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Rationale
This unit plan was created for a Grade 5 level and explores the workings and purpose of the three different levels of government in Australia. This unit
assumes that students have prior knowledge from previous units of civics and citizenship and that they have a basic understanding of laws and some
knowledge of government. The unit follows the Victorian Curriculum and builds towards students having a thorough knowledge and understanding of
democracy, voting and government in Australia.
This unit was created using the Understanding by Design model, meaning that the final understandings and conclusions we wanted students to come to by
the end of the unit were formed and then we worked backwards to plan lessons and activities that would guide them to success and new found
understandings. The aim of this framework is to help students understand the big ideas and make meaning of their learning (Wiggins, & McTighe, 2011). It is
also believed that trying to cover lots of information with little depth fails to prepare students for future learning experiences and does little to develop their
knowledge. It is clear that we have chosen a depth not breadth approach to the learning and this can be seen by our careful selection and deep exploration
of topics, such as the learning of how laws are made and passed in government. This learning spans over the entire unit, increasing in complexity and depth
as the unit progresses.
Wiggins and McTighe (2011) go on to explain that learning that is experiential has the most chance of engaging students and for them to remember the
experience and therefore store the information in their memory. We have strived to achieve this through our authentic learning experience of holding question
time in the classroom through role play. Giving students the opportunity to take on roles of responsibility and setting up the classroom in an interactive way
encourages a positive learning experience.
Inquiry learning allows students to be both problem posers and problem solvers. It encourages thinking and connecting learning to the world around us. The
following inquiry unit allows students to pose their own questions and then investigate them, demonstrate what they have learnt and apply this knowledge to
role plays in the classroom (Wilson & Jan, 2003). Because of the independence granted to students through opportunities like writing down their own
wonderings to research they are being given the opportunity to expand on what they already know and develop skills and understandings independently.
These are all key factors in the theory of inquiry units (Wilson & Jan, 2003).
By the end of this unit students will have reached their learning goals through scaffolded and engaging lessons which include authentic learning experiences
and in depth exploration of curriculum content descriptors.
Discuss the values, principles and Students will be able to independently use their learning to
institutions that underpin Develop an understanding of Australias electoral process, and identify and explain the key values that underpin
Australias democratic forms of our democratic government, thus consolidating their acquired knowledge in regards to the various government
government and explain how this officials, making joint decisions to achieve shared goals.
system is influenced by the
Westminster system Meaning
(VCCCG008)
Describe the roles and UNDERSTANDINGS ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
responsibilities of the three levels Various values and principles underpin Australias
of government, including shared democratic government, and the Westminster system has What is the Westminster system and
roles and responsibilities within influence and involvement in ours. how does it shape the way that
Australia's federal What question time is and how it allows for fair and government is run in Australia?
system(VCCCG009) reasonable discussion of policy to hold the government Why arent the three levels of
Identify and discuss the key accountable. government involved in every
features of the Australian electoral Different levels of government are responsible for selected government decision or event.
process (VCCCG010) situations and events. Why do we enforce the voting in of
Identify the roles and Being an Australian citizen allows for an opinion to the government officials by the Australian
responsibilities of electors and Australian democratic system. public?
representatives in Australia's
democracy(VCCCG011) Acquisition
Students will know Students will be skilled at
The Westminster System - what it is, what it does and its
influence on Australia. Researching government roles.
The three levels of Australian government and their roles Documenting data relating to various
and responsibilities. systems that work alongside the
What it means to be an Australian citizen, and how to vote Australian government.
responsibly. Using sources to form an opinion and
solution to a problem.
Stage 2 - Evidence
Wilson, J., & Jan, L. (2003). Focus on Inquiry. Curriculum Corporation Victoria.
Appendices
Appendix One: Before and After worksheet
BEFORE (agree or STATEMENT AFTER (agree or
disagree) disagree)
The Westminster system works closely with the Australian government and is a
policy created by Asia.
There are 3 levels of government all of which are responsible for different
situations.
The three levels of government never work together for the same issue.
Roles of this level of Roles of responsibilities of Some roles and responsibilities Roles and responsibilities of
government and their government clearly identified and are identified, needed more government are not outlined.
responsibilities explained in detail. detail.
Interactive and vibrant Presentation is eye catching and Presentation could use some Presentation unsatisfactory
presentation within time limit. within time limit. more detail and within/outside
time limit
2 so whats: Two bits of information that are relevant to you/the school/the community
Students will draw one of the following roles and responsibilities out of a hat and answer questions (listed above) about their
chosen role.
1. Federal governments are responsible for making laws
2. Governments are responsible for building news roads and making sure existing roads are safe
3. Governments are responsible for providing healthcare to citizens
4. Governments are responsible for providing education
5. Governments are responsible for protecting the environment