A lesson examining the principles of the UK constitution including parliamentary sovereignty, rule of law, parliamentary government, the constitutional monarchy and EU membership and the impact of these on the UK constitution.
Revision aid for pupils for parliament topic examining the roles of parliament covering;
1. The two-House system
2. Checking the work of government
3. Legislation
4. Debate
5. Rules and customs
6. Traditions of parliament
7. Parliament and government
8. Parliament and crown
9. Devolved Parliaments and assemblies
10. Europe
11. Evolution of Parliament
Lesson introducing the separation of powers - building on the knowledge of checks and balances to investigate whether 'separate' institutions is a more fitting description than 'separate' powers.
Independent Research Task for pupils to research key landmark cases and rulings and then present to class. Handout gives brief summary of each case.
Quiz can be used as a plenary/independent homework task.
Lesson introducing the concept of judicial review and then progressing to a more in depth examination of how it has been used, and if it was the intention of the framers of the constitution to include judicial review. Includes group activity for pupils to interpret supreme court rulings.
Lesson introducing the members of the Supreme Court and their ideological leanings (introduces judicial activism and judicial restraint) with a exam style question asking whether the Roberts' court is balanced.
Lesson introducing the idea of federalism and its effects on the USA (accompanied by a 'rough guide' handout that can be used as homework before or after the lesson to prepare/consolidate).
Lesson examining the relationship between the federal government and state governments, accompanied by a handout pupils can make more detailed notes using)