Description

Overview
The Washington State Latinx History unit introduces students to the rich and complex histories of Latinx communities in the Pacific Northwest. Spanning from 1774 to the present, this 10-lesson, 4–5 week unit guides learners through early settlement, transnational labor flows, civil rights movements, and ongoing struggles for equity and representation. Designed for 7th-grade Washington State History courses, it positions Latinx experiences as essential to understanding the state’s development, identity, and future.

Students examine how migration, work, and activism have shaped communities across the region and connect historical events to contemporary issues like voting rights, cultural expression, and community organizing. Through inquiry, reflection, and creative projects, learners explore their own “historical selves” and consider how everyday people make history.

Rooted in WAESN’s Ethnic Studies Framework, this unit centers the themes of Identity & Agency, Power & Oppression, and Resistance & Liberation, offering a critical, inclusive approach to Washington State History.

Educators will love this unit because it:

• Integrates Ethnic Studies with Washington State History standards

• Highlights regional Latinx histories often excluded from traditional curricula

• Encourages historical thinking through inquiry, reflection, and primary source analysis

• Builds student voice through civic engagement and creative expression

• Includes guidance for culturally responsive and inclusive classroom practice

Format & Duration

• 10 lessons, approximately 4–5 weeks (40–90 minute class periods)

• Designed for Grade 7, adaptable for upper middle school

• Can be integrated into state history or social studies courses

What’s Included

• Comprehensive lesson plans with learning goals and assessments

• Historical readings and multimedia sources

• Vocabulary and “Historical Selfie” reflection activities

• Archival analysis worksheets and civic engagement extensions

• Ready-to-teach materials with student handouts and organizers

Developed by Josué Q. Estrada, Ph.D., K–12 educator, Savannah Garcia, Gonzalo Guzmán, Ph.D., and Yesenia Navarrete Hunter, Ph.D., with support from the WAESN Curriculum Team and College Spark Washington, this unit celebrates the resilience and contributions of Latinx communities by inviting students to see themselves as part of Washington’s ongoing story of liberation and belonging.