Grade 3 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 3 social studies in the Newfoundland and Labrador Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Citizenship, power and governance. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the origins, functions, and sources of power, authority, and governance.
- Culture and diversity. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of culture, diversity, and world view, recognizing the similarities and differences reflected in various personal, cultural, racial, and ethnic perspectives.
- Individuals, societies and economic decisions. Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to make responsible economic decisions as individuals and as members of society.
- Interdependence. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interdependent relationship among individuals, societies, and the environment—locally, nationally, and globally—and the implications for a sustainable future.
- People, place and environment. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interactions among people, places, and the environment.
- Time, continuity and change. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the past and how it affects the present and the future.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Look at a map of your community and find places you visit.
- Ask an older relative or neighbour 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
Our Province: Newfoundland and Labrador
Practises where Newfoundland and Labrador is, its island and mainland parts, its provincial symbols, and well-known natural and historic places. It follows the Grade 3 social studies expectations on people, place and environment in the Newfoundland and Labrador curriculum.
Maps & Globes
Naming continents and oceans, using north, south, east and west on a simple town map, and reading map features such as a legend (key), compass rose and scale.
Groups, Leaders & Getting Along
Practises formal and informal leadership, fair group decisions, peaceful ways of solving conflicts and what to do about bullying, including respect for the teachings of Elders and community members.
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.
Cultures of the World
What culture means, how cultures differ (language, food, celebrations) and what people everywhere share, plus the rights and responsibilities of global citizens.
Indigenous Peoples of the World
Indigenous peoples around the world today, such as the Māori of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Sámi of northern Europe and Inuit of the Arctic: their homelands, languages and connections to the land, and what they share with Indigenous peoples in Canada.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Not Yet Achieving
- 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 practising the tricky parts.
- Good
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Excellent
- 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 Newfoundland and Labrador report card guide.
Common questions
Look at a map of your community and find places you visit. Ask an older relative or neighbour what the area was like when they were young. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Curriculum Grade 3 social studies units include our province: newfoundland and labrador, maps & globes, groups, leaders & getting along, needs around the world, cultures of the world, indigenous peoples of the world.
Free printable Grade 3 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.