Grade 3 Social Studies Proficiency Rubrics
Compares and contrasts how cultures are alike and different
4-Exceeds Standards
Evaluates characteristics to
compare and contrast how
cultures are alike and
different in the past and
present; and/or their
influence in the daily lives
of people.
3-Achieving Standards
Identifies characteristics
to compare and contrast
how cultures are alike and
different.
2-Nearly Meets or
Making Progress
Recognizes the
characteristics of various
cultures.
1-Not Yet Making
Sufficient Progress
Rarely is able to recognize
characteristics of various
cultures.
E.g. Venn diagrams, Families of the World (video series by Master Communications <www.familiesoftheworld.com>), PBS-My Beautiful House,
My Animal In Me, Inspector Gadget (video series), American Cultures for Children (Schlessinger video series hosted by Felicia Rashad)
Demonstrates knowledge of mapping skills
4-Exceeds Standards
Identifies the following on
a map or globe












compass rose (cardinal and
intermediate directions)
equator/Prime Meridian
(latitude/longitude)
North & South Poles
hemispheres
land forms
bodies of water
map key
map scale
map grids
symbols
borders
map types
3-Achieving Standards
Identifies the following on
a map or globe








compass rose
(cardinal & intermediate
directions)
equator
North & South Poles
land forms
bodies of water
map key
hemispheres
map grid (coordinates)
2-Nearly Meets or
Making Progress
Identifies the following on
a map or globe





compass rose
(cardinal directions)
equator
North & South Poles
land forms
bodies of water
1-Not Yet Making
Sufficient Progress
Makes numerous errors
when identifying the
following on a map or globe:





compass rose
(cardinal directions)
equator
North & South Poles
land forms
bodies of water
Identifies continents and oceans
4-Exceeds Standards
Identifies the location of
the seven continents and
four oceans from memory.
3-Achieving Standards
Identifies the location of
the seven continents and
four oceans when given a
list with no errors.
2-Nearly Meets or
Making Progress
Identifies the location of
the seven continents and
four oceans when given a
list with some errors.
1-Not Yet Making
Sufficient Progress
Makes many errors when
identifying the location of
the seven continents and
four oceans when given a
list.
Grade 3 Social Studies Proficiency Rubrics-September 2014
Grade 3 Social Studies Proficiency Rubrics, cont.
Identifies how change has affected personal lives and American history
4-Exceeds Standards
3-Achieving Standards
Accurately identifies the
cause and effect of given
changes in America as a
result of…

advances in technology
 communication,
 transportation,
 medicine

immigration to and
expansion of America

conflict
And able to evaluate its
effect on their own lives
Accurately identifies the
cause and effect of given
changes in America as a
result of…

advances in technology
 communication,
 transportation,
 medicine

immigration to and
expansion of America

conflict
2-Nearly Meets or
Making Progress
Identifies changes in
America as a result of…

advances in technology
 communication,
 transportation,
 medicine

immigration to and
expansion of America

conflict
However, not able to
identify the cause and
effect relationship.
1-Not Yet Making
Sufficient Progress
Unable to identify changes
in America as a result of…

advances in technology
 communication,
 transportation,
 medicine

immigration to and
expansion of America

conflict
Identifies the levels and purpose of government
4-Exceeds Standards
3-Achieving Standards
2-Nearly Meets or
Making Progress
Identifies and describes
the function of each of the
following components of
government:

3 levels: local, state,
national (federal)

3 branches: president
(executive), congress
(legislative), supreme
court (judicial);

their general purpose is
to make laws and
provide services; and

know the names of the
current local, state, and
national leaders
Identifies the following
about government with few
or no errors:
Makes some errors when
identifying the following
about government:




3 levels: local, state,
national (federal)
3 branches: president
(executive), congress
(legislative), supreme
court (judicial);
their general purpose is
to make laws and
provide services; and
know the names of the
current local, state, and
national leaders




3 levels: local, state,
national (federal)
3 branches: president
(executive), congress
(legislative), supreme
court (judicial);
their general purpose is
to make laws and
provide services; and
know the names of the
current local, state, and
national leaders
1-Not Yet Making
Sufficient Progress
Makes frequent errors
when identifying the
following about government:




3 levels: local, state,
national (federal)
3 branches: president
(executive), congress
(legislative), supreme
court (judicial);
their general purpose is
to make laws and
provide services; and
know the names of the
current local, state, and
national leaders
National holidays and symbols are taught throughout the year or as part of the government unit.
Grade 3 Social Studies Proficiency Rubrics-September 2014
Grade 3 Social Studies Proficiency Rubrics, cont.
Reads, interprets, and constructs a time line
4-Exceeds Standards
3-Achieving Standards
2-Nearly Meets or
Making Progress
1-Not Yet Making
Sufficient Progress
Accurately reads, creates,
and interprets information
from a timeline to organize
and interpret data with
careful consideration given
for showing passage of time
between given events.
Accurately reads, creates,
and interprets information
from a timeline to organize
and interpret data.
Inconsistently reads,
creates, and interprets
information from a timeline
to organize and interpret
data.
Makes frequent errors
when reading, creating, and
interpreting information
from a timeline to organize
and interpret data.
Recognizes economic factors which impact society
4-Exceeds Standards
3-Achieving Standards
2-Nearly Meets or
Making Progress
Given a list of economic
terms and definitions, the
student accurately matches
the following…

goods & services

needs & wants

supply & demand

consumer & producer

savings

spending

budget

economic decisions
and identifies the following
basic banking services…

savings account

checking account

change counter

ATM

debit & credit card
while providing examples of
such and its effect on their
lives.
Given a list of economic
terms and definitions, the
student accurately matches
the following with few or no
errors…

goods & services

needs & wants

supply & demand

consumer & producer

savings

spending

budget

economic decisions
and identifies the following
basic banking services…

savings account

checking account

change counter

ATM

debit & credit card
Given a list of economic
terms and definitions, the
student makes some errors
when matching the
following…

goods & services

needs & wants

supply & demand

consumer & producer

savings

spending

budget

economic decisions
and when identifying the
following basic banking
services…

savings account

checking account

change counter

ATM

debit & credit card
1-Not Yet Making
Sufficient Progress
Given a list of economic
terms and definitions, the
student makes frequent
errors when matching the
following…

goods & services

needs & wants

supply & demand

consumer & producer

savings

spending

budget

economic decisions
and when identifying the
following basic banking
services…

savings account

checking account

change counter

ATM

debit & credit card
Grade 3 Social Studies Proficiency Rubrics-September 2014