Geography, Humans, and the Environment
Unit Description: In this unit, students will develop a beginning understanding that geographic regions have unifying characteristics and can be studied using a variety of tools. They will learn to recognize and identify that the location of world communities can be described using geographic tools and vocabulary. The students will examine how geographic factors influence where people settle and form communities and learn to identify and explain how people adapt to and modify their environment in different ways to meet their needs.
Essential Outcomes of the Unit
- develop a beginning understanding about communities around the globe and about global citizenship
- make comparisons across time and space, examining different communities and their cultures
- recognize that culture includes social organization, customs and traditions, language, arts and literature, religion, forms of government, and economic systems
- Develop awareness of concepts of prejudice, discrimination and human rights, as well as to social action.
Standards
- Standard 1- U.S. & N.Y. History
- Standard 3- Geography
- Standard 5- Civics, Citizenship and Gov’t
Essential Questions and Big Ideas
- BI: Looking at the world and where humans fit
- How do we look at the geographical world we live in?
- Where are we in comparison to other parts of the world?
- How do humans affect the world and communities they live in?
- How does technology impact the environment?
Prerequisite Skills
Teachers should select at least three communities that represent different regions of the world, types of communities (urban, suburban, and rural), and governmental structures. The communities selected should reflect the diversity of the local community. Students bring with them knowledge about their communities. The key ideas, conceptual understandings, and content specifications guide the study of communities while exploring the major themes of social studies. The various world communities, Key Ideas and social studies practices may be presented in any order.
Download the complete Grade 3 Social Studies – Geography, Humans, and the Environment framework to customize for your own planning.