Social Studies Strategies for Third Grade

The third-grade social studies classes use maps and globes to explore the world.

A third-grade teacher's goal in social studies is to see that her students acquire the tools and skills to grow into competent citizens of the world. "The aim of social studies is the promotion of civic competence -- the knowledge, intellectual processes, and democratic dispositions required of students to be active and engaged participants in public life," states the National Council for Social Studies. In the third grade, the strategies focus on civics, economics, geography and history.

Teaching Civics

Contributing to a community art project helps children understand citizenship.

Civics is the study of how people interact, change and create systems of government. It also emphasizes how to become a citizen and the responsibilities of being one. Teach third-graders about their government by exposing them to the Constitution. The three words at the beginning of the Constitution, "We the people..." are pivotal in explaining where the power of the government lies.

Students can practice being good citizens of their country and the world by being good citizens of their classroom. Emphasize the importance of following rules, being an active member of the school and representing themselves, their classroom and their school in a respectful manner. School and community service projects, such as reading poetry at a senior lunch, cleaning up liter on school grounds and placing artwork in the local library all are activities that will help third-graders become caring, kind and responsible adults.

Economics Strategies

Economic studies is the science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, or the material welfare of humankind. Bring this down to a third-grade level by comparing and contrasting the goods, services, natural resources, human resources and trades of the early settlers in your community to those of today. Visit a local historical museum and study pictures from earlier days to see how people made a living and attained goods. Point out how goods were sold, crops were grown and prices of items visible in the old photos. Invite senior members of families who settled your area to visit the classroom and discuss how their ancestors came to the area and made their livings.

Geography Strategies

Stanley opens the door to studying the map.

Geography involves looking at the world in spatial terms. Display maps of the local area, state, country and world. Bring out the map whenever anyone is going on a trip or has visitors from another area. Begin a Flat Stanley project in your classroom. Flat Stanley is a paper doll that travels with the student or his friends and family. Each student cuts out and colors a Flat Stanley paper doll, then takes him on a trip or sends him with others going on one. Whomever has Stanley photographs him during their travels and either sends back photos or gives them to the student to use on a poster of the doll's travels. If no one is traveling, Stanley can be sent to friends or family in other places. Use Flat Stanley's pictures to discuss the geographical locations he visits.

History

Third-graders can begin understanding history by focusing on the history of their local area and comparing it to life as they know it. Make a large chart for the bulletin board with categories across the top such as religion, social structure, recreation, achievements and politics. Label the rows "yesterday" and "today." As students discover elements of these topics, have them draw a picture to place in the proper category and time frame. This display makes an eye-catching bulletin board, and is also informative.

References

• National Council of Social Studies: National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies / Introduction
• Education World: National Standards: Table of Contents
• National Council of Social Studies: National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: Chapter 2 - The Themes of Social Studies
• Center for Civic Education: Elementary School
• National Service Learning Clearinghouse: Benefits of Community - Based - Service Learning
• Dictionary: Economics

Resources

• Learning to Give: Lesson Plan - Early Settlers of a Community; Lynn Seber
• The Original Flat Stanley Project: Flat Stanley Project