Unit Plan
Australia’s System of Government Unit Plan
This Civics and Citizenship unit addresses a range of Australian government concepts involving democratic systems, roles and responsibilities of government and the process of making laws.
It consists of 8 lessons of approximately 60 minutes duration.
The sequence of lessons and suggested time frames should be regarded as a guide only; teachers should pace lessons in accordance with the individual learning needs of their class.
An assessment task for monitoring student understanding of the unit objectives is included and will require an additional lesson.
Overview
Objectives
- To identify the reasons why a country needs a system of government.
- To identify the different types of government systems.
- To explore Australia's system of government.
- To understand the place and purpose of Australian Parliament.
- To identify a range of services in the community for which the government is responsible.
- To identify the roles and responsibilities of each level of the Australian government.
- To understand why we have laws in Australia.
- To understand the process of passing a bill in Australia.
Preparing for Learning
This Australian History unit provides excellent opportunities for cross-curricular integration. Look for ways to meaningfully integrate the content of the unit with other learning areas e.g. Literacy, Numeracy, The Arts.
Prior to commencing the unit, develop an Australian Government display in the classroom. Display posters, word wall vocabulary and learning goals that the students will engage with throughout the unit to stimulate their learning. For examples of additional teaching resources to display in your classroom, browse the Australian Government collection on the Teach Starter website.
Some of the resources which accompany this unit plan will need to be prepared prior to teaching. For this reason, it is advised that teachers browse through all lessons before commencing the unit.
Lessons
Resources
NSW Curriculum alignment
- GE3-4
Acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry
Victorian Curriculum alignment
- VCCCG008
Discuss the values, principles and institutions that underpin Australia’s democratic forms of government and explain how this system is influenced by the Westminster system
- VCCCG008
Discuss the values, principles and institutions that underpin Australia’s democratic forms of government and explain how this system is influenced by the Westminster system
- VCCCG009
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government, including shared roles and responsibilities within Australia's federal system
- VCCCG009
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government, including shared roles and responsibilities within Australia's federal system
- VCCCG011
Identify the roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia's democracy
- VCCCG011
Identify the roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia's democracy
Australian Curriculum alignment
- ACHASSI133
Present ideas, findings, viewpoints and conclusions in a range of texts and modes that incorporate source materials, digital and non-digital representations and discipline-specific terms and conventio...
- ACHASSI131
Use criteria to make decisions and judgements and consider advantages and disadvantages of preferring one decision over others
- ACHASSI124
Organise and represent data in a range of formats including tables, graphs and large- and small-scale maps, using discipline-appropriate conventions
- ACHASSK146
Where ideas for new laws can come from and how they become law
- ACHASSI130
Work in groups to generate responses to issues and challenges
- ACHASSI123
Locate and collect relevant information and data from primary sources and secondary sources
- ACHASSK145
The responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia??s democracy
- ACHASSK144
The roles and responsibilities of Australia??s three levels of government
- ACHASSK143
The key institutions of Australia??s democratic system of government and how it is based on the Westminster system
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Hi there,
This question is suggested in Lesson 3:
Do you think there is a link between democracy and British colonisation?
Which I think is a very loaded question, and suggests troubling conclusions. Is there a reason this question is suggested in particular?
Cheers
Madeleine
Comment by Madeleine Crofts on June 20, 2019 at 7:28 am
Hi Madeleine,
Thanks for the message. I passed this by the resource team and we agree with you. The question has been changed and we are very appreciative of your suggestion.
If there is anything else I can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Official comment by Kristian on June 20, 2019 at 9:11 am