Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

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British Columbia Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy

Lesson Plan

Printable Version Printable Version (PDF) 

Title

The Structure of British Columbia’s Government

Audience

Social Studies 11

  • designed to be used in conjunction with Chapter 9 -12 of text Counterpoints: Exploring Canadian Issues

Overview

This review activity is intended as a pre-assessment tool. The format is a “card game” centred around a “Jeopardy” type of task designed to review pertinent information on the subject of the three branches of B.C.’s government.

Objectives

  1. To create a competitive, fun medium for students to review key aspects of our democratic system of governance.
  2. To fine tune and review political terminologies and processes in B.C.’s governance structure.
  3. To provide a game format that is student centred and engages participants.
  4. To serve as a review activity for future assessment.

Duration of activity

Approximately thirty-five (35) minutes or until all cards have been used.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will have conducted an extensive review of key points and terminologies associated with B.C.’s structure of government.
  2. Students will have an enhanced understanding of the inner workings of our democratic system.

Materials and Resources

  • 10 decks of laminated cards numbered from 1 to 48
  • 10 sets of questions numbered from 1 to 48
  • 10 sets of answer sheets numbered 1 to 48
  • Teacher based handouts, audio-visual materials, and discussion related to Chapters 9 through 12 of Counterpoints: Exploring Canadian Issues

Evaluation of activity

Level of participation by students. Overall improvement shown in test scores.

Submitted By

Lea Sutherland, Princess Margaret Secondary School
Gerry Bond, South Kamloops Secondary School

NOTE: The ideas and opinions expressed in this classroom activity belong to their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The Public Education and Outreach office only edits for clarity.


Appendix – Handouts

Rules of the Game

Objective:

To collect the most “number” cards.

Game Players:

For 3 to 4 players

Supplies:

  1. 48 numbered cards clearly numbered from “1” to “48” (lamination is recommended for future use).
  2. One “question sheet” with 48 related questions (short, concise questions advised) labeled on back with “Q”
  3. Answer sheet with numbered 1 – 48 answers to corresponding question sheet.

Game Rules:

  1. Players sit in desks arranged facing each other in a square.
  2. Number cards are spread randomly face down on desk.
  3. The game starts with each player drawing a number card and the player with the highest number takes control of the question sheet (face down).
  4. The player to the right of the “questioner” is given the Answer sheet (face down).
  5. The player with the question sheet draws a number randomly from the pile on the desk.
  6. S/he reads the corresponding question and the person sitting to their left has the first opportunity to respond.
  7. The player may respond or “PASS” by saying pass if they are unsure of the answer.
  8. If a PASS is given the next player to the right has a chance to respond and win the card by saying “CHALLENGE”. If the player responds correctly, they receive the card and if they respond incorrectly they must return a card to the USED pile or owe a card payable when they collect one.
  9. If the player chooses to PASS also then the game proceeds to the next player on the right until it returns to the “questioner” when the round ends.
  10. At the end of a round, the question and answer sheet move face down one player to the left and the questioning begins again.

NOTE: No card is awarded until all players have “played” in the round.

  1. The game ends when all the cards have been chosen and all questions asked or a prescribed time has expired.
  2. Play is moved to the left after each round.

Notes:

If the first respondent gives what other players consider to be the correct answer, they should PASS to complete the round.

If a “CHALLENGER” gives an incorrect answer then that player loses or owes a card. A “PASSING” player does not receive or owe a card.

