Third Grade Social Studies

I. PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ENVIRONMENTS
(Culture/Communication/
Geography)

A. People
1. Describe how people affect and change their environments.

C. Environment
1. Distinguish among map symbols (e.g., legend references to land, water, roads, and cities).
2. Name and locate on a globe basic types of climate (e.g., arctic, temperate, and tropical) and describe how they effect the way people live, including their food, shelter, transportation and recreation (e.g., integrate these concepts through the study of biomes).

Third Grade Language Arts

III. INFORMATION AND RESEARCH
Students read widely to acquire knowledge, conduct research, and organize information.

B. Use guide words to locate words in dictionaries and topics in encyclopedias.
C. Use and interpret charts, maps, graphs, schedules, directions, and diagrams.
D. Use the title page, table of contents, glossary, chapter headings, and index to locate information.
E. Use text formats as an aid in constructing meaning from nonfiction (expository) text (e.g., heading, subheading, bold print, and italics).
G. Locate, organize and synthesize information from a variety of print and nonprint and technological resources (e.g., dictionaries, reference books, atlases, magazines, informational text, thesaurus, and technology/Internet).
H. Compile information into written reports or summaries.

V. WRITING

The student will:

A. Use a writing process to develop and refine composition skills.

VII. LISTENING/SPEAKING

D. Participate in storytelling, give oral book reports, and present poems, stories, plays, and pantomime.

VIII. VISUAL LITERACY/LITERARY RESPONSE

The student will:

B. Use electronic media to access information from various sources including dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, atlas, and Internet.
G. Interpret information from diagrams, charts, and graphs.

NPS Technology
Scope & Sequence Objectives
(Numbers correlate to the Scope and Sequence matrix)

61, 69, 70, 73, 74, 90, 94

1. The classroom teacher should provide study aids/handouts (KWL chart, graphic organizers, checklists, maps, wordfinds (abbreviations and capitals). These activities should be designed so that a student must use more than one resource (almanac, encyclopedia, web site, atlas, etc.) to find the information.
   
   
2. The media specialist instructs students on how to use more than one resource to research state data, and appropriate/ efficient research skills (when should you use a book, encyclopedia, atlas, or almanac, and when should you use the Internet).
   
   
3. Divide the class so that half work in media the center with encyclopedia, almanac, atlas, and Search Plus. The other half of the class then works with the classroom teacher in the computer lab to find online resources. (If no lab is available then teacher will need to set up a rotating schedule to make use of a classroom computer.)
   
   
4. Demonstrate:
   
   A. Encyclopedia, atlas, almanac
   B. Search Plus or other library software (Demonstrate Tool Bar, Subject Search, Title Search)
   C. Online encyclopedia/ Worldbook Online (Start>Common Programs>Internet Explorer or Navigator). http://www.worldbookonline.com . Enter state name in search box. Double click on state name, then bookmark the web page.
   
   (Netscape: Bookmark button>Add bookmark)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   (Internet Explorer: Favorites>Add to Favorites)
   
   
   
   D. Web sites http://www.50states.com and http://www.EnchantedLearning.com (go to Enchanted Learning>ZoomSchool>Geography:United States of America>Map>name of the state)
   
   
5. Instruct students to use their study aids/handouts to take notes about their state. Explain that many times you can enlarge a web graphic by clicking on the picture one time.
   
   
   
6. Then demonstrate how to print a web page so that students can print state flags, etc. to go on their poster.
   
   
   
7. Have students open a word processing program (Microsoft Works or Word) and use their notes to type their state report. Demonstrate how to use the spell check function. (Tools>Spelling)
   
   
8. Have students create a poster (using their notes and study aids) depicting state symbols, a map with landforms, cities, and resources labeled, and interesting places, facts, and important people related to their state.
   
   
9. Have each child prepare a short oral report (using 3 x 5 notecards) and present their poster to their classmates or other audience.

Extensions

• Students may use the Microsoft Publisher 98 Wizard to create a flyer or advertisement about their state.
• Students may use the Microsoft Publisher 98 Wizard to create a postcard from their state.