Social Studies Curriculum
Grade 3 - Unit 2
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September - November
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December - March
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April - June
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Geography
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Cultural Case Study:America
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Comparing Life in America to an Asian/African Country
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Comparing Life in America to another Asian/African Country
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Themes, Understandings And Overarching Essential Questions For This Unit
Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity
- Understanding: All people are similar. All people are different.
- Essential Question: How does culture explain who we are?
Theme 4: Geography, Humans and the Environment
- Understanding: Where we live affects how we live.
- Essential Question: How does where someone lives affect how they live?
Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance
- Understanding: American Government exists to help its citizens.
- Essential Questions: What is the role of Government?
Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
- Understanding: Decisions are based on needs, wants and consequences.
- Essential Question: How do our needs and wants affect our decisions?
Theme 10:Global Connections and Exchange
- Understanding: Interactions between groups of people can benefit some, while harming others.
- Essential Question: How does interaction between cultures and nations help some and hurt others?
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Specific Essential Questions For This Unit
Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity
- What are the common and diverse cultural elements in the United States?
Theme 4: Geography, Humans and the Environment
- How are the different regions impacted by the 5 themes of geography?
Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance
- What makes the United States Government a democracy?
Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
- In what ways does the United States depend on itself and others to fulfill its needs and wants?
Theme 10: Global Connections and Exchange
- In what ways does the United States depend on itself and others to fulfill its needs and wants?
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By The End Of This Unit Students Should Know
Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity
- Key Ideas: Communities and regions throughout the United States have common diverse cultural elements.
- Vocabulary: culture, citizen, community, events, monuments, symbols, diversity, Allegiance, pledge, ceremony, holidays, indivisible, library, justice
Theme 4: Geography, Humans and the Environment
- Key Ideas:Communities and regions of the United States are impacted by the 5 themes of geography.
- Vocabulary: landform, climate, ocean, plain, plateau, river, lake, mountain, valley, desert, island, isthmus, peninsula, delta, map, globe, legend key, north, south, east, west, scale, latitude, longitude, continent, grid, geography, region, location
Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance
- Key Ideas: The important ideas and institutions of the American Government.
- Vocabulary: justice, consequences, leaders, laws, democracy, rules, elect, Government, president, capitol, rights, privileges, responsibilities, Majority, minority, congress, senate, constitution, court, Supreme Court, House of Representatives
Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
- Key Ideas: The United States depends on itself and others to fulfill its needs and wants.
- Vocabulary: needs, wants, economy, products, goods, services, abundance, scarcity, imort, export, income, money, decision-making, capitol
Theme 10: Global Connections and Exchange
- Key Ideas: The United States depends on itself and others to fulfill its needs and wants.
- Vocabulary: needs, wants, economy, products, goods, services, abundance, scarcity, imort, export, income, money, decision-making, capitol
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By The End Of This Unit Students Should Be Able To
Theme 1: Individual Development and Cultural Identity
- Identify and explain the significance of national symbols.
- Explain the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Identify common American cultural elements.
Theme 4: Geography, Humans and the Environment
- Identify physical features of the United States.
- Explain how specific elements of geography impact peoples lives in the USA.
- Use a map to identify specific locations and natural resources in the USA.
Theme 6: Power, Authority and Governance
- Create a list of basic American ideals, rights and responsibilities.
- Identify the 3 branches of government.
Theme 8: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
- Identify needs and wants in an American household.
Theme 10:Global Connections and Exchange
- Identify needs and wants in an American household.
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Enrichment Resources
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