Government

= Making Informed Choices - Democracy = = Stage 3 =

Key Words:

 * ** government ** ||= ==== ====
 * ** citizenship ** ||= ==== ====
 * ** democracy ** ||
 * ** parliament ** ||= ==== ====
 * ** elections ** ||= ==== ====
 * ** politics ** ||
 * ** parliament ** ||= ==== ====
 * ** elections ** ||= ==== ====
 * ** politics ** ||

Can you think of other key words?

The key to our government is democracy, below is one definition: Democracy: A democracy is a system of [|government] where the people elect [|representatives] to govern for them.  This definition comes from http://www.peo.gov.au/students/gloss_cd.html#D check it out for other definitions

PEO Fact Sheet Series links to fact sheets on many aspects of government - eg. Passing a Bill, Parliament House and the Coat of Arms



** Encyclopedias- Dictionaries: **
kidcyber an online Australian student encyclopedia - easy to read with basic information and some extra links. FactMonster [] Don't forget you can access Britanica online at Hurstville Library's website and World Book Online at Kogarah Library's website BUT you must be a member of the library to use them :-)

** Libra ** ry Catalogues
Use keywords to help locate resources in the catalogues **Hurstville South PS Library Catalogue ** - you can find out what we have from home - just log into the DET Portal!

Georges River Public Libraries

** Book ** s :
There are books on Australia's Government in the library. Look in the non-fiction section for books numbered in the 350s and 994. Remember you can also try Hurstville, Penshurst, Oatley and South Hurstville Public libraries for a bigger selection of books Below are some of the titles you may find:

352.23 BRA Brasch, N. 2008 //**So you want to be Prime Minister?**// This excellent book provides everything you ever wanted to know about Australia's prime ministers, including interesting trivia. Covers all prime ministers including Kevin Rudd with great illustrations.

994.04 BRU Bruce, J. 1996 **//Prime ministers of Australia//** This book is easy to use. It is a good beginning with a page devoted to each prime minister containing basic information.

Turning Points in History - Democracy in Greece a short YouTube clip looking at where democracy came from and what it looks like to day. They give examples of when when women and African Americans were allowed to vote in America- find out when women and Indigenous Australians were allowed to vote in Australia.....
 * Videoclips: **

What is Parliament - and other short video clips on the Australian Parliament from the Parliamentary Education Office.

Log into the DET Portal and go to Scootle. Use these codes to help find more information for our unit:
 * Scootle resources: **
 * X033Z** Should People Rule? Democracy, it's beginnings and now.....
 * X00NS** Parliament vs Monarch - a look at how we came to have a Constitutional Monarch
 * X00YT** Discovering Democracy: Law - a look at Indigenous rights in Australia - in particular the development of Land Rights


 * These resources are just a beginning...**
 * You can also do your own search of Scootle resources to find out other information you might need.**
 * login to Scootle via the DEC Portal.**

[|ABC Spash] and GetSmarts - Australia as a Nation - 2 comprehensive sites with many resources collected
 * Websites: **

Below is just a sample of useful websites on this topic:

Types of Government:
CBBC - Newsround Find out the different types of government and read a **__brief__** description of what they are. kidcyber- forms of government - another easy to read list of different types of government with a __**brief**__ description of what they are. CIA Fact Book - information on different countries including //type of governmen//t they have. It lists important information such as //Head of State// and //Leader of the Government.// It also gives information on //elections// and //opposition parties// - this is important because sometimes countries call themselves democratic but don't allow opposition parties -mso you need to look carefully at all the information you need!

Democracy
Documenting Democracy This site presents 110 key documents that are the foundation of our nation. Read the secret orders given to Captain Cook to look for Australia, see a sketch of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour and find out much more!

Symbols of Australia
It's an Honour - Australian Government website looking at the different symbols of our nation.

Other websites to look at: CSU Guide to Australia - The Australian Flag - make sure you look at the Elements of the Flag link!

aiatsis- the Aboriginal Flag Find out what it represents and when it became an official Flag of Australia

CSU Guide to Australia - State Flags and Emblems

About Australia - the National Anthem

KidCyber - Flag, Anthem and Emblems of Australia - easy to read basic information, don't forget to check out their links
 * Don't forget:**

[[image:parliament.jpg width="192" height="128"]]
Parliamentary Education Office Australian Federal Government website designed for students to learn about how government works in Australia. There is lots of information and many interactive activities to look at.

The Civics and Citizenship Website

The Prime Minister's website

Past Prime Ministers

National Museum of Australia - Prime Ministers This site is easy to navigate and easier to read than the other selected sites on past Prime Ministers.

Australian Dictionary of Biography Type in the name of the Prime Minister you are studying to find out more about them. This site does need a higher reading level than the National Museum of Australia site, but give it a go and see if you find out something extra!

The Governor General

State Government
The NSW state government

The NSW Parliament

Local Government
Georges River Council