What is the difference between the EU and the European Council?
I can outline the difference between the European Union and the European Council.
What is the difference between the EU and the European Council?
I can outline the difference between the European Union and the European Council.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The EU is a political and economic union of 27 member states. MEPs vote on and shape legislation.
- The European Council sets the EU's strategic direction, with Heads of State or government meeting to discuss key issues.
- The Parliament of the EU is made up of elected MEPs from Member States. Citizens can engage with them in many ways.
- Political institutions, like Parliament, the EU and the EC evolve over time to address increasingly complex issues.
Keywords
Member of European Parliament - elected members of the Parliament of Europe; they are elected from Member States
Summit - a meeting between heads of government
Bloc - a group of countries or political parties with common interests who have formed an alliance
Common misconception
The EU and the EC do the same thing.
The European Union is governed by the European Parliament which has directly elected represnetatives. These are called MEPs. The European Council has representatives from Member States who are their country's leaders.
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What is the difference between the EU and the European Council?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What is the difference between the EU and the European Council?, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How well has the UK adjusted to its changing relationship with the EU? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
working together to achieve the same end
the act of being joined together for political purposes
beyond the authority of one national government
Exit quiz
6 Questions
elected members of the Parliament of Europe
a meeting between the heads of government
a group of countries with common interests who have formed an alliance