Grade 3 • Social Studies How to Support Your Child

Grade 3 Social Studies

How To Support Your Child

Family Field Trips

• Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Station (Ellicott City, MD) http://www.borail.org/Ellicott-City-Station.aspx Links to an external site.
• Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum (Baltimore, MD) http://www.borail.org/ Links to an external site.
• Heritage Orientation Center (Ellicott City, MD) http://www.ellicottcity.net/tourism/attractions/heritage_orientation_center Links to an external site.
• Ellicott City Colored School, Restored (Ellicott City, MD) http://www.ellicottcity.net/tourism/attractions/ellicott_city_colored_school Links to an external site.
• Thomas Isaac Log Cabin (Ellicott City, MD) http://thomasisaaclogcabin.ellicottcity.net/ Links to an external site.
• Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum (Hagerstown, MD) http://www.roundhouse.org/ Links to an external site.
• Gaitherburg Community Museum (Gaitherburg, MD) http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/about-gaithersburg/city-facilities/gaithersburg-community-museum Links to an external site.
• Baltimore Museum of Industry (Baltimore, MD) http://www.thebmi.org/ Links to an external site.
• National Night Out on August 2nd (Laurel, MD) https://natw.org/ Links to an external site.
• Cultural Showcase at Roger Carter Community Center on November 12th (Ellicott City, MD) https://apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity_search/cultural-showcase/57563? Links to an external site.
• Howard County Historical Society (Ellicott City, MD) http://hchsmd.org/ Links to an external site.
• The Bureau of Engraving and Printing - U.S. Currency (Washington, D.C.) http://www.moneyfactory.gov/ Links to an external site.
  
• United States Mint (Philadelphia, PA) https://www.usmint.gov/ Links to an external site.
  
• Open a savings account for your child at a local bank
  
• Find global connections close to home. Have your students log their global connections over a period of time (a day, a week, or more)—who they talk with, what they eat, what they wear, what they read, watch, listen to. Use the global closet calculator Links to an external site. to teach about the interconnectedness of clothes.
• Explore the planet using technology. From free 2-D customizable maps Links to an external site. to 3-D Earths Links to an external site., there are possibilities like never before to see our planet in new ways. Zooming into places can also create a new perspective on how geography impacts current events. Learn about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Links to an external site. software and how it’s changing the way we explore.

Skills to focus on in the home and community

• Explore your community's history.
• Discuss why people move to your community and others.
• Celebrate diversity of cultures/nationalities by attending multicultural events.
• Use family photos to construct a family history. Discuss your family's heritage.
  
  

Geography and Map Skills

• Encourage your child to find his/her current location on a map.
• Use the cardinal directions to describe where different regions and landmarks are located in relation to one another.
• View different kinds of maps together - climate, topographical, political, etc.
• Identify continents, countries, major cities, oceans.
• Calculate approximate distance on a map using the scale. Use the key to identify the meanings of different symbols.
• Create maps together, perhaps of the area around your house.
• Discuss why people might want to move into or out of a certain region.
• Describe the distinguishing characteristics of regions - climate, vegetation, natural/physical features, etc. 
  
  

Historical Thinking Skills

• Examine primary and secondary historical documents. Discuss the information they provide, and their credibility.
• Explore several sources about the same historical event. Find the points of agreement and disagreement. Discuss and weigh different perspectives.
• Encourage your child to support arguments about history with evidence.
• Encourage your child to ask questions about history.
• Discuss cause and effect when investigating historical events.
  
  

Economics and Financial Literacy Skills

• Discuss different ways of paying for things - cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks - and the advantages and disadvantages to each.
• Discuss the concept of income, wage, and salary. Discuss how your family earns its income, and how it's used.
• Discuss the skills the adults in your family need to do their jobs. Discuss your child's strengths, and how these could lead to a career.
• Consider creating or finding small jobs that would allow your child to earn money.
• Talk about saving, and the concept of "saving for a rainy day." Encourage your child to put his/her money in different "pots" - "Save," "Spend," "Give," and even "Invest."
• Discuss how and why people save and borrow money.
• Discuss needs and wants.
• Help your child open a savings account, and make occasional deposits. Watch the balance as it grows over time.
• Create a budget together.
• Serve as a role model of wise spending for your child. Share how you use your money wisely.
• Discuss how supply and demand impacts pricing.
• Check out the Mint's "Pointers for Parents" page: http://themint.org/parents/parent-blog.html.
  
  Links to an external site.

Government and Civics

• Use https://newsela.com/ Links to an external site. to read about current events with your child. Discuss local and other relevant issues.
• Participate in community service together.
• Take your child with you when you vote, and explain democratic principles.
• Read about people who are/were good examples of democratic citizens, such as those who peacefully fought for equality.
• Discuss what citizenship means, including rights and responsibilities of citizens.
• Search for and discuss local citizens who generously contribute to the good of the community.
• Discuss why our local, state, and national government collect taxes.