The Council Meeting: Local Government Teaching and Learning Unit

Year 4 

AC9HS4K08 – the roles of local government and how members of the community use and contribute to local services 

AC9HS4S05 – draw conclusions based on analysis of information 

AC9HS4S06 – propose actions or responses to an issue or challenge that consider possible effects of actions 

AC9HS4S07 – present descriptions and explanations, using ideas from sources and relevant subject-specific terms 

Year 5

AC9HS5K06 – the key values and features of Australia’s democracy, including elections, and the roles and responsibilities of elected representatives 

AC9HS5K07 – how citizens (members of communities) with shared beliefs and values work together to achieve a civic goal 

AC9HS5S05 – develop evidence-based conclusions 

AC9HS5S06 – propose actions or responses to issues or challenges and use criteria to assess the possible effects 

AC9HS5S07 – present descriptions and explanations, drawing ideas, findings and viewpoints from sources, and using relevant terms and conventions 

Year 6

AC9HS6K07 – the roles and responsibilities of the 3 levels of government in Australia 

AC9HS6S05 – develop evidence-based conclusions 

AC9HS6S06 – propose actions or responses to issues or challenges and use criteria to assess the possible effects 

AC9HS6S07 – present descriptions and explanations, drawing ideas, findings and viewpoints from sources, and using relevant terms and conventions 

Local Government Teaching and Learning Unit PDF

Faces of local government poster  

Council meeting script – Word Doc

Council meeting script – PDF

Minute-taking document template – Word Doc

Minute-taking document template – PDF

Council meeting chamber diagram – Word Doc

Council meeting chamber diagram – PDF

Prepare the following ahead of this lesson:

• Print the meeting agenda and display it in the room for students to access.
• Print scripts, notes and speeches.
• Provide time for the council staff to set up the room using the Council meeting chamber diagram.
• Ensure the governance officer is provided with a way of recording the meeting minutes, such as the Minute taking document template.
• You may choose to provide students with name tags to show their council role.

Establish the expectations for the council meeting and ensure each student understands their role and its responsibilities and boundaries. Use the Faces of local government poster to support this conversation.

In the “council meeting chamber”, ask the class to be seated in the public area, the staff to sit in the staff seats and the councillors and mayor to stand at the doorway, ready to walk in. Invite the elected members in to take their seats. The council meeting is led by the mayor, following the prepared script. The governance officer records the notes and the students participate when indicated by the mayor.

Once the meeting is concluded, pack up the room and then come together as a class to reflect on the experience. Did everyone feel empowered? Were students happy with the decision-making process? Would they want to be in a different role if you were to do it again?

Let students know that in the next lesson they will take time to get active in local government. They should start thinking about the initiatives, issues or ideas they would like brought to their council’s notice ahead of that lesson.