Grade 3 Social Studies

What your child will learn and do in Grade 3 Social Studies

In grade three Social Studies,  students will focus on an investigation of “Connecticut: Past and present.” Students will analyze the impact of geography, government, and economics to study the history and contemporary society of their state.  Four units of study throughout the year trace Connecticut history and geography from Native American cultures to today.  Through the study of Connecticut, students will build foundational knowledge and skills which will support their studies in Grade 4 and Grade 5.  Within each unit of study, both student-centered inquiry and literacy connections will be embedded into lessons.  Activities in these areas include:

  • Identifying various historical regional events, landmarks, and key figures in CT

  • Analyzing how and why people settled in various areas within their community and state

  • Explaining how geographic features and natural resources shape people’s lives in CT

  • Understanding the basic government structure of CT

  • Providing examples of goods and services in their town and state

  • Creating timelines of important local events

  • Using evidence to examine different points of view of people in CT’s past

  • Reading texts about history and social studies, and answering text-based questions about what they learned


Helping your child learn outside of school:    

  • Make your child aware of age-appropriate current events. Discuss current events and encourage your child to watch the news and/or read the newspaper.

  • Visit local site, specifically important CT landmarks (state capitol, Hartford Public Library, Wadsworth, Mark Twain House, Old State House) to help increase your child’s exposure to new knowledge and vocabulary.

  • Encourage your child to read stories, books or biographies based on different people in their town or in CT. Read the same book as your child and discuss it.

  • Encourage your child to notice things in their community and historical markers, statues, and other important sites. 

  • Encourage your child to explain his/her projects to you or practice a presentation the night before it is due.

  • Share family traditions, stories, and culture with your child. Encourage your child to interview family members such as grandparents to learn family history.  

  • Use real-life opportunities to develop an understanding of geography concepts and map skills.

  • Encourage service and responsibility. Either through school or as a family, your child can experience providing service to others and/or being a responsible citizen through community giving. 


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