Work in small groups for these activities.

First read the background information on the constitution.

Activity 1: Today's constitution

Download a copy of the 1975 Constitution by visiting www.parliament.vic.gov.au/const.html. Click on the words, 'A full copy of the Victorian Constitution Act 1975 is available here.' This is the constitution that the Parliament of Victoria uses today.

Look at the Table of Provisions (Contents) on pages i - vii and the different sections it contains. List familiar and difficult words. Discuss these difficult words and make a class glossary.

Collect the rule books or constitutions of your Junior School Council, School Council, local sporting clubs or other groups to which you or other family members belong. Discuss what these documents tell you about the way these organisations work. Ask:

• What roles or jobs are mentioned?
• What rules do they have?
• Do they have penalties if people break the rules? Why, or why not?
• How can they change their constitution?

Next read one or two paragraphs of the 1975 Constitution. Section 16 on page 32 is a good section to start with. It tells you about the purpose of parliament and what it is allowed to do. Discuss the ways in which the language that is used is different to the way you speak today and to the ways in which books are written. Talk about the ways in which the 1975 Constitution is similar to, and different from, the examples of other constitutions you have collected.

Activity 2: Our Constitution: Is it a good rule book?

Over the years changes have been made to the constitution. It is important that the constitution still does the same things as any other constitution. Does it? To find out:

• Read the Table of Provisions (Contents) for the 1975 Constitution on pages i - vii.
• Use the activity sheet, 'Parts of a Constitution'. For each statement in the left-hand column, see if you can find one, two or more examples in the 1975 Constitution. To make this an easier task, print out a copy of the Table of Provisions. Cut out the sections or parts that are examples of 'Things the Constitution does', listed in the left-hand column. Paste them in the middle column.

Activity 3: What do we know about the Constitution?: Quiz

Read the information about Victoria's constitution at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/const.html. This is a summary of the main ideas in the constitution. Look up unfamiliar words in your dictionary and discuss these with the class.

Use this text to prepare 20 questions and answers on strips of paper about Victoria's constitution. Place these in a container together with the questions prepared by other groups. Use these for a class quiz. If there is any disagreement about the answers, re-read the summary about Victoria's constitution to help you reach agreement.

Activity 4: Did the first constitution contain the same parts as the 1975 Constitution?

Next look at Victoria's first Constitution. Look at the title page and at clauses IV, IX, X, XI, XIX, XX, XXI, XXIX, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV, XXVI, LX, LXI. Work in small groups to do this activity. Discuss:

• What makes you think that this is a very important document?
• How many ways can you find in which the 1855 Constitution is similar to the 1975 Constitution? Describe these similarities in your own words.
• How many ways can you find in which they are different? Describe these differences in your own words.

Did you see how the purpose of each section of the 1855 Constitution is briefly explained in the margins? Some of these texts are listed at the end of the activity sheet, 'Parts of a Constitution', in a box under the heading 'Descriptions of the sections of the 1855 Constitution'. Cut up these boxes and paste each box in the last column of the activity sheet, Parts of a Constitution, to show how it tells you about one of the purposes of a constitution. Sometimes one section of the constitution might do two or more of these things. Show this on the activity sheet.

Back to top

• Introductory activities

• The Constitution
• Victoria's current Constitution
• Activity sheet: Parts of a Constitution
• Victoria's first Constitution