HASS · Foundation · Our Community and Celebrations · Term 3

Australian Parliament: Structure and Function

Exploring the structure of the Australian Parliament (House of Representatives, Senate) and how laws are made.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HC7K01

About This Topic

Special Days and Holidays investigates the diverse range of celebrations that occur within the Australian community. Students explore why certain days are significant to individuals, families, and cultural groups (AC9HASSFK03). This includes personal milestones like birthdays, religious festivals such as Diwali, Easter, or Eid, and national days. The focus is on the 'how' and 'why' of celebration, the food, clothing, music, and rituals that make these days special.

Learning about different holidays fosters intercultural understanding and respect. It allows students to share their own traditions while discovering the rich variety of ways their classmates experience the world. This topic is particularly suited to 'Gallery Walks' and 'Show and Tell' formats, where the sensory and festive nature of holidays can be shared through artifacts and stories.

Key Questions

1. Describe the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the Australian Parliament.
2. Explain the process of how a bill becomes a law in Australia.
3. Analyze the importance of checks and balances within the parliamentary system.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the two houses of the Australian Parliament and their primary roles.
• Explain the sequence of steps a proposed law follows to become an Act of Parliament.
• Compare the functions of the House of Representatives and the Senate in law-making.
• Describe how different groups can influence the creation of laws.

Before You Start

Community Helpers

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of people who have roles and responsibilities within a community to grasp the concept of elected representatives.

Rules in Our Lives

Why: Understanding that rules exist and are important for order is necessary before learning how laws are made.

Key Vocabulary

Parliament	The group of elected people who make laws for Australia. It is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
House of Representatives	One of the two parts of Parliament. Members are elected to represent different areas called electorates. This is often called the 'people's house'.
Senate	The other part of Parliament. Senators are elected to represent entire states or territories. It is often called the 'house of review'.
Bill	A proposed law that has been introduced to Parliament. It must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can become a law.
Law	A rule made by Parliament that everyone in Australia must follow. Once a bill is passed by Parliament and approved, it becomes a law.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Students may think that everyone celebrates the same holidays they do.

What to Teach Instead

Use a 'Class Celebration Calendar' where every student adds their own special day. Seeing the calendar filled with different names and dates helps students realize that 'special' means different things to different people.

Common Misconception

Children might believe that holidays are only about getting presents.

What to Teach Instead

Focus on the 'Togetherness' aspect. Through role play and discussion, emphasize the stories, the family gathering, and the shared food. This shifts the focus from consumerism to the cultural significance of the day.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: Celebration Stations

Set up tables with items from different holidays (e.g., a Diya lamp, a Christmas cracker, a red envelope). Students move in small groups to each table, using their senses to explore the items and guessing what kind of celebration they are for.

30 min·Small Groups

Role Play: Preparing for the Big Day

In small groups, students act out the 'preparation' for a special day, such as cleaning the house, cooking a special meal, or putting on traditional clothes. The rest of the class tries to identify the feeling of 'excitement' being portrayed.

20 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: My Favourite Holiday Food

Students think of a food they only eat on a special day. They describe the taste and smell to a partner without naming the food, and the partner tries to imagine it.

15 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Students can learn about their local Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives, such as Fiona Martin for Reid or Josh Wilson for Fremantle, and understand that this person represents their community's views in Canberra.
• The process of a bill becoming a law can be connected to everyday rules. For example, a school rule about wearing hats outside might start as a suggestion, be discussed by school leaders, and then officially adopted, similar to how a bill is debated and changed before becoming a law.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Show students pictures of the House of Representatives and the Senate chambers. Ask them to write down one thing they remember about the job of each house on a sticky note. Collect and review for understanding of basic roles.

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a simple flowchart template showing a bill moving through Parliament. Ask them to fill in the blanks for 'Introduced in House', 'Debated and Voted', 'Goes to Senate', 'Approved by Senate', and 'Becomes Law'. Review for correct sequencing.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Why do you think Australia has two houses of Parliament instead of just one?' Guide students to discuss the idea of review and different perspectives, linking it to the Senate's role. Record key student ideas on the board.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I teach about religious holidays in a secular school?

Focus on the 'Cultural' and 'Community' aspects rather than the theology. Treat them as 'Special Days' that are important to people in our community. Use the 'I see, I wonder' approach to encourage curiosity and respect for different practices without endorsing any specific belief system.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching about holidays?

Creating 'Celebration Artifacts' like lanterns, cards, or decorations is very effective. Active learning through 'Celebration Simulations', where the class holds a mini-version of a festival, allows students to experience the music, food, and joy of a culture firsthand.

How can I ensure I am being culturally sensitive when teaching this?

Always start by asking the families in your class how they celebrate. Avoid 'tokenism' by using authentic resources and voices. If possible, invite parents to lead a small activity or share a story, making them the experts of their own traditions.

How does this topic connect to the 'History' strand of HASS?

It teaches students about 'Significance', why we remember certain events. It also helps them understand that traditions are a way of keeping the past alive in the present, which is a core historical concept.