Texas TEKS K.2

Social StudiesKindergartenHistory

The Standard

The student understands how historical figures helped shape the state and nation. The student is expected to identify contributions of historical figures, including Stephen F. Austin, George Washington, Christopher Columbus, and José Antonio Navarro, who helped to shape the state and nation.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students name each person from a portrait or clue and tell one thing each did. They connect Austin and Navarro to Texas, Washington to independence and the presidency, and Columbus to Atlantic voyages.

What Mastery Looks Like

A student matches each person to an accurate contribution. They explain that Austin established Texas colonies, Washington led the Continental Army and became president, Columbus led Atlantic voyages, and Navarro supported Texas independence.

Common Misconceptions

Students may think all four men were presidents or confuse George Washington with Washington, D.C. They may say Columbus was the first person in America, though Indigenous peoples already lived here. They may also mix up Austin and Navarro.

How to Assess It

Show the four portraits one at a time. Ask students to name each person and tell one contribution orally or with a labeled drawing.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Give pairs portrait cards and contribution cards, then have students match Austin, Washington, Columbus, and Navarro and explain each match.

  2. Ask, “Which person changed Texas or the nation most, and what did that person do?” Students draw and label their answer.

  3. Play Four Corners with one figure in each corner, then read a contribution clue and have students move to the matching person.

  4. Search a Texas map for Austin, Washington, Columbus, and Navarro, then discuss why towns and counties carry historical names.

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