3rd grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 3rd grade social studies in the New York State Learning Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Communities around the world
- Globes, maps, continents and hemispheres
- Cultures, governments and human rights
- How world communities meet their needs and trade
Easy ways to practice social studies at home
- Look at a map of your community and find places you visit.
- Ask an older relative or neighbor what the area was like when they were young.
- Read stories from many communities, including Indigenous authors, and talk about what is the same and different.
- Talk about how rules and jobs help a community work.
What each unit covers
Needs Around the World
Everyone needs food, water, shelter and clothing. How people in different places meet these needs using what the land and climate offer, and why caring for the land matters.
Communities Around the World
Practices daily life in communities around the world: homes, food, work and technology that suit the land and weather, cultural expression, respectful language about differences and how media can show only part of a place.
Globes & World Maps
Continents and oceans, the equator, prime meridian and hemispheres, map tools such as the title, key, compass rose, grid and scale, and finding world communities on a map or globe.
Communities Around the World
Communities in countries such as Japan, Brazil, Kenya, Egypt, India, Mexico and Peru: where people settle and why, how they adapt to and change their environment, languages, festivals, folktales and families.
Governments & Human Rights
Democracy, monarchy and dictatorship, how leaders are chosen around the world, the role of citizens, human rights, prejudice and discrimination, and peaceful ways people work for change.
Trade Around the World
Natural and human resources, the three economic questions, surplus and scarcity, how communities earn a living, money in other countries, and how ships, planes and the internet help communities trade.
Culture & Traditions
What culture is, cultural universals such as food, shelter and language, traditions, diversity, and how foods, games and ideas spread between communities.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the New York report card guide.
Common questions
Look at a map of your community and find places you visit. Ask an older relative or neighbor what the area was like when they were young. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The New York State Learning Standards 3rd grade social studies units include Needs Around the World, Communities Around the World, Globes & World Maps, Communities Around the World, Governments & Human Rights, Trade Around the World.
Free printable 3rd grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.