Grade 3 • Social Studies What Your Child Will Learn
Each of the quarters is organized to help answer a compelling question that ties the unit together. Listed below is a brief description for each unit, compelling questions for each unit, and supporting questions for each unit.
Unit 1: How have communities changed over time?
In the fourth unit of social studies we will learn about the the past from a local, state, national and world-wide lens. This will include the use and creation of numerous timelines.
- How has the past influenced the present?
- What was life like in Ellicott City in the past?
- How has everyday life changed over time?
- When did different groups of people settle in Maryland?
- Who helped found Maryland?
- How do settlement patterns of the past compare with today?
Unit 2: How can I improve my community?
In the second unit of social studies we will learn about the importance individuals play in the welfare of their community. This will include looking at possible ways to participate to contribute to the betterment of the community.
- What does a good citizen do?
- How can individuals and community leaders work together in a democracy?
- What promises are made in our founding documents?
- What does democracy look like in the United States?
- How can I be sure my voice is heard?
- Why do citizens need to vote?
- How have others improved their community?
- What issues are affecting my community?
- How can I work with others to contribute to my community?
Unit 3: How can students help solve problems in their community?
In the third unit of social studies we will learn the role students can play in improving their community. This will include participating in a program from the Center for Civic Education called Project Citizen.
Project Citizen Involves:
- Brainstorming environmental problems in your community
- Identifying one problem that can be solved with a public policy
- Researching the selected problem
- Comparing multiple public policy solutions
- Identifying one solution and gathering supporting evidence
- Reflecting on the process for developing the policy
- Presenting finding
Project Citizen Lesson Sequence
- What steps do we take to make a decision?
- Do all community problems need a public policy?
- What are some environmental problems I can help solve as a third grade student?
- How can I trust that what I find from a source is true?
- How can I organize my findings?
- How can I make a public policy?
- What are some ways the government can help?
- How strong is my public policy proposal?
- What is my action plan?
- How will I share my public policy?
- What should I include in my presentation?
- Why reflect?
- How can I take action?
Unit 4: Why does location matter?
In the first unit of social studies we will learn about the importance of location. This will include looking at various human and natural characteristics of Maryland.
- How do regions differ across the state of Maryland?
- Why do industries differ across the state of Maryland?
- How do Maryland's entrepreneurs contribute to the state economy?
- What impacts where people live, work, and play in Maryland?
- Does human activity impact the environment?
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