Texas TEKS 5.17.B
The Standard
explain how to contact elected and appointed leaders in local, state, and national governments
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students match a public concern with the correct level of government and the right official. They use an official website or directory to find a mailing address, phone number, email form, or office location.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can tell whether an official gained the position through an election or an appointment. They choose a suitable contact method and prepare a clear, respectful message that states the issue and requested action.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the president or governor handles every public problem. They may confuse appointed department leaders with elected officials, or treat social media comments as formal contact.
How to Assess It
- Give students a printed government directory. Ask them to select one elected official and one appointed official, list a valid contact method for each, and explain which issue each could address.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs official profile cards and issue cards, then have them match each concern to the correct leader and contact method.
Ask students to write: Who should hear about an unsafe crosswalk near our school, and what should the first two message sentences say?
Play Contact Match, where teams race to pair local, state, and national issues with official offices and verified communication methods.
Open your city website, find one elected leader and one department director, then draft a respectful question for each person.
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Printable 5.17.B Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.17.B, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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- 4.15.E
explain how to contact elected and appointed leaders in state and local governments; and
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