Lesson Plan

Printable Version (PDF) 

Title

Who's Who and What Do They Do?

Audience

Grades 5 - 11

Overview

To clarify the roles and responsibilities of the people involved in the parliamentary process after watching them in action at the B.C. Legislature.

Objectives

• To become familiar with the participants in B.C.’s parliamentary process and their roles.
• To use their knowledge about the players in Parliament to better understand how the whole process comes together and works as a unit.

Activities and Method

1. As a class generate a list of people that the students saw in the House and write the list on the front board.
2. Hand out the Who Am I? Clue Worksheet
3. Working in groups, try to match the list of people generated on the front board to the clues described in the Clue Worksheet.
4. Go over the Clue Worksheet together to ensure accuracy.

Extension Ideas

5. Assign or let the students’ choose one of the roles to do further research.
6. Act out a Question Period with each student performing a role in the Legislature.

Preparation (by teacher and by students)

1. Students would have been given background information about the provincial Legislature and how government works in the province.
2. Students will have already participated in a field trip to the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, B.C., and taken a guided tour, as well as had seats in the public gallery to witness Question Period first-hand; OR students will be shown clips of Question Period from the website under Discover Your Legislature or clips of Question Period produced by Hansard in the archives on the website.

Duration of Activity

• 1-2 periods

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the levels, responsibilities, and the election of government in Canada.

Materials and Resources

• Discover Your Legislature – A Guide to The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia CD or access it through the website at http://www.leg.bc.ca
• Who's Who and What Do They Do? Clues Worksheet and Answer Key

Evaluation of Activity

• Check for oral understanding
• If you choose to do an extension activity, provide an appropriate assessment rubric or evaluation sheet

Submitted By

Anna Welle, Pacific Christian School, Victoria
Robert Boates, Qualicum Beach Elementary School, School District #69 (Qualicum)
Kate Richer, Saltspring Centre Elementary School, Saltspring Island
Kyla Miller, Terry Fox Secondary School, School District # 43 (Coquitlam)
Susan Noble, AS Matheson Elementary School, School District 23 ( Central Okanagan)

NOTE: The ideas and opinions expressed in this classroom activity belong to their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The Public Education and Outreach office only edits for clarity.

Appendix – Handouts

Printable Version of Clues Worksheet (PDF)

Who’s Who and What Do They Do?

Clues Worksheet

Name: _________________

Printable Version of Teacher Answer Key (PDF)

Who’s Who and What Do They Do?

Teacher Answer Key

Opposition Member of the Legislative Assembly

I bring the needs of the people in my community to the government.

I sit to the left of the Speaker in the Legislature.

I question and challenge the government’s decisions and actions.

Leader of the Opposition

I take the lead in suggesting another way to run the province than the current government.

If my party wins the next election, I will be the Premier.

I sit directly across from the Premier in the Legislature.

Clerk

I assist the Speaker in making sure that the rules of the House are followed.

I am the official time keeper for Question Period.

I look after all records and documents that result from the work in the Legislative Assembly.

Cabinet Minister

I am part of the Executive Council, chosen by my Premier.

People refer to me as Honourable.

I make more money than the regular MLAs.

I often respond to the Oppositions’ questions.

Lieutenant Governor

I live in Government House.

I am the Queen’s representative in British Columbia.

I give the final approval to new laws.

You probably did not see me today.

Page

I am a high school student.

I assist MLAs in the House by getting them the things they need.

I wear a blue and grey uniform.

Speaker of the House

I keep order in the House like a referee.

I sit in the House on a large chair that looks like a throne.

I wear a black gown and white tabs.

MLAs must address their comments through me.

Premier

I am the leader of the governing party.

I choose some of my MLAs to be part of a group called Cabinet and they sit around me.

I always sit to the right of the Speaker in the Legislature.

Government Member of the Legislative Assembly

I help my community with problems.

I help the government make laws.

I always vote with the governing party.

Sergeant-at-Arms

I protect the people who work in the Parliament Buildings.

I am in control of an object which must be present when the House meets.

I remove people who are ordered out of the House.

I wear a sword.

Hansard

I provide people with information about what happens in the House.

I create videos for iPods.

I record what is said by MLAs in the House.

Press

I work in the Parliament Buildings, but I am not part of government.

I sit in the Speaker’s gallery in the House.

I write stories about the Legislature.

I ask the Premier and Cabinet Ministers questions.