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2nd grade · Social Studies · Unit 3 of 9

Communities Compared

City, village, rural and urban

What your child practices

Comparing communities around the world: what they share (basic needs, school, play) and how they differ (size, climate, jobs, travel).

Maine Learning Results learning standard: Geography 2 · how the features of a place shape the lives of the people in different communities

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Urban communities are cities: many people, buildings and busy streets.
  2. Rural communities have more open space and fewer people.
  3. All communities need food, water, shelter and clothing.

Example: Which place is likely quieter and has more open space? Cities are busy and crowded. The countryside has fields and fewer people. Answer: a rural area

Communities Compared in Maine

In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 3 of 9 in 2nd grade Social Studies, after Then & Now and before Our Community Changes.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Maine Department of Education

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Why do people live in communities?

    • To avoid everyone
    • To share places, help each other and get what they need
    • To be alone

  2. Question 2

    In a big city, how do many people get around?

    • only boats
    • only horses
    • buses, trains and subways

  3. Question 3

    Which place would have more cars and buses?

    • a tiny village
    • a big city
    • a small farm

  4. Question 4

    To compare two communities, you can make a list of how they are…

    • the same and different
    • only the same
    • only the colors

  5. Question 5

    In a small village, how might people travel?

    • only a subway
    • walking, bikes or a car
    • only an airplane

  6. Question 6

    What do all communities need?

    • food, water, shelter and clothing
    • TV and toys only
    • snow

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