Civics Resources

13:00

Washington Capitol Press Corps

Discover how Washington’s Capital Press Corps informs the public, covers state government, and strengthens democracy.

Discussion Questions

05:41

Conference Committees

Learn how conference committees help resolve differences between House and Senate bills in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

03:33

7. Policy Committees

Learn how policy committees work in Washington State and how bills move through hearings and executive sessions.

Discussion Questions

6:30

The Code Reviser

Explore the Code Reviser’s role in Washington State and how bills are drafted, reviewed, and prepared for the legislative process.

Discussion Questions

04:26

Looking up a Bill

Learn how to find Washington State bills by number, topic, sponsor, or pre-filed status using the legislative website.
6:55

The Role of the Whip

What does a legislative whip do? Learn how caucus whips count votes, manage members, and guide bills in Olympia.

Discussion Questions

7:55

The Governor

Learn the role of Washington State’s Governor and how the office leads, implements laws, and works across government.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

03:13

4. The Three Branches

Learn how the three branches of government work together through checks and balances in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

05:06

Juvenile Courts – WA Courts

Explore juvenile courts in Washington State and how they focus on rehabilitation for youth offenders.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

06:30

Superior Court – WA Courts

Learn how Superior Courts handle major criminal and civil cases in Washington State’s judicial system.

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Legislative Branch Explained

Explore how laws are made in Washington State—from bill introduction to final vote—while learning how citizens can engage.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

05:33

17. Concurrence & Dispute

Learn how concurrence and dispute resolve bill differences between chambers in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Law & Justice (2026)

Explore law and justice policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

4:37

How a Bill Becomes a Law

This Legacy Video explains: How does a bill become a law in Washington? And how does it differ from the U.S. Congress?

Discussion Questions

03:20

12. The Floor: What is Decorum??

Learn what decorum means on the legislative floor and how rules guide respectful debate in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Pre-Legislative Session Class Primer

Prepare your students to follow and engage in the legislative process with this two day pre-legislative session primer.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

03:07

8. Fiscal Committees

Learn how fiscal committees review costs, funding, and budgets for bills in Washington State’s legislative process.

Discussion Questions

23:44
Documentary

Mariachi Huenachi

Follow immigrant students overcoming challenges through music in Wenatchee’s Mariachi Huenachi program.

Discussion Questions

Unit

K12 Education (2026)

Explore K-12 education policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

02:19

2. What is the Law?

Learn what laws are, how they work, and how bills become part of the Revised Code of Washington.

Discussion Questions

03:27

2026 Short Session Look Ahead

Get ready for Washington State’s 2026 short session and learn how the biennium shapes legislative priorities and timelines.

Lesson Plan

9:17

Political Campaigns

Learn what it takes to run for office in Washington, from campaigning and fundraising to serving the public.

Discussion Questions

05:23

First Week – Tech For Teens

Follow AI regulation bills in Washington State and see how tech policy for teens moves through the legislative process.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Legislative Committees

Understand the role of legislative committees, how they are structured, and how power and perspective can shape policy.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

Unit

Environment & Energy (House 2025)

Learn about committee leadership and where the two parties stand on three important policies regarding the environment and energy.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

Unit

The Rule of Law and State Courts

This 4 day lesson plan examines the role of state courts in preserving democracy and what types of cases each court level hears.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

04:10

Anatomy of a Committee

Learn how legislative committees work in Washington State and why they are key to researching, debating, and shaping laws.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

06:20

The State Budget(s)

Learn about Washington State’s three budgets—Operating, Capital, and Transportation—and how they reflect government priorities.

Discussion Questions

03:39

The Final Step – Tech For Teens

Learn the final step in Washington State lawmaking as bills reach the governor’s desk for approval, veto, or enactment.

Discussion Questions

7:40

WA Democratic State Convention

See how the Washington State Democratic Party convention gathers its base to caucus, collaborate and adopt the parties platform.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

06:03

Inaugural Addresses

Washington’s 2025 legislative opening ceremonies, including swearing-in, Gov. Inslee’s final address, and Gov. Ferguson’s inaugural.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

7:35

Commissioner of Public Lands

Learn the role of Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands and how natural resources are managed.

Lesson Plan

4:09

State Auditor

Explore the role of Washington’s State Auditor and learn how audits provide oversight and accountability in state government.

Lesson Plan

02:45

Meeting leg.wa.gov

Take a tour of leg.wa.gov and learn how to find bills, calendars, and ways to engage with Washington State’s legislature.
10:35

Balancing Security and Access

In the United States, each state conducts their elections slightly differently, learn how WA ensures the integrity of its voting process.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

13:25

WA Top Two Primary

Learn how Washington State's Top Two Primary works, the different scenarios that can play out, and how political parties strategize to win.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

01:55

3. What is the Legislature?

Learn what the Washington State Legislature is, how it works, and how sessions and bienniums are structured.

