Texas TEKS 5.15.C

Social Studies5th GradeGovernment

The Standard

distinguish between national and state governments and compare their responsibilities in the U.S. federal system.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify which duties belong to the national government, state governments, or both. They compare each level’s reach using examples such as defense, currency, schools, licenses, courts, and taxes.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly sort government duties and explain their choices using authority and geographic reach. They also recognize shared duties, such as collecting taxes and building roads.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think governors report to the president or that national laws control every state decision. They may confuse state and local duties or assume duties cannot be shared.
How to Assess It: Give an exit ticket with national defense, driver licensing, and collecting taxes. Students label each national, state, or both, then explain one answer.

Lesson moves

Give pairs duty cards and a three-column mat labeled national, state, and both, then have them sort and defend each placement.
Ask students to write: Why should states control some decisions while the national government controls others? Use two examples.
Play Government Duty Relay, where teams race to place responsibility cards under national, state, or both and correct disputed choices.
Compare a U.S. passport application and a state driver license application, noting which government issues each and why.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.15.C, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.