3rd Grade

Key Themes

Physical and Human Systems

Students in grade 3 use the features of maps and globes to identify locations and characteristics of a place, such as the physical features and regional characteristics. They also explain that the regions of Louisiana developed based on how climate, location, and natural resources both influenced where people settled and how they used the land and adapted to the environment. Lastly, students describe how coastal erosion/loss of wetlands, river changes, and flooding can result from human factors and invasive species.

Migration and Settlement

Students in grade 3 recognize that many factors influence the movement and settlement of people, such as physical features, climate, and gaining land or seeking opportunities through exploration. They also explain how migration and settlement of Native Americans, French, Acadians/Cajuns, and Spanish helped to create Louisiana’s culture.

Economics and Trade

Students in grade 3 define basic economic terminology and explain how people work to earn and save income and contribute to a larger economy. They also understand and describe the relationships among economic factors and how those impact and are impacted by consumer decisions (i.e., the relationships among scarcity and choice, surplus and shortage, supply and demand, and opportunity cost and their impact on the selling price of goods and services, how competition is gained through comparative shopping, and the concepts of economic specialization and interdependence). Lastly, students recognize that Louisiana is part of a bigger economy and differentiate between imports and exports in Louisiana

Politics and Governance

Students in grade 3 describe the structures of state and local government (i.e., powers and responsibilities) and compare how officials are elected at the state and national levels. They also recognize the purpose and role of state and local governments in meeting the needs of society (i.e., to make laws, provide protection, build roads and bridges, and use taxes to pay for public services)

Society and Culture

Students in grade 3 explain how historic and cultural elements are represented in different ways through symbols, landmarks, food, language, traditions, and festivals/celebrations. They also describe the impact of different groups on Louisiana’s culture (i.e., Creoles, Cajuns, Native Americans, French, and Spanish) and how technology helped to spread Louisiana’s culture.

Conflict and Compromise

Students in grade 3 describe the qualities of a good leader and citizen. They explain the relationship among rules and laws of a community and rights and responsibilities of citizens to demonstrate their understanding of the role an individual plays in a larger community and what happens when citizens do not uphold their rights and responsibilities. They also explain how citizens can help their urban, suburban, or rural communities by solving a local issue.

Continuity and Change

Students in grade 3 demonstrate with timelines and using sequencing vocabulary how change can be shown over time. They also describe the impacts of technological innovations on family life and the regions and culture of Louisiana. Lastly, students summarize how Louisiana developed over time from Native American civilizations through exploration, colonization, and the Louisiana Purchase to statehood.

Grade Level Standards

History

Standard 1 – Chronological and Historical Thinking

Students use chronological and historical thinking skills to understand the difference between life in Louisiana past and present.

3.1.1 Create timelines that identify important events in the history of Louisiana
3.1.2 Explain how technology has changed family and community life in Louisiana over time
3.1.3 Use distinctive vocabulary to sequence events related to Louisiana history
3.1.4 Compare and contrast state and national historical symbols
3.1.5 Categorize landmarks as state and national
3.1.6 Compare and contrast the influence of cultural groups in Louisiana
3.1.7 Identify community and regional historical artifacts, including primary sources, to answer historical questions

Standard 2 – Key Events, Ideas, and People

Students analyze how historical people and events have contributed to the diversity of Louisiana.

3.2.1 Explain how major explorers and leaders contributed to the early development of Louisiana
3.2.2 Differentiate between early Native American cultures that lived in the regions of Louisiana
3.2.3 Identify the causes and effects of migration on Louisiana
3.2.4 Identify cultural elements that have contributed to the state’s heritage

Geography

Standard 3: Maps and Globes

Students locate and interpret major geographic features of Louisiana.

3.3.1 Describe characteristics and uses of various types of maps
3.3.2 Identify the hemispheres in which Louisiana is located
3.3.3 Locate various communities and cities in Louisiana using cardinal and intermediate directions
3.3.4 Locate and label major geographic features of Louisiana on a map
3.3.5 Differentiate between a town, parish, state, and country in which the student lives using a political map
3.3.6 Construct an outline map of Louisiana from memory
3.3.7 Locate specific places on a map using a simple grid system

Standard 4: People, Land, and Environment

Students examine how the people and the physical geography of Louisiana have directly influenced each other.

3.4.1 Compare and contrast the physical features of various regions of Louisiana
3.4.2 Explain historical patterns of settlement in Louisiana using maps
3.4.3 Describe how people have changed the land to meet their basic needs over time in Louisiana
3.4.4 Explain how humans have adapted to the physical environment in different regions of Louisiana
3.4.5 Describe how humans affect the environment in Louisiana
3.4.6 Distinguish between urban, suburban, and rural communities in Louisiana
3.4.7 Describe the importance of natural resources in Louisiana using maps

Civics

Standard 5: Government and Political Systems

Students analyze the structures and function of local and state government.

3.5.1 Explain the difference between rules and laws
3.5.2 Explain who is responsible for enforcing state and local laws
3.5.3 Investigate the major responsibilities of the three branches of local and state government
3.5.4 Explain how local and state governments meet the basic needs of society
3.5.5 Discuss the powers of local and state officials
3.5.6 Compare how government officials at the state and national levels are elected

Standard 6: Citizenship

Students investigate their role as a citizen of Louisiana.

3.6.1 Explain the rights and responsibilities of individuals in making a community and state a better place to live
3.6.2 Describe the qualities of a good leader and citizen
3.6.3 Describe how a citizen can help solve a local issue

Economics

Standard 7: Personal Finance

Students develop an understanding of earning income, saving, and spending money in order to acquire economic decision-making skills.

3.7.1 Identify various ways that people earn income and how earning income contributes to the economic well-being of their community and state
3.7.2 List different ways people save their income and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each
3.7.3 Explain the benefits of comparative shopping when making economic decisions

Standard 8: Wants/Scarcity and Producers/Consumers

Students make connections between the U.S. economic system and how it affects their daily lives.

3.8.1 Investigate the economic concepts of opportunity cost, scarcity, and surplus/shortage and give examples of each based on needs and wants
3.8.2 Investigate ways in which people are producers and consumers and explain why they depend on one another
3.8.3 Describe the basic concepts of supply and demand and explain how competition affects the prices of goods and services
3.8.4 Explain how producers and consumers affect prices

Standard 9: Careers

Students develop an understanding of key economic concepts and the role of certain types of occupations in the economy.

3.9.1 Explain the concepts of specialization and interdependence in the production of goods and services
3.9.2 Investigate the responsibilities and characteristics of various jobs

Standard 10: Exchange and Trade

Students explain how people engage in trade and the economic benefits of trade.

3.10.1 Differentiate between imports and exports of goods in Louisiana
3.10.2 Distinguish between the use of money and barter