Washington State History Unit | Teaching 7th Graders about Prison
This has been a busy summer for Washington State history. I love creating lessons about the Cascadia subduction zone, Mount Saint Helens, and the Oso Landslide. Washington State has a unique geography and geology. I just finished the Mount Saint Helens project, and now its time to shift gears.
There is another dimension to Washington State history that I have not touched yet – government. It is really my least favorite thing to write about. Student must know about the state constitution, elections, delegates, voting and gerrymandering. This is the sort of information that a person must know in order to function competently in society. Part of being a citizen is understanding we have obligations and responsibilities: to work, pay taxes, and contribute to society.
I admit I get bored with that angle of government and politics, and most importantly, I promised my customers and readers that I would be different from everyone else. I cannot create lessons that I personally find boring. So I went ahead and made a product that complies with our Washington State OSPI standards for government. But I made it cool.
Prison! (dun…dun…dunnnnnnnnn) What comes to mind? Probably some really bad people behind bars, most often after making a lifetime of bad choices. So how about this: a lesson about the Washington State Department of Corrections for 7th grade Washington State history.
In Washington State, there are eleven prisons—nine for men and two for women—teeming with individuals who have, shall we say, made some rather unfortunate choices. There are also many alternatives to incarceration that Courts have available. When I created these lessons, it was always in my mind that we must be careful how we present incarcerated individuals to the students because at the end of the day, inmates are human beings entitled to the same human rights as all human beings. It is important that we see incarcerated individuals first and foremost - with honesty. Second, we must see them with empathy because they are going through one of the worst times of their lives.
This meticulously designed two-day, fifty-minute lesson lays out the essentials. Students will be introduced to the 'big boss' of the prison/ Parole system, the Secretary of Corrections, a position appointed by the governor. They’ll embark on a Web-Quest, navigating the Revised Code of Washington to familiarize themselves with the legal codes. After all, knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no defense. This lesson intertwines civics and government, showcasing how these two pillars influence one another.
A crucial point to hammer home: wrongful convictions are extraordinarily rare. As educators, we invest our hearts in guiding our students, fervently hoping they don’t stray down the wrong path. Alas, the signs of potential delinquency often surface in middle school. The choices they make, the friends they keep—it all matters. Middle school is the crucible where character is forged. My prison unit emphasizes the importance of making wise decisions and steering clear of negative influences.
Now, let’s turn to the technological marvels at our disposal. This unit includes a splendid Google Slides presentation brimming with engaging content. Embedded videos from the Department of Corrections, a fascinating look at a prison work program near Island County, and a sentencing hearing bring the courtroom experience to life. And, because we must end on a hopeful note, there's an uplifting motivational speech from none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. His words of wisdom are pure gold for young minds.
If this Washington State History Prison Lesson piques your interest, follow the links. Together, we can transform the way we teach government and civics, making it an adventure rather than a chore.
