Story of Our Rights and Freedoms - The Balance of Power

In this Finding Out lesson, students will explore the concept of the balance of power and the three arms of government that maintain this balance: The Legislature, The Executive and The Judiciary. Students will work in teams to research articles of the Constitution, and will use a graphic organiser to illustrate their understanding of the connection between the three arms of government, the Australian Constitution and our rights and freedoms.

Essential questions:

• How is governmental power is kept in check?
• What happens if governmental power is not kept in check?
• What is the connection between the balance of power and rights and freedoms?