Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS - Introduction
(1) In Kindergarten, the focus is on the
self, home, family, and classroom. The
study of our state and national heritage
begins with an examination of the
celebration of patriotic holidays and the
contributions of historical people. The
concept of chronology is introduced.
Students discuss geographic concepts of
location and physical and human
characteristics of places. Students are
introduced to the basic human needs of
food, clothing, and shelter and to ways
that people meet these needs. Students
learn the purpose of rules and the role of
authority figures in the home and school.
Students learn customs, symbols, and
celebrations that represent American
beliefs and principles and contribute to our
national identity. Students compare family
customs and traditions and describe
examples of technology in the home and
school. Students acquire information from
a variety of oral and visual sources.
(2) To support the teaching of the
essential knowledge and skills, the use of
a variety of rich material such as
biographies; folktales, myths, and legends;
and poetry, songs, and artworks is
encouraged. Selections may include
Differences/Notes
(1) In Kindergarten, the study of the self,
home, family, and classroom establishes
the foundation for responsible citizenship
in society. Students explore state and
national heritage by examining the
celebration of patriotic holidays and the
contributions of individuals. The concept of
chronology is introduced. Students apply
geographic concepts of location and
physical and human characteristics of
place. Students identify basic human
needs and ways people met these needs.
Students learn the purpose of rules and
the role of authority figures in the home
and school. Students learn customs,
symbols, and celebrations that represent
American beliefs and principles and
contribute to our national identity.
Students compare family customs and
traditions and describe examples of
technology in the home and school.
Students acquire information from a
variety of oral and visual sources.
Students practice problem-solving,
decision-making, and independentthinking skills.
(2) To support the teaching of the
essential knowledge and skills, the use of
a variety of rich material is encouraged.
Motivating resources are available from
museums, historical sites, presidential
libraries, online tours, and local and state
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
You’re a Grand Old Flag and a children’s
biography of George Washington.
Motivating resources are also available
from museums, historical sites,
presidential libraries, and local and state
preservation societies.
(3) The eight strands of the essential
knowledge and skills for social studies are
intended to be integrated for instructional
purposes. Skills listed in the geography
and social studies skills strands in
subsection (b) of this section should be
incorporated into the teaching of all
essential knowledge and skills for social
studies. A greater depth of understanding
of complex content material can be
attained when integrated social studies
content from the various disciplines and
critical-thinking skills are taught together.
2010 TEKS
Differences/Notes
preservation societies.
(3) The eight strands of the essential
knowledge and skills for social studies are
intended to be integrated for instructional
purposes. Skills listed in the social studies
skills strand in subsection (b) of this
section should be incorporated into the
teaching of all essential knowledge and
skills for social studies. A greater depth of
understanding of complex content material
can be attained when integrated social
studies content from the various
disciplines and critical-thinking skills are
taught together. Statements that contain
the word “including” reference content that
must be mastered, while those containing
the phrase “such as” are intended as
possible illustrative examples.
(4) Students identify the role of the U.S.
free enterprise system within the
parameters of this course and understand
that this system may also be referenced
as capitalism or the free market system.
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
(4) Throughout social studies in
Kindergarten-Grade 12, students build a
foundation in history; geography;
economics; government; citizenship;
culture; science, technology, and society;
and social studies skills. The content, as
appropriate for the grade level or course,
enables students to understand the
importance of patriotism, function in a free
enterprise society, and appreciate the
basic democratic values of our state and
nation as referenced in the Texas
Education Code, §28.002(h).
(5) Throughout social studies in
Kindergarten-Grade 12, students build a
foundation in history; geography;
economics; government; citizenship;
culture; science, technology, and society;
and social studies skills. The content, as
appropriate for the grade level or course,
enables students to understand the
importance of patriotism, function in a free
enterprise society, and appreciate the
basic democratic values of our state and
nation as referenced in the Texas
Education Code (TEC), §28.002(h).
Differences/Notes
(6) Students understand that a
constitutional republic is a representative
form of government whose representatives
derive their authority from the consent of
the governed, serve for an established
tenure, and are sworn to uphold the
constitution.
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
Differences/Notes
(7) Students must demonstrate learning
performance related to any federal and
state mandates regarding classroom
instruction. Although Kindergarten is not
required to participate in Celebrate
Freedom Week, according to the TEC,
§29.907, primary grades lay the
foundation for subsequent learning. As a
result, Kindergarten Texas essential
knowledge and skills include standards
related to this patriotic observance.
{8) Students identify and discuss how the
actions of U.S. citizens and the local,
state, and federal governments have
either met or failed to meet the ideals
espoused in the founding documents.
