Statehood Curriculum - Single Lesson - League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia

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HomeStatehood Curriculum - Single Lesson

Statehood Curriculum — Single Course
This lesson plan has been designed to be taught during one class period.
Download the lesson plan in its entirety here.

Lesson Plan Outline:

D.C. Statehood: What is it Like to Live in D.C., the Struggle for Statehood, and the Path to Becoming a State

Big Questions:

How has D.C.'s struggle for statehood changed over time, and why has the fight for full political power continued for so long?
What is it like to live in D.C. with the responsibilities of citizenship but without full voting power in Congress?
How does a place become a state and what steps would D.C. need to take to gain full statehood?

Part 1: History of the Struggle for Democracy and Statehood

Activity: Timeline Discussion

Part 2: What is it Like to Live in D.C.?

Taxation Without Representation
Work, Income, and Daily Life
Home Rule
Representation
Emergency Decisions
How a Lack of Political Power Affected Black Washingtonians
Race, Voting Rights, and D.C.

Part 3: The Path to Statehood

Path to Statehood
What Would the New Map Look Like?
What is D.C. Still Fighting For?

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LWVDC Member Interest Survey 2026