History/Social Studies Curriculum Overview

Grade 3

 

Massachusetts, Our Cities and Towns

 

Drawing on information from local historic sites, historical societies, and museums, third graders learn about the history of Massachusetts from the time of the arrival of the Pilgrims. They also learn the history of their own cities and towns and about famous people and events in Massachusetts’ history.  (MA History and Social Science Curriculum Framework 2003)

 

Civics

Geography

History

Economics

Overarching Question:

 

Why do we need government?

 

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

 

Government is designed to protect the rights and property of its citizens.

 

Our nation was founded on principals identified in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overarching Question:

 

How do maps and globes help us better understand Massachusetts?

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

Maps are useful tools.

 

Maps can be used to learn about our town, state, country, and world.

 

Maps are representations of geographic information.

 

Massachusetts maps have changed throughout history to reflect changes in population and use of land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overarching Question:

 

Why does the past matter?

What is history?

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

Native Americans were the first people who lived in all areas of Massachusetts.

 

Native Americans adapted to different environments.

 

Native Americans helped people face the challenges of adapting to the new world.

 

The people from Massachusetts came from many different places for many different reasons. (Puritans/Pilgrims)

 

Many people in Massachusetts contributed to the development of the state.

 

What you do today is the history of tomorrow.

 

Many political, economic, and military developments led to the American Revolution.

 

The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights are key American documents

 

Environment affects the way people live.

 

 

 

Overarching Question:

 

How do people get the goods and services they need and want?

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

People make choices because they cannot have everything they want.

 

All choices require giving something up.

 

Tax is money people pay to the government for the greater good.

 

Money is used as a means for getting goods and services people want and need.

 

Governments use taxes to pay for things a community needs and wants.

 

 

 

 

 

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