How a Washington State History Partner Reading Activity Turned My Middle Schoolers Into Actual Listeners
What research says about reading comprehension, collaboration, and empathy in history class
Let’s Be Honest…
Getting middle schoolers to focus on anyone besides themselves can feel like trying to teach a cat to file taxes. They care — deeply — but mostly about their snacks, their hoodie, or whether someone gave them a weird look during passing period.
So when I set out to teach perspective-taking
in my Washington State History lesson
, I knew I was inviting a bit of chaos into my classroom.
The Impossible Challenge: Empathy Meets Adolescence
The goal was straightforward: show students that history isn’t just names and dates — it’s full of real people with real perspectives.
The execution? A little trickier.
I needed them to actually listen — not just wait for their turn to speak.
The Solution: Partner Reading for Perspectives
That’s when I created the Washington State History Perspectives Partner Reading Activity
.
Here’s how it works:
Each student receives a partner card. Each pair is given two first-person narratives that address the same issue — but from opposing viewpoints.
Examples include:
Native / Settler
Farmer / Freeway Developer
Restaurant Owner / Worker
Business Owner / Unhoused Neighbor
One student reads their perspective aloud while the other listens and takes notes on what matters to the narrator — what they want, what they feel is unfair, and what they’re afraid of losing. Then they switch roles.
Simple structure.
Powerful outcome.
What Happens Next Might Restore Your Faith in Humanity (Sort Of)
When we regrouped for discussion, I heard things like:
“I didn’t realize both sides thought they were doing the right thing.”
“I kinda get why the developer was stressed now.”
“It’s not about who’s right — it’s about why they think that.”
Cue the teacher happy tears.
These weren’t textbook regurgitations. My seventh graders were genuinely connecting empathy to historical context — understanding that every issue in Washington State history
holds more than one truth.
Why This Works
✔️ Built-in accountability: Students know their grade depends on active listening.
✔️ Civic reasoning: They start recognizing bias, fairness, and power dynamics in local issues.
✔️ Academic vocabulary: They use terms like sovereignty, inequity, and stakeholder — and actually know what they mean.
✔️ SEL meets Social Studies: Listening becomes the core skill, reshaping the tone and depth of classroom discussions.
Ready to Try It?
If you’re tired of one-sided debates and want your students to truly listen to understand, this partner reading activity
is your next go-to.
👉 Grab the Washington State History Perspectives Partner Read Activity on TPT »
Your students might still think about themselves most of the time — but now, they’ll also know how to view the world through someone else’s eyes. 💛
