Teach With TVW’s FREE hands-on civics education program, Capitol Classroom, teaches students across Washington State how to participate in the legislative process by working directly with our team of volunteer lobbyists in Olympia via bi-weekly Zoom meetings during the Legislative session (from January through the end of April in odd years, and January into mid March in even years). Students and teachers choose actual bills to support, oppose, or amend, bringing civic participation into the classroom. Then, under the guidance of their lobbyist, they track and advocate for their bill as it moves through the legislative process. See a more detailed breakdown, and timeline in this Teacher’s Guide. The goal of Capitol Classroom is to provide a rich and immersive learning experience by showing students how to work within the system to make their voices heard.
Teach With TVW’s FREE hands-on civics education program, Capitol Classroom, teaches students across Washington State how to participate in the legislative process by working directly with our team of volunteer lobbyists in Olympia via bi-weekly Zoom meetings during the Legislative session (from January through the end of April in odd years, and January into mid March in even years). Students and teachers choose actual bills to support, oppose, or amend, bringing civic participation into the classroom. Then, under the guidance of their lobbyist, they track and advocate for their bill as it moves through the legislative process. See a more detailed breakdown, and timeline in this Teacher’s Guide. The goal of Capitol Classroom is to provide a rich and immersive learning experience by showing students how to work within the system to make their voices heard.
Because Capitol Classroom participation is limited to the number of volunteer lobbyists in our program and a class’s ability to align with the session schedule, we encourage teachers to browse our lesson plans which will provide the resources and opportunities to start teaching and engaging your students with the legislative process at any time of year and fit any schedule. We also encourage teachers to get on our Capitol Classroom waiting list.
You can learn more about Capitol Classroom in some recent articles: Capitol Classroom Youth Testify at the Capitol, and Thurston Talk’s article on Teach With TVW.
Got questions about Capitol Classroom? Join one of our drop-in Zoom Info sessions:
Email us to be alerted when the next drop-in Zoom is scheduled: teachwithtvw@tvw.org
Watch examples of civics education in our Capitol Classroom high school and middle school meetings from the 2022 Legislative Session
Getting to the Same Place Together - Teaching How to Think, Not What to Think
Navigating the Political Divide - Cultivating Civility Through High School Civics
Starting with a Brave Space - Presenting Ideas in 8th Grade Social Studies Class
Strong Evidence is a Must - Capitol Classroom Students Present Powerful Proposals to Lawmakers
It's All About Context - 8th Grade Students Build on the Facts
ENTIRE Teacher's Round Table - "Veteran" Civics Teachers Share How They Use Capitol Classroom