(b) Knowledge and Skills.
Kindergarten Social Studies – History Strand
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
(1) History. The student understands
that holidays are celebrations of
special events. The student is
expected to:
(A) explain the reasons for national
patriotic holidays such as Presidents’ Day
and Independence Day; and
(1) History. The student understands
that holidays are celebrations of
special events. The student is
expected to:
(A) explain the reasons for national
patriotic holidays such as Presidents’ Day,
Veterans Day, and Independence Day;
and
(B) identify customs associated with
national patriotic holidays such as parades
and fireworks on Independence Day.
(B) identify customs associated with
national patriotic holidays such as parades
and fireworks on Independence Day.
Differences/Notes
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
Differences/Notes
(2) History. The student understands
how historical figures and ordinary
people helped to shape the community,
state, and nation. The student is
expected to:
(A) identify the contributions of historical
figures such as Stephen F. Austin and
George Washington who helped to shape
our state and nation; and
(2) History. The student understands
how historical figures, patriots, and
good citizens helped shape the
community, state, and nation. The
student is expected to:
(A) identify contributions of historical
figures, including Stephen F. Austin,
George Washington, Christopher
Columbus, and Jose Antonio Navarro,
who helped to shape the state and nation;
and
(B) identify ordinary people who have
(B) identify contributions of patriots and
shaped the community.
good citizens who have shaped the
community.
(3) History. The student understands
(3) History. The student understands
the concept of chronology. The student the concept of chronology. The student
is expected to:
is expected to:
(A) place events in chronological order;
(A) place events in chronological order;
and
and
(B) use vocabulary related to time and
(B) use vocabulary related to time and
chronology, including before, after, next,
chronology, including before, after, next,
first, and last.
first, last, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Kindergarten Social Studies – Geography Strand
(4) Geography. The student
(4) Geography. The student
understands the concept of location.
understands the concept of location.
The student is expected to:
The student is expected to:
(A) use terms, including over, under, near, (A) use terms, including over, under, near,
far, left, and right, to describe relative
far, left, and right, to describe relative
location; and
location;
(B) locate places on the school campus
(B) locate places on the school campus
and describe their relative locations.
and describe their relative locations; and
(C) identify tools that aid in determining
location, including maps and globes.
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
Differences/Notes
(5) Geography. The student
understands the physical and human
characteristics of the environment. The
student is expected to:
(A) identify the physical characteristics of
places such as landforms, bodies of water,
natural resources, and weather; and
(B) identify the human characteristics of
places such as types of houses and ways
of earning a living.
(5) Geography. The student
understands physical and human
characteristics of place. The student is
expected to:
(A) identify the physical characteristics of
places such as landforms, bodies of water,
natural resources, and weather; and
(B) identify how the human characteristics
of place such as ways of earning a living,
shelter, clothing, food, and activities are
based upon geographic location.
Kindergarten Social Studies – Economics Strand
(6) Economics. The student
(6) Economics. The student
understands that basic human needs
understands that basic human needs
and wants are met in many ways. The
and wants are met in many ways. The
student is expected to:
student is expected to:
(A) identify basic human needs; and
(A) identify basic human needs of food,
clothing, and shelter;
(B) explain the difference between needs
and wants; and
(B) explain how basic human needs of
(C) explain how basic human needs can
food, clothing, and shelter can be met.
be met such as through self-producing,
purchasing, and trading.
(7) Economics. The student
(7) Economics. The student
understands the importance of jobs.
understands the value of jobs. The
The student is expected to:
student is expected to:
(A) identify jobs in the home, school, and
(A) identify jobs in the home, school, and
community; and
community; and
(B) explain why people have jobs.
(B) explain why people have jobs.
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
Differences/Notes
Kindergarten Social Studies – Government Strand
(8) Government. The student
(8) Government. The student
understands the purpose for rules. The understands the purpose for rules. The
student is expected to:
student is expected to:
(A) identify purposes for having rules; and (A) identify purposes for having rules; and
(B) identify rules that provide order,
(B) identify rules that provide order,
security, and safety in the home and
security, and safety in the home and
school.
school.
(9) Government. The student
(9) Government. The student
understands the role of authority
understands the role of authority
figures. The student is expected to:
figures. The student is expected to:
(A) identify authority figures in the home,
(A) identify authority figures in the home,
school, and community; and
school, and community; and
(B) explain how authority figures make and (B) explain how authority figures make and
enforce rules.
enforce rules.
