How does Washington’s state constitution compare and contrast with the U.S. Constitution? In this lesson, students will find out! Guide your class through some basic similarities and differences as well as side-by-side text analysis with this lesson’s integrated reading/activity format.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Determine how the Washington State Constitution complements the federal structure of government in the United States
Compare the state government established by the Washington Constitution with the federal government defined in the U.S. Constitution
Compare and contrast rights protected by the Washington and U.S. Constitutions
Compare and contrast methods for amending the Washington and U.S. Constitutions

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Local government has lots of layers. In this lesson, students learn that local government is a tool they can use for getting things done and finding out information. Students learn the structure and function of local government in Washington and how they can “harness the power” of local government to address issues of concern. This lesson’s activity is web-based so that students can explore their own local governments.

To access and assign the web activity, click here.

For student access without assigning the activity, here’s the link: https://www.icivics.org/node/2528357

Got a 1:1 classroom? Find fillable PDF versions of this lesson’s materials below. Registration with iCivics (free) required to download content.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe the structure and function of local government in Washington
Identify the level of local government that can address an issue
Explain the basics of public meetings
Use the internet to locate information about the layers of local government where they live

Washington’s initiative and referendum powers let regular people participate directly in lawmaking! This lesson presents the initiative and referendum powers as tools and shows students how to use them.

Got a 1:1 classroom? Find fillable PDF versions of this lesson’s materials below. Register with iCivics (free) in order to download materials.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Explain the purpose and procedure of the initiative and referendum in Washington State
Compare and contrast the initiative and referendum powers in Washington State
Analyze and evaluate aspects of the initiative power and procedure

Water rights are a big deal for many reasons. In this lesson, students learn where water comes from, what water rights are, and how a variety of competing interests factor into managing water resources in Washington State.

Got a 1:1 classroom? Find fillable PDF versions of this lesson’s materials below.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Identify key factors involved in Washington’s water resource management
Explain the basics of water rights and the prior appropriation doctrine
Analyze how competing interests affect water resources
Predict how impacts on a water source could affect competing interests