Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
Unit 1: Geography Skills
Essential Question: What makes Indiana part of a region?
3.3.1 Use labels and symbols to locate and identify physical and political features on maps and/or globes.
3.3.2 Label a map of the Midwest, identifying states, major rivers, lakes and the Great Lakes.
3.3.3 Locate Indiana and other Midwestern states on maps using simple grid systems.
3.3.4 Identify the northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres; cardinal and intermediate directions; and
determine the direction and distance from one place to another
3.3.5 Explain that regions are areas that have similar physical and cultural characteristics*. Identify Indiana and the local
community as part of a specific region.
3.3.6 Compare and contrast the physical characteristics of Indiana to neighboring states using words, illustrations, maps,
photographs, and other resources.
3.1.2 Explain why and how the local community was established and identify its founders and early settlers.
3.3.11 Describe how Native Americans and early settlers of Indiana adapted to and modified their environment to
survive.
3.1.1 Identify and describe Native American Woodland Indians who lived in the region when European settlers arrived.
3.1.5 Create simple timelines that identify important events in various regions of the state.
Suggested Target Questions:
What are the ways distance and location is measured on a map? 3.3.1, 3.3.3
What are the separate hemispheres featured on a globe? 3.3.1, 3.3.4
How can we locate the Midwest region on a U.S. Map? 3.3.2
What are the states located within the Midwest on a U.S. map? 3.3.3, 3.3.6
What are some other regions found on a U.S. map? 3.3.5
What makes regions different? How is Indiana a part of a unique region? 3.3.6
Who were the first settlers of Indiana? 3.3.11
Where were some of their first communities? 3.1.2
How did they shape their first communities? 3.1.5
Text-based Resources:
Timelinks: Indiana Communities
(Macmillan/McGraw-Hill)
IDOE Resources for Course:
IDOE Home page http://www.doe.in.gov/
IDOE-Social Studies page http://www.doe.in.gov/standards/social-studies
IDOE Online Communities of Practice (see “3rd Grade”)
Web-based Resources:
National Atlas.gov --Printable and Viewable Maps – This is a
great resource that is free and can be broken down from U.S.
maps into individual state maps for a wide variety of categories
http://nationalatlas.gov/printable.html
Creating Maps and Map Activities for the Classroom
Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
http://www.doe.in.gov/elearning/online-communities-practice
IDOE-ISTEP+ Grades 3-8
http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/istep-grades-3-8
General Resources for Best Practices and Assessment
Differentiated Questioning
https://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/file/view/essential.pdf
10 Ways to Teach Geography (NY Times Learning Network)
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/all-over-the-map-10-ways-to-teach-aboutgeography/
Social Studies and the Young Learner (Pullout) – Geography Themes in Children’s
Literature with recommended thematic rubric, reading list and bingo sheet – good
way to meet social studies learning targets with fiction read alouds!
ww.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/yl/2601/2601_Pullout.pdf
Helping Your Child Learn Geography – Great teaching tips on how to teach
geography essentials
http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Geography/index.html
Social Studies Lessons by Calendar – Teacher Curriculum Institute – Complete
lessons thematically organized through social studies related calendar events
http://www.teachtci.com/free-social-studies-lessons.html
http://heawww.harvard.edu/ECT/the_book/Chap4/Chapter4.html
GENI Geography Lesson Resource Site (many elementary
lessons)
http://www.iupui.edu/~geni/lesson_plans.html
What Do Maps Show? – U.S. Geological Survey – K-5 level
lessons
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb//pubs/teacherspackets/mapshow/lesson3.html
The Midwest – Regional overview with images depicting
regional features – teacher resource that can be transformed
into effective presentation material for students
http://www.wlcsd.org/Loonlake.cfm?subpage=1697583
Nibble Indiana! – Fun Indiana map project that reviews state
geography and physical features – Full lesson plan
http://lessonplanspage.com/ssediblegeographynibbleindiana4htm/
Indiana Takes the Cake! – How about one more food theme
geography lesson? – too tasty to pass up! (scroll down to
“Indiana Takes the Cake”)
http://www.iupui.edu/~geni/
Fact Monster (Click on “U.S.” and use site to review U.S.
geography, states, cities)
http://www.factmonster.com/
Description of Native American Tribes of Indiana (a concise list
of the early Native Americans of Midwest – good for inquiry
research but needs some simplifying as a 3rd grade inquiry
document)
http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/hind.pdf
Teacher Curriculum Institute -*Eiteljorg Museum – Interactive Map of Miami Indian
Settlement (People’s Place) – Fabulous online resource with
many overlays of maps and recorded Miami Indian words for
many place names in Indiana!
http://www.eiteljorg.org/learn/resources
Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
What brought settlers to the Midwest? – Examining land
advertisements from different periods of American settlement
– posters with images for interpretation
http://chnm.gmu.edu/tah-loudoun/blog/lessons/whatbrought-settlers-to-the-midwest/
Example Unit Assessment
Unit Assessment Question: Where would you like to go in the Midwest?
