Texas TEKS 5.18.A
The Standard
identify past and present leaders in the national government, including the president and various members of Congress, and their political parties
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students name selected past and current national leaders. They connect each person to the presidency, House, or Senate, identify the person’s party, and distinguish past service from current service.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can identify the current president, selected past presidents, and several current members of Congress. The student correctly gives each leader’s office, chamber when relevant, party, and service period.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the president leads Congress or that senators and representatives have the same role. They may confuse a leader’s home state with political party or list former officeholders as current leaders.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Name the current president, one past president, and two current members of Congress. Give each person’s office, party, and past or present status.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Sort leader cards by name, office, House or Senate chamber, political party, and past or present service.
Write three clues about a national leader, then have a partner identify the person, office, and political party.
Play a team matching game using leader photos, names, offices, parties, and past or present labels.
Use official White House, Senate, and House websites to create an updated classroom board of current national leaders.
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Printable 5.18.A Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.18.A, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 7.16.A
identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups on important Texas issues, past and present; and
- 5.18.B
identify leadership qualities of national leaders, past and present.
- 8.21.A
identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups on important historical issues;
- 4.16.A
identify leaders in state, local, and national governments, including the governor, local members of the Texas Legislature, the local mayor, U.S. senators, loca...
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