Activity Overview
There are many people and groups of people who play a critical part in our governments. It is important for students to understand who these people are, what their roles are, and why they are important. For this activity, students will choose 3 people or groups of people, and create a newspaper page illustrating and describing who’s who in Canadian government.
Important People in the Canadian Government
Monarch: A sovereign head of state, i.e. a king or a queen. The current Monarch of Canada is Queen Elizabeth II.
Head of State: A chief public representative of a country.
Head of Government: The chief officer of the executive branch of government.
The Senate: The upper house of the Parliament of Canada. The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister.
The House of Commons: The House of Commons is a democratically elected body whose members are known as members of Parliament (MPs). There have been 338 MPs since the most recent electoral district redistribution for the 2015 federal election, which saw the addition of 30 seats.
Members of Parliament: Members of the House of Commons.
Prime Minister: The prime minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown. The prime minister acts as the head of government for Canada, chairs and selects the membership of the Cabinet, and advises the Crown on the exercise of executive power.
Governor General: The representative of the Canadian monarch.
Sovereign: The Canadian monarchy.
Lieutenant Governors: The highest ranking officer of their provinces.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a newspaper page describing three members or groups of the Canadian government and their roles.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start assignment”.
- Complete the newspaper title and date.
- Add a heading.
- In each description box, write about a person or group of people and what their roles are.
- In each picture box, create an illustration for each description using accurate characters, items, and scenes.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline and Descriptions | Students include a catchy headline for the front page as well as detailed descriptions for each event illustrated that explain what happened in a minimum of 3-5 sentences. | The headline and/or the descriptions for the events can be understood but it is somewhat unclear or too brief. | The front page is missing either the headline or descriptions of each of the events depicted. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the events using appropriate scenes, characters and items. It is clear the student took time and care in creating the illustrations. | The illustrations partially relate to the events but they are difficult to understand or appear rushed. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the key events of the story. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
Activity Overview
There are many people and groups of people who play a critical part in our governments. It is important for students to understand who these people are, what their roles are, and why they are important. For this activity, students will choose 3 people or groups of people, and create a newspaper page illustrating and describing who’s who in Canadian government.
Important People in the Canadian Government
Monarch: A sovereign head of state, i.e. a king or a queen. The current Monarch of Canada is Queen Elizabeth II.
Head of State: A chief public representative of a country.
Head of Government: The chief officer of the executive branch of government.
The Senate: The upper house of the Parliament of Canada. The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister.
The House of Commons: The House of Commons is a democratically elected body whose members are known as members of Parliament (MPs). There have been 338 MPs since the most recent electoral district redistribution for the 2015 federal election, which saw the addition of 30 seats.
Members of Parliament: Members of the House of Commons.
Prime Minister: The prime minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown. The prime minister acts as the head of government for Canada, chairs and selects the membership of the Cabinet, and advises the Crown on the exercise of executive power.
Governor General: The representative of the Canadian monarch.
Sovereign: The Canadian monarchy.
Lieutenant Governors: The highest ranking officer of their provinces.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a newspaper page describing three members or groups of the Canadian government and their roles.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start assignment”.
- Complete the newspaper title and date.
- Add a heading.
- In each description box, write about a person or group of people and what their roles are.
- In each picture box, create an illustration for each description using accurate characters, items, and scenes.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline and Descriptions | Students include a catchy headline for the front page as well as detailed descriptions for each event illustrated that explain what happened in a minimum of 3-5 sentences. | The headline and/or the descriptions for the events can be understood but it is somewhat unclear or too brief. | The front page is missing either the headline or descriptions of each of the events depicted. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the events using appropriate scenes, characters and items. It is clear the student took time and care in creating the illustrations. | The illustrations partially relate to the events but they are difficult to understand or appear rushed. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the key events of the story. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
How Tos about Who\'s Who in Canadian Government
Organize a collaborative classroom government simulation
Engage students in a hands-on simulation where they role-play various positions in the Canadian government. This approach helps learners better understand each role by acting them out in a fun, interactive way.
Assign students specific government roles
Distribute role cards (e.g., Prime Minister, Senator, MP, Governor General) to students. Encourage them to research and embrace the responsibilities of their assigned roles for the simulation.
Facilitate a mock parliamentary session
Set up your classroom to mimic the House of Commons and Senate. Guide students as they debate and vote on a sample bill, reinforcing how decisions are made in government.
Reflect on the experience as a class
Lead a class discussion afterward to debrief what students learned about the different government roles and the importance of collaboration in Canadian governance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Who\'s Who in Canadian Government
Who are the key people in the Canadian government?
Key people in the Canadian government include the Monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II), the Governor General (the Monarch's representative), the Prime Minister (head of government), Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons, Senators in the Senate, and Lieutenant Governors in each province.
What is the difference between the House of Commons and the Senate in Canada?
The House of Commons is a democratically elected chamber where Members of Parliament (MPs) represent Canadians, while the Senate is the upper house with appointed members who review and suggest changes to legislation passed by the House of Commons.
What does the Governor General do in the Canadian government?
The Governor General acts as the representative of the Monarch in Canada, carrying out ceremonial duties, signing bills into law, and ensuring the continuity of government.
How do students create a newspaper page about Canadian government roles?
Students should choose three key people or groups in the Canadian government, write a description of each person's role, and include an illustration for each on their newspaper page, following the assignment instructions.
What is the role of the Prime Minister in Canada?
The Prime Minister of Canada is the head of government, responsible for leading the executive branch, selecting Cabinet members, and advising the Monarch on national matters.
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