Descriptions of diagrams from DIY ROle-play in the Classroom and Role-play Toolkit
Role-play strengths diagram description
This diagram illustrates that role-play has the following strengths (in no particular order):
- helps make abstract problems more concrete
- provides immediate feedback
- involves comparing and contrasting positions taken on an issue
- promotes lifelong learning
- facilitates expression of attitude and feelings
- provides opportunities to speculate on uncertainties
- develops sympathetic understandings
- involves direct experiential learning
- involves applying knowledge to solving problems
- demonstrates a practical integration of knowledge, skills and abilities
- involves manipulating knowledge in exciting ways
- facilitates learning across many areas of curriculum content.
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Committee seating plan diagram description
This diagram illustrates how to set up a classroom like a committee room.
The committee members sit beside each other on one side of a long table at the front of the room. Directly facing them is another long table where members of witness groups will sit to give evidence and answer committee questions.
Hansard sits to the left of the committee, and the media sits to the right of the committee.
Witness groups waiting to give evidence sit at separate tables towards the back of the room.
Back to DIY Role-play in the Classroom: Committee.
Diagram of House of Representatives seating plan description
This diagram illustrates how to set up a classroom like the House of Representatives chamber.
The Speaker sits at a single chair at the front of the room. The Clerk and Deputy Clerk sit in front of the Speaker, facing the rest of the room. The Clerk is on the Speaker's right, and the Deputy Clerk is on the Speaker's left.
In front of the clerks is a long table running down the room. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition sit on either side of the table, and face each other. The Prime Minister sits to the right of the Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition sits to the left of the Speaker.
The government sits behind the Prime Minister, and the opposition sits behind the Leader of the Opposition at desks arranged in a curve, so that if you could see the room from above, it would look a bit like a horseshoe or a U-shape.
Hansard sits at a separate chair in the centre of the horseshoe facing towards the Speaker and clerks.
Ministers sit on the front row of the government, and backbenchers sit behind. Shadow ministers sit on the front row of the opposition, and shadow backbenchers sit behind. Independents and minor parties sit towards the back of the chamber, making up the bottom curve of the horseshoe. They are positioned closer to the opposition than the government.
The Serjeant-at-Arms sits to the left of the Independents and minor parties.
Back to DIY Role-play in the Classroom: Law-making or DIY Role-play in the Classroom: Question Time.
Diagram of Senate seating plan description
This diagram illustrates how to set up a classroom like the Senate chamber.
The President sits at a single chair at the front of the room. The Media sit slightly behind the President to his/her left.
The Clerk and Deputy Clerk sit in front of the President, with their backs to the President, facing the rest of the room. The Clerk is on the President's right, and the Deputy Clerk on the left.
In front of the clerks is a long table running down the room. The Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate sit on either side of the table, and face each other. The Leader of the Government in the Senate sits to the right of the President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate sits to the left of the President.
The government sits behind the Prime Minister, and the opposition sits behind the Leader of the Opposition at desks arranged in a curve, so that if you could see the room from above, it would look a bit like a horseshoe or a U-shape.
The Usher of the Black Rod sits at the front of the room behind government backbenchers.
Hansard sits at a separate chair/bench in the centre of the horseshoe facing towards the President and clerks.
Ministers sit on the front row of the government, and backbenchers sit behind. Shadow ministers sit on the front row of the opposition, and shadow backbenchers sit behind. Independents and minor parties sit towards the back of the chamber, making up the bottom curve of the horseshoe. They are positioned closer to the opposition than the government.
Back to DIY Role-play in the Classroom: Law-making or DIY Role-play in the Classroom: Question Time.
Diagram of Hands-on Lesson Plan Matrix description
This diagram is a matrix of the Hands-on Lesson Plans.
The 12 Lesson Plans are divided into 6 topics:
- Political movements:
- Lesson 1. Political Parties
- Representation:
- Lesson 2. Elections
- Lesson 3. Majority Rule
- Executive government:
- Lesson 4. Three Levels of Government
- Lesson 5. Executive Decision Making
- Lesson 8. Ministerial Responsibility
- Transparency:
- Lesson 6. Accountability
- Lesson 7. Scrutiny
- Legislation:
- Lesson 10. Passing a bill in the House of Representatives
- Lesson 11. Passing a bill in the Senate
- The Constitution:
- Lesson 9. A New Federation
- Lesson 12. The Head of State.
It is recommended to complete the Lesson Plans in sequence.
Lessons 1-3 are the less challenging lessons.
Lessons 4-7 are more challenging lessons.
Lessons 8-12 are the most challenging lessons.
Back to Hands-on Lesson Plans.