Texas TEKS 5.13.B
The Standard
identify examples of representative government in the American colonies, including the Mayflower Compact and the Virginia House of Burgesses.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students recognize the Mayflower Compact and the Virginia House of Burgesses as early forms of colonial self-government. They explain how colonists agreed to rules or chose representatives to make decisions.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can name each example from a short description and explain how it gave some colonists a voice. They can distinguish a signed agreement from an elected lawmaking assembly.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the Mayflower Compact created the United States government or that every person signed it. They may also think all Virginians could vote for burgesses, including women, enslaved people, and Indigenous people.
How to Assess It
- Give students two prompts: “Colonists sign an agreement to follow laws” and “Voters choose lawmakers.” Ask them to name each example and explain their choice.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have groups sign a class agreement, then elect representatives to propose one class rule and compare the two decision-making methods.
Ask students to write: How did each colonial example give some people a voice, and who was left out?
Give pairs feature cards to sort under Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses, or Both, then defend one difficult choice.
Show a local city council webpage and have students identify elected members, then connect their role to Virginia's burgesses.
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Printable 5.13.B Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 8.3.A
explain the reasons for the growth of representative government and institutions during the colonial period;
- 8.3.B
analyze the importance of the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the Virginia House of Burgesses to the growth of representative gove...
- 8.3.C
describe how religion and virtue contributed to the growth of representative government in the American colonies.
- 5.13.A
compare the systems of government of early European colonists, including representative government and monarchy ; and
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