Discussion Questions

08:05

Floor Debate

Learn how floor debates work in Washington State and the rules that guide discussion, amendments, and voting on legislation.

Discussion Questions

02:17

6. What is a Lobbyist?

Learn what a lobbyist is and how they influence the legislative process in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

Unit

K12 Education (2025)

Explore K-12 education policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

04:56

Five O’Clock Bill

Learn what a “5 o’clock bill” is and how deadlines, debate, and strategy shape Washington State’s legislative process.

Discussion Questions

02:09

10. Public Comment

Learn how public input influences legislation in Washington State through testimony, letters, and civic engagement.

Discussion Questions

07:20

Public Testimony

Learn how public testimony works in Washington State and how citizens can share their voices during legislative hearings.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

07:30

Court of Appeals – WA Courts

Learn how the Washington State Court of Appeals works and its role in reviewing trial court decisions.

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Executive Branch Explained

Learn how WA’s elected officials manage education, finances, land, insurance, and oversight—shaping daily life and public accountability.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

4:29

Secretary of State

Learn the role of Washington State’s Secretary of State and how the office oversees elections and public records.

Lesson Plan

Unit

Party Conventions Unit

In this jigsawed activity, students compare and contrast the conventions, determining who is involved in each event and investigating...

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

07:45

Time Management – Tech For Teens

Learn how time management, floor strategy, and party priorities shape which Washington State bills get a final vote.

Discussion Questions

04:00

The Committee Chair

Learn how committee chairs in Washington State decide which bills move forward and shape the legislative process.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Capitol Classroom Highlights

Explore highlights from Capitol Classroom and learn about Washington State’s legislative process from volunteer lobbyists.

Multiple Videos

5:25

Mainstream Republicans Conference

See how WAs Mainstream Republican Conference acts as a think tank and forum for focusing on political party interests and endorsements.

Lesson Plan

01:35

11. What is an Amendment?

Learn what amendments are and how changes like strikers and substitutes shape bills in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Transportation (2026)

Explore transportation policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

Unit

Environment & Energy (2026)

Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

Unit

Health Care (2026)

Explore healthcare policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.

Lesson Plan

Multiple Videos

9:06

The Washington State Constitution

Learn how Washington’s Constitution shapes state government and what makes it unique among U.S. state constitutions.

Discussion Questions

04:15

Floor Debate – Tech For Teens

See how tech bills for teens fared in Washington State floor debates and why some passed while others failed.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

02:20

5. The Legislative Process

Learn the steps of the legislative process in Washington State and how bills become law.

Discussion Questions

8:00

2024 Elections: What’s at Stake

Review the 2024 state of Washington races post the August Primary Election, and pre the November Election, to understand election dynamics.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

04:40

Fiscal Committees

Learn how fiscal committees in Washington State review bills with financial impact and why they are critical in the lawmaking process.

Discussion Questions

05:00

Policy Cutoff

Learn how policy cutoff deadlines shape which bills move forward in Washington State’s legislative process.

Discussion Questions

06:30

Prime Sponsorship

Learn how prime sponsors support bills in Washington State and why strong backing is key to passing legislation.

Discussion Questions

5:10

State Treasurer

Learn the role of Washington State’s Treasurer and how the office manages finances and ensures fiscal responsibility.

Lesson Plan

55:00
Documentary

Finding Common Ground

Examine different ways that tribal nations, the Washington State government, and other stakeholders have come together to navigate conflict.

Lesson Plan

02:19

14. The Floor: What is Caucus?

Learn what a caucus is and how lawmakers negotiate and prepare bills behind the scenes in Washington State.

Discussion Questions

5:00

Labor Council COPE Convention

Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? Understand the role that the unions can play in an election. 

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

SERIES

Elections Explained

Learn how elections work in Washington State - Each video can stand alone, and is accompanied with a lesson plan, or view as a series.

Multiple Videos

58:30
Documentary

Starcia

Explore Starcia’s journey from addiction and crime to redemption in this Emmy Award-winning documentary.

Discussion Questions

Unit

Precinct Committee Officers

Explore the role and responsibilities partisan PCOs, and investigate political viewpoints and how one can get involved in local politics.

Lesson Plan

Discussion Questions

Multiple Videos

SERIES

Judicial Branch Explained

Explore Washington State’s courts, from trial courts to the Supreme Court, and learn how judges, juries, and justice work together.

Multiple Videos

09:45

The Governor’s Desk

Learn the governor’s role in Washington State lawmaking, including signing, vetoing, or allowing bills to become law.

Discussion Questions

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