Texas TEKS 5.26.B
The Standard
use problem-solving and decision-making processes to identify a problem, gather information, list and consider options, consider advantages and disadvantages, choose and implement a solution, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students define a school, community, or historical problem before proposing a response. They collect relevant facts, compare choices and tradeoffs, carry out a plan when possible, and check the outcome.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a scenario, a student can state the problem clearly and separate relevant facts from opinions. The student lists realistic choices, weighs benefits and drawbacks, and supports one choice with evidence. After a trial or simulation, the student uses results to keep, change, or replace the plan.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose the first solution they think of before gathering facts. They may treat opinions as evidence or list only benefits. Some assume a plan worked without checking results or considering changes.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: The cafeteria throws away many unopened milk cartons. List two facts you need, two possible solutions, one tradeoff for each, your choice, and one way to test it.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give each group 20 paper tokens and a recess-equipment shortage scenario, then have them test and revise a fair checkout plan.
Write a recommendation for reducing cafeteria waste, including facts needed, two options, tradeoffs, and a way to measure results.
Play Solution Match: teams pair problem cards with option cards, score benefits and drawbacks, and defend their highest-scoring choice.
Use a city council agenda item to compare proposed responses, choose one, and name evidence that would show whether it worked.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson