parliament, and even the Queen. This will help them understand how each role functions within the government.

2. Create a Government Chart: Using paper and colored pencils, the student will create a visual chart that outlines the key institutions of the Australian government. They will include the monarchy, the two houses of Parliament (House of Representatives and Senate), and their functions.

3. Group Discussion: Engage in a discussion about why having a democratic system is important. The student can share their thoughts on how they would like to see their government work and what changes they would make.

4. Fun Quiz: At the end of the lesson, the student can create a fun quiz about what they learned. They can quiz you or a family member to reinforce their understanding of the key concepts.

Talking Points

• "Australia's government is a democracy, which means that people have a say in how they are governed. Can you think of ways we can express our opinions?"
• "In Australia, we have a monarchy, which is a system where a king or queen is the head of state. Do you know who the current monarch is?"
• "The Parliament is where laws are made. It has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Can you guess what each part does?"
• "The Prime Minister is the head of the government and is usually the leader of the political party that has the most members in the House of Representatives. What qualities do you think a good Prime Minister should have?"
• "The Westminster system is a way of organizing government that originated in the UK. It's used in many countries, including Australia. Why do you think it's important to have a system like this?"
• "Citizens can vote to choose their representatives in Parliament. Why do you think voting is an important part of democracy?"