Students begin to see how government policy is shaped and informed through the legislative process and public input. Students get familiarized with the legislative process and who their representatives are. They learn the structures of government, get a legislative process overview, a tour of leg.wa.gov, and learn how to look up their representatives online.
Essential Questions:
- Who represents the people of Washington State?
- How does the legislature function to represent the interests of the people?
- What are some ways the community can participate in the legislature?
Objectives:
- Understand and explain the structure and processes of the legislature
- Define and explain the purpose of state laws, rules and regulations
- Understand how Washington State law originates from the bill making process
- Know who is in the legislature and the length of legislative sessions making up a bi-ennium
- Understand the tools students have to participate in the legislative process
Education Standards
- Middle School
- C2.6-8. 4 Use knowledge of the function of government to analyze and address a political issue.
- C4.6-8.3 Employ strategies for civic involvement that address a state or local issue.
- High School
- C2.11-12.1 Analyze citizens’ and institutions’ effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national and/or international level.
- C4.11-12.2 Analyze and evaluate ways of influencing local, state, and national governments and international organizations to establish or preserve individual rights and/or promote the common good.
Lesson Plan Notes:
This lesson plan comes with a customizable GoogleSlide Deck with videos and discussion questions. Student notebooks are also available, with links to public testimonies, floor debates, and bill signings for each bill.
*Note: to edit Google Docs or Google Slide Deck, make a copy, rename, and edit from there.
*Note: HB 1644 is a complex bill that is more appropriate for high school students.
Teacher Guide