Kindergarten Social Studies – Citizenship Strand
(10) Citizenship. The student
(10) Citizenship. The student
understands important customs,
understands important symbols,
symbols, and celebrations that
customs, and responsibilities that
represent American beliefs and
represent American beliefs and
principles and contribute to our
principles and contribute to our
national identity. The student is
national identity. The student is
expected to:
expected to:
(A) identify the flags of the United States
(A) identify the flags of the United States
and Texas;
and Texas;
(B) recite the Pledge of Allegiance; and
(B) recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the
United States Flag and the Pledge to the
Texas Flag;
(C) identify Constitution Day as a
celebration of American freedom; and
(C) explain the use of voting as a method
(D) use voting as a method for group
for group decision making.
decision making.
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
Differences/Notes
Kindergarten Social Studies – Culture Strand
(11) Culture. The student understands
(11) Culture. The student understands
similarities and differences among
similarities and differences among
people. The student is expected to:
people. The student is expected to:
(A) identify personal attributes common to
all people such as physical characteristics;
and
(B) identify differences among people.
(A) identify similarities and differences
among people such as kinship, laws, and
religion; and
(B) identify similarities and differences
among people such as music, clothing,
and food.
(12) Culture. The student understands
(12) Culture. The student understands
how people learn about themselves
the importance of family customs and
through family customs and traditions. traditions. The student is expected to:
The student is expected to:
(A) identify family customs and traditions
(A) describe and explain the importance of
and explain their importance;
family customs and traditions; and
(B) compare family customs and traditions; (B) compare family customs and traditions.
and
(C) describe customs of the local
community.
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
Differences/Notes
Kindergarten Social Studies – Science, Technology, and Society Strand
(13) Science, technology, and society.
(13) Science, technology, and society.
The student understands ways
The student understands ways
technology is used in the home and
technology is used in the home and
school. The student is expected to:
school and how technology affects
people’s lives. The student is expected
(14) Science, technology, and society.
The student understands ways in which to:
technology has changed how people
live. The student is expected to:
Combined with new K13 Knowledge
and Skill
(13A) identify examples of technology
(13A) identify examples of technology
used in the home and school; and
used in the home and school;
(13B) describe how technology helps
(13B) describe how technology helps
accomplish specific tasks.
accomplish specific tasks and meet
people’s needs; and
(14A) describe how his or her life might be (13C) describe how his or her life might be
different without modern technology; and
different without modern technology.
New K13C TEKS
(14B) list ways in which technology meets
people’s needs. New K13C TEKS
Kindergarten Social Studies – Social Studies Skills Strand
(15) Social studies skills. The student
(14) Social studies skills. The student
applies critical-thinking skills to
applies critical-thinking skills to
organize and use information acquired
organize and use information acquired
from a variety of sources including
from a variety of valid sources,
electronic technology. The student is
including electronic technology. The
expected to:
student is expected to:
(A) obtain information about a topic using
(A) obtain information about a topic using
a variety of oral sources such as
a variety of valid oral sources such as
conversations, interviews, and music;
conversations, interviews, and music;
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
(B) obtain information about a topic using
a variety of visual sources such as
pictures, symbols, television, maps,
computer images, print material, and
artifacts;
(C) sequence and categorize information;
and
(D) identify main ideas from oral, visual,
and print sources.
(B) obtain information about a topic using
a variety of valid visual sources such as
pictures, symbols, electronic media, print
material, and artifacts; and
(16) Social studies skills. The student
communicates in written, oral, and
visual forms. The student is expected
to:
(A) express ideas orally based on
knowledge and experiences; and
(B) create and interpret visuals, including
pictures and maps.
(17) Social studies skills. The student
uses problem-solving and decisionmaking skills, working independently
and with others, in a variety of settings.
The student is expected to:
(A) use a problem-solving process 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; and
(15) Social studies skills. The student
communicates in oral and visual forms.
The student is expected to:
Differences/Notes
(C) sequence and categorize information.
(A) express ideas orally based on
knowledge and experiences; and
(B) create and interpret visuals, including
pictures and maps.
(16) Social studies skills. The student
uses problem-solving and decisionmaking skills, working independently
and with others, in a variety of settings.
The student is expected to:
(A) use a problem-solving process 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; and
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Kindergarten Social Studies TEKS
Blue = New TEKS Language Red = Deleted TEKS Language
1997 TEKS
2010 TEKS
(B) use a decision-making process to
identify a situation that requires a decision,
gather information, identify options, predict
consequences, and take action to
implement a decision.
(B) use a decision-making process to
identify a situation that requires a decision,
gather information, generate options,
predict outcomes, take action to
implement a decision, and reflect on the
effectiveness of the decision.
Differences/Notes
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