Simulate Parliament in the Classroom

Bring Australian civics to life through debate and decision-making.

Teaching context:
Perfect for upper primary or lower secondary Civics and Citizenship units, especially when teaching democratic processes.

Basic AI Prompt:
Create a classroom simulation of Parliament.

Enhanced AI Prompt:
Generate a step-by-step plan for simulating Parliament in a Year 6 classroom. Include roles, a sample bill, procedures and how to run a class vote.

Spice it up:
Ask for printable role cards or a mock Hansard document template.

Lesson implementation:
Begin with a short explainer on how Parliament works. Use the AI-generated script to assign roles such as Prime Minister, Speaker, and Members of Parliament. Introduce a classroom issue (like longer breaks or new canteen options) as the 'bill'. Students prepare short speeches and then hold a formal debate.

Voting follows in a structured session. This brings democratic processes to life and builds student voice. Scaffold with sentence starters for speeches and checklists for role responsibilities. Use this activity during Civics Week or in preparation for a visit to Parliament House. For older students, expand with local council simulations or electoral roll discussions.

Got ideas on different ways to use this prompt? Share them with the class in the comments below!

Also, if you liked this, you'll love 250 AI Prompts for Civics and Citizenship Teachers in our books section!