Texas TEKS 5.17

5.17 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.

• 5.17.A

  explain why individuals have a duty to participate in civic affairs at the local, state, and national levels

• 5.17.B

  explain how to contact elected and appointed leaders in local, state, and national governments

• 5.17.C

  use voting as a method for group decision making.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students explain how taking part helps communities make decisions and hold leaders accountable. They match public concerns to local, state, or national leaders and choose a suitable contact method. They also use fair voting steps to make a group choice.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can give a clear reason for joining civic affairs, such as improving a park or sharing concerns about a law. They can identify the right leader and use email, phone, letter, or a public meeting to make contact. They can organize a vote with equal ballots and an accurate count.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think civic participation only means voting and that children cannot take part. They may send every concern to the president instead of matching the issue to the right government level. They may also confuse appointed officials with elected officials.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a three-row exit ticket labeled local, state, and national. For each row, have them name a leader and contact method, then explain one civic duty and one fair voting rule.

1. 01

   Hold a mock class election using ballots, a voter list, private voting stations, and a public tally.

2. 02

   Write: Why should someone participate in a local issue even when one vote or message may not change the result?

3. 03

   Play a matching game with issue cards, government levels, officials, and contact methods such as email, phone, letter, or meeting.

4. 04

   Choose a neighborhood concern, identify the responsible official, and draft a respectful email requesting a specific action.

• 8.20

  Citizenship. The student understands the importance of voluntary individual participation in the democratic process. The student is expected to:

• 7.17

  Citizenship. The student understands the importance of effective leadership in a democratic society. The student is expected to:

• 4.15

  Citizenship. The student understands the importance of active individual participation in the democratic process. The student is expected to:

• 8.19

  Citizenship. The student understands the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States. The student is expected to: