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Lesson 1: The Electoral Process.
Lesson 1: The Electoral Process.
Level 7/8 - Government & Democracy Knowledge and Understanding: Students learn about the role of political parties and independent representatives in Australian democracy, including elections, the formation of governments and the balance of power.
Level 7/8 - Government & Democracy Knowledge and Understanding: Students learn about how citizens participate in Australia’s democracy, including the use of the electoral system or to contact elected representatives.
Learning Intention: Today we are learning about how the election process works.
Success Criteria: I will be able to describe how government is formed and the balance of power.
In the lesson's previous we've learned about the three levels of government and how we came to Federate in Australia. Now it's time to look a little closer at voting in Australia and how this process works.
ACTIVITY - History of Voting in Australia
ACTIVITY - History of Voting in Australia
Watch the video as a class and then think, pair & share with a partner about what you felt was fair or unfair?
ACTIVITY - History of Voting Interactive
ACTIVITY - History of Voting Interactive
Either on your own or in small groups, you need to match the painting with the correct date. Once you've matched them all correctly, each frame will glow gold. In your workbooks, write down the date and title of each event.
HISTORY OF VOTING INTERACTIVE ANSWERS
HISTORY OF VOTING INTERACTIVE ANSWERS
So now we've learned about the history of voting in Australia, it's now time to learn about what this means for voting today.
ELECTION DAY
ELECTION DAY
Voting usually takes place at a government building, like a school or town hall, or places like a church. When you arrive, there might be people from a political party encouraging you to vote for the preferences their party prefers. Remember this for later, as this will be discussed again. When you get inside, you'll be asked the three questions below. If you answer "Yes" to question three, then you cannot vote again. How to vote will also be explained soon enough.
Write down the heading and the three questions you're asked on voting day in your workbook.
Click to learn about Compulsory Voting
Click to learn about Compulsory Voting
PREFERENTIAL VOTING
PREFERENTIAL VOTING
Preferential voting is Australia's method for electing its representatives. It's very different to the 'First Past the Post' system that America uses. In Australia, you need more than 50% of the vote to win the election. But what if there's four candidates who each get 25% of the initial vote? Well, it comes down to the second, third or perhaps fourth preferences on the ballot papers of the voters. The video below will explain this further.
NOTE-TAKING ACTIVITY
NOTE-TAKING ACTIVITY
As you watch the video, make notes about preferential voting. Afterwards, you should be able to tell a peer next to you what preferential voting is.
Reflection Questions
Reflection Questions
Why is it important that citizens participate in voting, for both the person and the country?
What did you learn about minority groups and voting today?
How does preferential voting make the voting process more fair and get to an outcome more easily?
Lesson 2: The Role of Elected Representatives.
Lesson 2: The Role of Elected Representatives.
Level 7/8 - Government & Democracy Knowledge and Understanding: Students learn about the role of political parties and independent representatives in Australian democracy, including elections, the formation of governments and the balance of power.
Level 7/8 - Government & Democracy Knowledge and Understanding: Students learn about how citizens participate in Australia’s democracy, including the use of the electoral system or to contact elected representatives.
Learning Intention: Today we are learning about how the people elected represent their electorate.
Success Criteria: I will be able to describe what the people elected do in the council or government.
Do Now: You've voted. So what next?
Do Now: You've voted. So what next?
Read the information in the link below ...
ACTIVITY 1 - KNOW YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
ACTIVITY 1 - KNOW YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
Use the link below to access the map to the left. Find the following information about the elected officials for where you live. Write these in your workbook.
Who is currently the sitting member or councilor for:
State Parliament
Upper House Region
Lower House District
What is your:
Local Council
Council
Council Ward
Who are the councilors for your ward?
THINK, PAIR & SHARE
THINK, PAIR & SHARE
What are the biggest issues for you in your region, district or council ward? Reflect on our previous Place and Liveability work. What issues within our community were you seeking to address? Share these with a peer and then share these with your teacher. Your teacher will brainstorm these on the board.
Consider the idea of local, state or federal government from Week 1.
Your teacher will help you understand which level of government is responsible for helping you with your issue.
What action would you take to let your representative know of your issue?
Make a note of what members do (below) in your workbook.
ACTIVITY 2 - LETTER TO AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE
ACTIVITY 2 - LETTER TO AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE
Write a letter to the elected representative responsible for the region, district or council directly related to the issue. In your letter you need to explain:
Who you are
The issue affecting you and your community
Why it's an important issue
What the benefit will be to the community
Don't forget a greeting and a thank you.
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