Course Plan: Understanding Government and Treaty Rights in Washington State
Course Overview
This course is designed for seventh-grade students to explore the structure, organization, powers, and limits of government at the local, state, and tribal levels. Students will analyze the impact of international agreements on Washington State and understand key elements of treaty agreements between Washington tribes and the United States. The course will also cover how individuals can exercise their political power, the barriers they face, and how young people can initiate political change in their communities.
Course Goals
- To understand the various levels of government and their functions.
- To analyze the effects of treaties on state laws and local governance.
- To recognize the political rights of individuals and how they can effect change.
- To explore historical and contemporary barriers to political participation.
Course Aims
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Distinguish between local, state, and tribal governments and their powers.
- Analyze the relationship between international agreements and local laws.
- Explain the significance of treaty rights and their impact on Washington tribes.
- Identify ways to participate in political processes and overcome barriers.
- Formulate strategies to engage young people in local political change.
Course Structure
Module 1: Understanding Government
Lesson 1: Introduction to Government
- Overview of what government is and its purpose.
Lesson 2: Levels of Government
- Discuss local, state, and tribal governments.
Lesson 3: Powers of Government
- Analyze the powers vested in each level of government.
Lesson 4: Limits of Government
- Explore checks and balances within and across different levels of government.
Module 2: Local Governance in Washington State
Lesson 5: Structure of Local Government
- Understand city councils, mayoral offices, and local agencies.
Lesson 6: Responsibilities of Local Government
- Discuss services provided by local government, such as public safety and education.
Lesson 7: Engaging with Local Government
- How citizens can participate in local government processes.
Module 3: State Government in Washington
Lesson 8: Structure of State Government
- Explore the branches of Washington State government.
Lesson 9: Role of the Governor
- Understand the powers and responsibilities of the governor.
Lesson 10: State Legislature
- Analyze the law-making process in the Washington State Legislature.
Module 4: Tribal Governance and Rights
Lesson 11: Introduction to Tribal Governments
- Understand the unique status of tribal governments in Washington.
Lesson 12: Treaties and Their Significance
- Explore the historical context of treaties between tribes and the United States.
Lesson 13: Key Treaty Agreements in Washington
- Analyze specific treaties affecting Washington tribes.
Lesson 14: Treaty Rights vs. State Law
- Discuss the implications of treaties as the “supreme law of the land”.
Module 5: International Agreements and Their Impact
Lesson 15: Introduction to International Agreements
- Understand what constitutes an international agreement.
Lesson 16: U.S. Constitution and Treaties
- Analyze the relationship between the U.S. Constitution and international treaties.
Lesson 17: Case Studies: International Agreements in Washington
- Examine specific examples of international agreements impacting the state.
Module 6: Political Power and Participation
Lesson 18: Exercising Political Power in Washington State
- Discuss ways individuals can engage politically, such as voting and advocacy.
Lesson 19: Barriers to Political Participation
- Identify common barriers such as socio-economic factors, education, and access.
Lesson 20: Historical Context of Barriers
- Analyze how these barriers developed and their ongoing purposes.
Module 7: Young People and Political Change
Lesson 21: Youth Engagement in Politics
- Explore the role of young people in political movements.
Lesson 22: Case Studies of Youth-Led Change
- Examine examples where youth initiatives led to political change.
Lesson 23: Developing a Local Action Plan
- Guide students in creating their action plans for community change.
Module 8: Synthesis and Reflection
Lesson 24: Recap of Government Structure and Functions
- Review key concepts and structures covered in the course.
Lesson 25: Reflecting on Treaty Rights
- Encourage students to reflect on the importance of treaty rights.
Lesson 26: Political Empowerment Reflection
- Discuss personal experiences related to political power and barriers.
Module 9: Bringing It All Together
Lesson 27: Group Projects: Local Government Issues
- Collaborative assessment on local government challenges.
Lesson 28: Presentation of Action Plans
- Present and critique youth-led political action plans.
Lesson 29: Guest Speaker: Tribal Leader/Politician
- Invite a local leader to discuss their experiences and insights.
Lesson 30: Course Review and Final Assessment
- Comprehensive review and assessment of course materials.
References
- U.S. Constitution
- Washington State Constitution
- "Journeys of Justice: Treaties Made, Treaties Broken" by John D. Echohawk
- "The Indian Treaties of Washington State" by Robert J. Miller
- "Politics in Washington State" by Richard A. Clarke
- National Archives: U.S. Treaty Documents
- Washington Secretary of State - Local Government Division
- Washington Tribal Directory and Resource Guide
This outline provides a comprehensive plan for a seventh-grade history course focusing on government structures and treaty rights in Washington State. Each lesson is designed to build upon the previous one to create a holistic understanding of government and political dynamics.