Citizenship Lesson Plans / KS4 - Politics - 4 lessons / Politics Lesson Plan 1 - Local Politics

Connect the Learning

This lesson is one of four lessons on different sorts of government – local, central and the European Parliament. The lessons can be linked to each other, or used individually with a little adaptation.

The Big Picture

Government is a complicated and dry subject for students to absorb. In this lesson we use a PowerPoint presentation of visual prompts and clues to make it more fun.

Learning Outcomes

Students are introduced to the work of local government and the way in which it affects their lives. During the session they should understand the importance of playing a part in democratic processes at a local level, and what opportunities there are for individuals to bring about social change. They will contribute to class and group discussion and debate.

Introduction

Start by introducing the concept of local government to the students. If they have previously done any of the Teaching-Resource-UK Citizenship Local Action lessons they will have some idea about it. Otherwise you will need to introduce the following concepts:

Local government means your local council, which runs local services.

Councillors are different from members of parliament (MPs), who represent their constituency (people in the local area) at a national level in the Houses of Parliament.

Local councillors are elected during local elections. MPs are elected by local people in a general election.