Texas TEKS K.8.A

Social StudiesKindergartenGovernment

The Standard

K.8: Government. The student understands the role of authority figures. The student is expected to:

identify authority figures in the home, school, and community

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students name adults who make and enforce rules at home, at school, and in the community. They match each person to the place where that person has authority.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can sort pictures of a caregiver, teacher, principal, mayor, and police officer by setting. The student can say who is responsible in a simple situation.
Common Misconceptions: Students may name any familiar adult or community helper, even when that person does not make or enforce rules. They may also think one person has authority everywhere.
How to Assess It: Show pictures of a caregiver, teacher, and police officer. Ask, “Who has authority at home, at school, and in the community?”

Lesson moves

Give students picture cards of adults and have them place each card on a home, school, or community mat.
Ask, “Who makes sure rules are followed in each place?” and record student answers in three labeled columns.
Play Authority Figure Charades, with students acting as a teacher, caregiver, principal, mayor, or police officer while classmates identify the role.
Walk around the school to meet the principal, nurse, and crossing guard, then discuss where each person has authority.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to K.8.A, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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