Constitution Day

Bring the Constitution to Life in a Classroom

Fewer than one in four eighth graders nationwide are proficient in civics. Since 2004, federal law has required every publicly funded school to provide Constitution Day programming on Sept. 17. That’s more than 2,200 public schools across the state alone, and many need someone to lead those lessons. That's where Washington's legal community comes in.

Visits can happen at any point in the academic year, and a first connection can grow into a lasting relationship with a teacher or school. The Lawyers in the Classroom Program is a joint effort of the Washington Courts and the Washington State Bar Association. To get connected, or if you have questions, email lawyersintheclassroom@courts.wa.gov.

For many students, a classroom visit is the first time they’ve met someone who works in the legal system. When they see a legal professional who cares about their community, they start to picture themselves doing that work, whether as a voter, a juror, an advocate, or someday a lawyer. Volunteers often find the exchange runs both ways: students ask sharp questions, and their curiosity reminds volunteers why they chose this work in the first place.

Join Us

Legal professionals can connect with a local school – public, private, or tribal – to coordinate a classroom visit.

• Ready to plan your visit? Check out the Volunteer Toolkit for outreach templates, printable fact sheets for school staff, and more. Ask the school about volunteer clearance early, since approval can take several weeks. [link]
• Need help building your lesson? Explore the Constitution Day Lesson Planning Guide, organized by step so you can find what you need as you go: ready-to-run lessons, a visit agenda, grade-level curriculum resources, and more. [link]
• Want more lesson options? Browse the Washington Courts lesson library, with free lesson plans and materials written by judges, lawyers, and teachers. [link]

Already Visited a Classroom?

Tell us about it. Email lawyersintheclassroom@courts.wa.gov with your school name, grade, and visit date. Feedback is welcome, as are lesson plans or presentations you’d like to share with future volunteers.

Photos help tell the story, so share them! Get the teacher’s permission first. Adults and backs of heads are fine; student faces need parental permission.