Texas TEKS 7.23.B

Social Studies7th GradeSocial studies skills

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 public or historical problem, then use reliable evidence to compare possible responses. They select a solution, plan specific action steps, and judge results using clear criteria.

What Mastery Looks Like

Given a Texas history case, a student identifies causes, cites relevant facts, and compares at least two workable solutions. The student defends one choice, outlines action steps, and names evidence that would show whether it worked.

Common Misconceptions

Students often jump to the first appealing answer before gathering enough information. They may list opinions as evidence or name benefits without considering costs. Some treat evaluation as personal preference instead of checking results against clear criteria.

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: A town must renovate its old courthouse or replace it. Compare both options, choose one, give the first action step, and name one result you would measure.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Give teams fact, cost, and stakeholder cards about a proposed reservoir, then have them build and revise a solution plan.

  2. Write: Which response to drought should a Texas town choose, and what evidence outweighs the strongest drawback?

  3. Run a four-corners game with four school budget options; students move, hear one new fact, then defend or change their choice.

  4. Have students investigate campus traffic, interview two users, propose one change, and set a one-week measure of success.

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