What do MPs do?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what an MP is and describe some of their key roles, responsibilities and skills.
Key learning points
- A Member of Parliament (MP) is an elected representative of citizens in Parliament.
- The name of the geographical area and its citizens that an MP represents is called a constituency.
- MPs split their time between working in Parliament and working in their constituency.
- Some MPs also have additional responsibilities working in the UK Government's Cabinet.
Keywords
Member of Parliament (MP) - a person elected to represent citizens’ interests and concerns in the House of Commons
Constituency - the specific geographical area that is represented by each MP in the House of Commons
Skill - the ability gained through training and experience to do a job or action well
Common misconception
MPs only work in Parliament.
MPs spend a lot of time helping constituents, attending local events and managing casework.
Teacher tip
Could an MP visit the class? Bring the lesson to life and gain first-hand experience by arranging for pupils to meet with their MP. They could ask questions to gain more understanding about an MP's roles and responsibilities.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a political party?
Q2.Fill in the blank: A political party's align with their values.
Q3.Match the words with the correct definitions.
political parties that focus on issues in only one part of the UK
the group of people eligible to vote in elections
money given to political parties from donations and membership fees
Q4.Why are there so many UK political parties?
Q5.The political {{} shows where parties stand on political issues, from left wing to right wing.
Q6.Choose the word that best fits in the sentence. Political parties want to influence public policies by having their members in positions of ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main role of a Member of Parliament (MP)?
Q2.The name of the geographical area that an MP represents is called a ...
Q3.Match the words to the correct definition.
a group of senior government ministers appointed by the Prime Minister
a small geographical area of a local council district
the ability gained through training/experience to do a job/action well
Q4.Fill in the blank: Each constituency have roughly the same size ...
Q5.Some MPs have additional responsibilities working in the UK Government's ...
Q6.What is something that MPs do not do?
To help you plan your 8 citizenship lesson on: What do MPs do?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 citizenship lesson on: What do MPs do?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How does the political system work in the UK? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.