On 21 April, the House of Commons held virtual debates for the first time in its 700-year history. Members of Parliament (MPs) usually meet in person inside Parliament, but because of the coronavirus outbreak, they are meeting online instead.
This resource contains a news story from The Week Junior about the activity, and accompanying activity ideas.
This PDF resource includes this article, as well as accompanying activity ideas:
- People are beginning to say that normal life might change a great deal when the threat of the virus has passed. Now that we are proving many jobs can be done over the internet, should we make it a permanent change? Should that include teaching? Would you like to do all your learning at home over the internet? Would you learn better without the distractions of having your classmates in the same room? Or is it important to be together? Are there benefits to working and playing in the presence of others? What do you think?
- Write a list of rules for school lessons that are carried out over the internet
- Write a poem about an online school day. Write at least eight lines, with alternate lines rhyming
- Who is your local MP? Write a fact file about her or him, including details such as their political party, when they were first elected to Parliament, the size of their majority, any ministerial positions they have held and any jobs they have done apart from being a politician
Find the entire series of Topical Tuesday resources to download here.
What is The Week Junior?
The Week Junior magazine looks at current affairs and helps children make sense of the world, provides context and clarity to complex issues, improves general knowledge and encourages discussion and debate.
To find out more about The Week Junior and to download its free resources, please go to schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.