 

 

Questions for the Structure of British Columbia’s Government

  1. What object is the symbol of authority of the Legislative Assembly and the Speaker?
  2. What name is given to the leader of the political party who wins the second largest number of seats in the Provincial legislature?
  3. What position represents the Head of State at the Provincial level of government?
  4. Who presides over the Committee of the Whole?
  5. What Officer of the House is responsible for maintaining the security for the legislative precinct?
  6. What Officer of the House is responsible for maintaining “order” in the Chamber?
  7. What action/gesture by the Lieutenant Governor indicates “Royal Assent”?
  8. What happens to a Bill between the second reading and third reading?
  9. What are the three branches of government?
  10. Name the highest court in the Provincial hierarchy of courts.
  11. In the Chamber, the government sits on which side of the Speaker?
  12. How far apart are the rows of desks in B.C.’s Legislative Chamber?
  13. What name is given to the leader of the party who wins the most seats in the Provincial Legislature?
  14. Name the current Premier of B.C.
  15. Name the Speaker of the B.C Legislature.
  16. What process ends a Parliament?
  17. In what city is the Provincial Legislature located?
  18. What Officer of the House provides procedural and legal advice?
  19. What is the Executive Council commonly known as?
  20. Who appoints the First Minister?
  21. What body is responsible for drafting an idea into a Bill?
  22. What is the name given to the line by line debate of the government’s spending plans?
  23. Who lives in Government House in Victoria, B.C.?
  24. What name is given to the head justice of the Supreme Court of B.C.?
  25. What name is given to a government that has more than 50% of the seats in the Legislative Assembly?
  26. What is the name given to the barricade at the front of the Chamber?
  27. How many years of service are normally guaranteed the Lieutenant Governor of B.C.?
  28. Who is responsible for the care and custody of the Mace?
  29. By what process is the Speaker of the House selected?
  30. What English King’s action has effectively barred non-members from the Legislative Chamber?
  31. Who is considered the “watch-dog” of Parliament?
  32. What name is given to the daily agenda of the Legislative Assembly?
  33. What 30 minute session in the Legislature is the period for “oral questions by members”?
  34. What is the bill called when proposed by an individual MLA?
  35. What document is tabled that sets out the Government’s proposed spending plans?
  36. By what process is debate on a bill suspended and left to a later date for debate?
  37. How many MLA’s are there currently in B.C.?
  38. Who can vote in the House to break a tie?
  39. What is the name given to a bill that has had three readings, but not yet received Royal Assent?
  40. What name is given to a bill that has passed three readings and received Royal Assent?
  41. Who is the head of the Executive Council?
  42. What are members of the Legislative Assembly called who are not in the Cabinet?
  43. What is another name for a “riding”?
  44. What is the name given to the official report of the House?
  45. Who reads the Speech from the Throne?
  46. What name is given to the MLA who is responsible for choosing the daily business in the House?
  47. What member of the Legislative Assembly is responsible for keeping their party members informed about House business and ensure attendance in the House?
  48. Name the current Lieutenant Governor of B.C.

 

 

Answers to the Structure of Government Game

  1. Mace
  2. Leader of the Opposition
  3. Lieutenant Governor
  4. Deputy Speaker
  5. Sergeant-at-Arms
  6. Speaker of the House
  7. Nod of the Head
  8. Committee Stage
  9. Executive, Legislative, Judicial
  10. B.C. Court of Appeal
  11. right hand side
  12. Traditionally, two and one half sword lengths
  13. Premier
  14. Hon. Gordon Campbell
  15. Hon. Bill Barisoff
  16. dissolution
  17. Victoria
  18. The Clerk of the House
  19. Cabinet
  20. Lieutenant Governor of B.C.
  21. Legislative Council
  22. Estimates
  23. Lieutenant Governor of B.C.
  24. Chief Justice
  25. Majority Government
  26. Bar of the House
  27. Five
  28. Sergeant-at-Arms
  29. Secret ballot by all MLA’s
  30. King Charles I
  31. Opposition
  32. Orders of the Day
  33. Question Period
  34. Private Members’ Bill
  35. Budget
  36. Adjournment
  37. Eighty-five
  38. Speaker
  39. Act
  40. Statute
  41. Premier
  42. Private Members or Backbenchers
  43. Constituency
  44. Hansard
  45. Lieutenant Governor of B.C.
  46. House Leader
  47. Whip
  48. The Honourable Steven L. Point

 

 

48 Game Cards  

Game Cards

 
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