DENISHA DAWSON

SAINT JOHN’S COLLEGE JUNIOR COLLEGE

LESSON PLAN

Subject: Social Studies Date: March 12, 2020 Duration: 45 minutes

Unit Topic: Government & Citizenship Lesson Topic: The Monarchy of Belize Class: Standard 4

Learning Outcome Number: 38.4: Compare and contrast the roles of the Queen, the Governor General and
the Prime Minister
Connections/Linkages: Mathematics: Data Collection and Organization

Students’ Previous Knowledge & Experience:

Students know who is the Queen, the current Governor General and the current Prime Minister of Belize.
Students know the terms monarch, annual budget and apprentice
Lesson Objective:
After a class discussions and a paired activity, students will be able to identify and state at least two similarities
and two differences found after comparing and contrasting the roles of the Queen, the Governor General and the
Prime Minister.

Materials and Texts: Sources of Information:

Scissors Belize/ The Royal Family: https://www.royal.uk/belize
Markers
Crayon Pencils National Assembly of Belize:
Ruler https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/national-assembly/
Tape
Belize Info Center: http://belizeinfocenter.org/what-is-
belize/government/

Lesson Content:
ROLE OF THE QUEEN
 Her Majesty is Head of State in Belize, meaning that she has a unique relationship with the Central American
country.
 The Queen is not involved in the day-to-day business of the Government of Belize, though she continues to play
important ceremonial and symbolic roles in the life of the nation.
 Her Majesty maintains contact with the country via its Governor- General
 The Governor-General is appointed on the advice of Belizean Government Ministers.
ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL

 The Governor-General represents the Queen in Belize and has important duties to perform in Parliament.
 He assents to Bills passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate so that they become Laws of Belize. 
 The Governor-General also opens the first Sitting of the House of Representatives (Inaugural Sitting) by delivering
what is known as the Government Speech (Throne Speech).
 The Governor-General also ends a parliamentary session and term by proroguing and dissolving, respectively, the
National Assembly by proclamation. 
 Therefore, after any general election, the Governor-General appoints by proclamation published in the Gazette the
date, the place and the time for the holding of a session of the National Assembly. 
 In addition, the Governor-General appoints Members of the Senate.

ROLE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

  The Prime Minister is charged with the responsibility of forming a cabinet, the chief policy-making body in
Government.
 Cabinet is the principal executive instrument of policy, which provides general direction, and control of the
Government.
 Cabinet is comprised of ministers appointed by the Prime Minister.
 When a political party wins a general election, the Prime Minister may give members of the National Assembly or
specially appointed Senators the post of Minister.
 The Prime Minister thus gives each Minister a portfolio for which he is responsible to manage.
 The Prime Minister usually takes the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance.
 The Prime Minister may also appoint Ministers of State (Junior Ministers) in each Ministry. He may also add new
ministries or merge different Ministries together.

Skills: Students will engage in discussions, and be accountable

Attitudes: Students will gain appreciation and respect

Suggested Activities/Procedures:
Introductory Activities (5 mins.):
Students will answer the question “What do you know about the Queen?” “What do you know about the
Governor General?” and “What do you know about the Prime Minister?” Each student will then stick the
answers on the board under the appropriate heading and the class will discuss what is on the board.

Developmental Activities/Procedures (30 mins.):

Students will:
1. Get in pairs and discuss the handout given.
2. Create a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the roles of the Queen, Governor General and the
Prime Minister.
3. Each pair will share what they have written. Explanations are to be done in their own words.
4. After the Venn Diagram exercise is completed, the students will make either a poster, a commercial or a
skit comparing and contrasting the different roles of the Queen, Governor General and the Prime
Minister.

Culmination & Closure (10 mins.):

Students will share their poster, skit, or their commercial with the class, which will clearly state at least 2
similarities and 2 differences between the roles of the Queen, Governor General and the Prime Minister.

Homework (if applicable)

Reflection: