Civics and citizenship / Year 8 / Civics and Citizenship Skills / Questioning and research

• TLF-IDM019883

It's illegal to ride a bike without a helmet in Australia. Sue Abbott and Dr Jake Olivier differ on this issue. This video is designed for students presents both points of view as a stimulus for students to reach their own conclusions. The video discusses how laws are made and explores different points of view on whether ...

• TLF-IDM019882

This is a resource about the Magna Carta (Great Charter) agreed between King John and his rebellious barons in 1215 and its influence on the development of human rights and democratic freedoms to the present day. The resource consists of: an animated infographic ‘Tell the story’ with hyperlinks to further information; an ...

• TLF-IDM020289

This is a video of a bill being passed through the Australian Parliament. The video shows teachers and students how a law is made and details the law-making process in the Australian Parliament. It is supported with a diagram that illustrates the process and a downloadable fact sheet.

• TLF-IDM009447

This is an extended sequence of lessons about the influence citizens can exert over government. The lessons focus on three topics: issues important to our class and the local community; the role of interest groups in Australia; and the role of interest groups in key issues in Australian history such as equal voting rights ...

• TLF-IDM025386

Annabel Crabb explains some of the rules that guide the House of Representatives – also known as the Lower House – where Members of Parliament argue about and vote on new laws for Australia. Why would a politician hold paper over his or her head when speaking in the Lower House? What happens when all the clocks in the building ...

• TLF-IDM025279

The activities and assessments in the unit will help develop students’ understanding of how citizens can participate in a democratic society and the different types of law.

• TLF-IDM013949

This is a web resource about forming partnerships with families, community organisations and the justice system to facilitate a consistent approach to safety and wellbeing in schools. It describes four characteristics of these partnerships and includes key practices and effective actions for working with families, local ...

• TLF-IDM009452

This is a unit of work about constitutions and how they embody a particular view of the common good. Intended for lower and middle secondary students, the unit involves students taking on a particular individual perspective and working in jigsaw groups to draw up a constitution and vote on each of its provisions. The various ...

• TLF-IDM025385

The Senate’s job is to "check the work" of the House of Representatives and make sure the laws they’ve made are fair. But what happens when the Senate and the House of Representatives disagree? Annabel Crabb explains the process of writing and approving amendments; the rituals of official business; and how the Lamson tube works.

• TLF-IDM025123

The representatives elected to federal Parliament make decisions that affect many aspects of Australian life including tax, marriage, the environment, trade and immigration. This 28 page PDF document explains the history of Australia’s electoral system and how it works, Australia’s system of government and the role citizens ...