Texas TEKS 6.21
TEKS Knowledge Statement (Expectation Cluster)
The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies
Cluster contents
Student Expectations in This Statement
6.21 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.
- 6.21.A
use social studies terminology correctly
- 6.21.B
incorporate main and supporting ideas in verbal and written communication based on research
- 6.21.C
express ideas orally based on research and experiences
- 6.21.D
create written and visual material such as journal entries, reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies based on research
- 6.21.E
use effective written communication skills, including proper citations to avoid plagiarism
- 6.21.F
apply foundational language skills to engage in civil discourse about social studies topics, including those with multiple perspectives
Teacher's field guide
What This Cluster Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain research findings in speech, writing, and visuals. They use accurate social studies terms, organize main and supporting ideas, and cite sources. They also discuss differing views with clear, respectful language.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can present a clear claim supported by researched facts and details. The student can create an organized paragraph, graphic organizer, or short report with citations and a bibliography. During discussion, the student listens, responds to evidence, and disagrees respectfully.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may copy source wording without quotation marks or citations. They may list facts without identifying a main idea or use social studies terms inaccurately. Some treat disagreement as personal conflict instead of responding to another person's evidence or reasoning.
How to Assess It
- Give students a short source and ask for a three-sentence summary, a labeled organizer, and one citation. Then have partners share one response using the stem, “I agree or disagree because the evidence shows...”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs index cards labeled claim, evidence, source, and citation, then have them arrange the cards into a clear research explanation.
After reading two accounts of an event, ask, “Which account is more convincing, and what evidence supports your view?”
Run a terminology relay where teams match social studies terms to examples, then explain and correct one mismatched card.
Students compare two local news reports, identify each perspective, and write a cited caption for a classroom news board.
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Printable 6.21 Worksheet

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.21, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 7.22
Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:
- 8.30
Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:
- 2.16
Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:
- 3.15
Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:
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