1) Use the link below to download and print of cards to guide students through places they
want to visit on a regional map of Midwest (this lesson is based off of Dr. Suess’ “Oh the
Places I Want to Go” but instead of the world its focused by region.
2) Have students fill out their cards after referencing a regional map
3) Next, have them categorize their places (town, city, park, other) and explain where they
place is (cardinal directions!) from their community
Oh! The Places I Want to Go: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/category/geography
Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
Unit 2: Founding a Community
Essential Question: How did people work together to build communities and regions?
3.1.1 Identify and describe Native American Woodland Indians who lived in the region when European settlers arrived.
3.1.2 Explain why and how the local community was established and identify its founders and early settlers.
3.1.3 Describe the role of the local community and other communities in the development of the state’s regions.
3.1.4 Give examples of people, events and developments that brought important changes to your community and the
region where your community is located.
3.1.7 Distinguish between fact and fiction in historical accounts by comparing documentary sources on historical figures
and events with fictional characters and events in stories
3.1.8 Describe how your community has changed over time and how it has stayed the same.
Suggested Target Questions:
Who were the first settlers of Indiana? 3.3.11
Where were some of their first communities? 3.1.2
How did Native American and other settlers get along in the Midwest region? 3.1.1
How did these settlers they shape their first communities? 3.1.5
How did the communities shape their city, state and region as they grew bigger? 3.1.4, 3.1.7
In what way has your neighborhood and city stayed the same over time? In what way has it changed over time? 3.1.8
Text-based Practice:
Timelinks: Indiana Communities
(Macmillan/McGraw-Hill)
IDOE Resources for Course:
IDOE Home page http://www.doe.in.gov/
IDOE-Social Studies page http://www.doe.in.gov/standards/socialstudies
IDOE Online Communities of Practice (see “3rd Grade”)
http://www.doe.in.gov/elearning/online-communities-practice
IDOE-ISTEP+ Grades 3-8
http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/istep-grades-3-8
General Resources for Best Practices and Assessment
Differentiated Questioning
https://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/file/view/essential.pdf
10 Ways to Teach Geography (NY Times Learning Network)
Web-based Practice:
National Atlas.gov --Printable and Viewable Maps – This is a great resource that is
free and can be broken down from U.S. maps into individual state maps for a wide
variety of categories
http://nationalatlas.gov/printable.html
Creating Maps and Map Activities for the Classroom
http://hea-www.harvard.edu/ECT/the_book/Chap4/Chapter4.html
GENI Geography Lesson Resource Site (many elementary lessons)
http://www.iupui.edu/~geni/lesson_plans.html
What Do Maps Show? – U.S. Geological Survey – K-5 level lessons
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb//pubs/teachers-packets/mapshow/lesson3.html
The Midwest – Regional overview with images depicting regional features – teacher
resource that can be transformed into effective presentation material for students
http://www.wlcsd.org/Loonlake.cfm?subpage=1697583
Fact Monster (Click on “U.S.” and use site to review U.S. geography, states, cities)
Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/all-over-the-map10-ways-to-teach-about-geography/
http://www.factmonster.com/
Description of Native American Tribes of Indiana (a concise list of the early Native
Social Studies and the Young Learner (Pullout) – Geography
Americans of Midwest – good for inquiry research but needs some simplifying as a
Themes in Children’s Literature with recommended
3rd grade inquiry document)
thematic rubric, reading list and bingo sheet – good way to
http://www.eiteljorg.org/learn/resources
meet social studies learning targets with fiction read alouds! Life in a Pioneer Village – Complete unit plan on community building in pioneer
ww.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/yl/2601/260 times (not entirely Midwest focused but still effective)
1_Pullout.pdf
http://81west.com/curriculum/Grade%203/Social%20studies3/pioneer_life.pdf
Helping Your Child Learn Geography – Great teaching tips on Conner Prairie Lesson – Native American and White Settler Trading – Examines
how to teach geography essentials
object of early community trading
http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Geography/index.html
http://www.connerprairie.org/site-assets/documents/-Teachers/Lenape-IndiansSocial Studies Lessons by Calendar – Teacher Curriculum
and-the-Fur-Trade-Activity.aspx
Institute – Complete lessons thematically organized through What brought settlers to the Midwest? – Examining land advertisements from
social studies related calendar events
different periods of American settlement – posters with images for interpretation
http://www.teachtci.com/free-social-studies-lessons.html
http://chnm.gmu.edu/tah-loudoun/blog/lessons/what-brought-settlers-to-themidwest/
Discovery Education -- U.S. Geography and Economy of the Midwest – Agriculture
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/us-geography-themidwest.cfm
Calhoun ISD District Unit on Settlement in Midwest – Highlights effect of canals,
automobile and Potato Famine on the settlement patterns of the region
http://www.google.com/search?q=important+founders+of+the+midwest&rlz=1C1C
HFX_enUS594US596&oq=important+founders+of+the+midwest&aqs=chrome..69i57
j0.8437j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=0&ie=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl&safe=
Example Unit Assessment
Unit Assessment Question: How did Native Americans and other settler communities in the Midwest get along through trade?
Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
http://www.connerprairie.org/site-assets/documents/-Teachers/Lenape-Indians-and-the-FurTrade-Activity.aspx
1) Through the link above, have students identify the objects of trade between the Lenape
people (Delaware Indians) and other early settlers in Indiana
2) Have students create a community web (web diagram) for the region at the time (identify
all the people connected through this type of economic activity) and ask them to place this past
community on a timeline to compare it to other communities that came later in the region.
3) Does this type of community with stories they have heard about the past? Ask them to
compare myth and legend with historical fact
Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
Unit 3: Researching Your Community
Essential Question: How has your community changed over time?
3.1.5 Create simple timelines that identify important events in various regions of the state.
3.1.6 Use a variety of resources to gather information about your region’s communities
3.1.8 Describe how your community has changed over time and how it has stayed the same.
Suggested Target Questions:
What is research? 3.1.6
What are the best ways to do research? 3.1.6
What can timelines help us understand about the people and places where we live? 3.1.5
How can we use research and timelines to find changes in our community over time? 3.1.5, 3.1.6
Why do some things not change in a community over time? 3.1.5, 3.1.6
Text-based Practice:
Web-based Practice:
Timelinks: Indiana Communities
National Atlas.gov --Printable and Viewable Maps – This is a great
(Macmillan/McGraw-Hill)
resource that is free and can be broken down from U.S. maps into
individual state maps for a wide variety of categories
IDOE Resources for Course:
http://nationalatlas.gov/printable.html
IDOE Home page http://www.doe.in.gov/
Creating Maps and Map Activities for the Classroom
IDOE-Social Studies page http://www.doe.in.gov/standards/social-studies
http://hea-www.harvard.edu/ECT/the_book/Chap4/Chapter4.html
IDOE Online Communities of Practice (see “3rd Grade”)
GENI Geography Lesson Resource Site (many elementary lessons)
http://www.doe.in.gov/elearning/online-communities-practice
http://www.iupui.edu/~geni/lesson_plans.html
IDOE-ISTEP+ Grades 3-8
What Do Maps Show? – U.S. Geological Survey – K-5 level lessons
http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/istep-grades-3-8
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb//pubs/teachersGeneral Resources for Best Practices and Assessment
packets/mapshow/lesson3.html
Spelling City – Great online vocabulary review site – covers 3rd grade social studies
The Midwest – Regional overview with images depicting regional
terms
features – teacher resource that can be transformed into effective
http://www.spellingcity.com/third-grade-social-studies-vocabulary.html
presentation material for students
Differentiated Questioning
http://www.iupui.edu/~geni/
https://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/file/view/essential.pdf
Fact Monster (Click on “U.S.” and use site to review U.S. geography,
10 Ways to Teach Geography (NY Times Learning Network)
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/all-over-the-map-10-ways-to-teach- states, cities)
about-geography/
http://www.factmonster.com/
Social Studies and the Young Learner (Pullout) – Geography Themes in
What brought settlers to the Midwest? – Examining land
Children’s Literature with recommended thematic rubric, reading list and
advertisements from different periods of American settlement –
bingo sheet – good way to meet social studies learning targets with fiction
posters with images for interpretation
read alouds!
Social Studies: 3rd Grade Pacing Resource Document
ww.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/yl/2601/2601_Pullout.pdf
Helping Your Child Learn Geography – Great teaching tips on how to teach
geography essentials
http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Geography/index.html
Social Studies Lessons by Calendar – Teacher Curriculum Institute –
Complete lessons thematically organized through social studies related
calendar events
http://www.teachtci.com/free-social-studies-lessons.html
Teacher Resources for Timelines and Conducting Research
Teaching with Timelines – Teachinghistory.org – In-depth guide
http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/teaching-guides/24347
Edutopia.org -- Research in the Elementary Grades
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/elementary-research-mary-beth-hertz
Research Method for Primary Grades – Unit covers practical steps for
students to build a research project (example topic is Animals)
http://www.humbleisd.net/cms/lib2/TX01001414/Centricity/Domain/29/res
earchguideELEM.pdf
http://chnm.gmu.edu/tah-loudoun/blog/lessons/what-broughtsettlers-to-the-midwest/
Our Changing Community – University of Vermont Dept. of
Education -- Grade 3 Model Unit on Community Change project –
full unit with lessons and research activities
http://www.uvm.edu/landscape/learn/Downloads/DTS_Lessons/co
nduct_research.pdf
Interactive Timeline Tool – Read, Write, Think
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/studentinteractives/timeline-30007.html