Miss Jenni's TEKS Support Page

Gather 'Round Children: America's Folk Song Heritage supports Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for grades K through 6 both directly and indirectly. Directly, the song, spoken, and incidental (costumes, instruments, etc.) elements of the show support many specific history and social studies curriculum goals. Indirectly, the show content gives children context and perspective for other concepts including ideas about animals, weather, economics, the natural world and bodies of water, culture and customs. The following abridged and re-ordered (for this html page) passages are taken from Texas Administrative Code Chapther 113: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies: Subchapter A Elementary, and are intended only as an example of how the show supports TEKS. Visit the online directory at the Texas Education Agency website in order to apply this sample to your specific grade, subjects and needs. In the example below, curriculum goals that are supported directly by Gather 'Round Children are noted in bold.

113.2. Social Studies, Kindergarten.

Introduction

• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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 values of our state and nation as referenced in the Texas Education Code, 28.002(h).

Knowledge and skills

History. The student understands how historical figures and ordinary people helped to shape the community, state, and nation. The student is expected to:
• identify the contributions of historical figures such as Stephen F. Austin and George Washington who helped to shape our state and nation; and
• identify ordinary people who have shaped the community.

Geography. The student understands the physical and human characteristics of the environment. The student is expected to:
• identify the human characteristics of places such as types of houses and ways of earning a living.

Economics. The student understands that basic human needs are met in many ways. The student is expected to:
• identify basic human needs; and
• explain how basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter can be met.

Culture. The student understands how people learn about themselves through family customs and traditions. The student is expected to:

• identify family customs and traditions and explain their importance;
• compare family customs and traditions; and
• describe customs of the local community.