Dear Third Grade Families,
Grade 3: Physical Characteristics of Place
Our Focus
During the third nine weeks, third graders will understand that the physical environment is varied in terms of climate, landforms, natural resources, and natural hazards. They will also understand that the physical environment directly affects where and how people live, and that people can directly affect the environment.
Instructional Approach
First, students will complete activities to understand the concepts of location, distance, and direction on maps and globes. They will create and interpret maps of places that contain a variety of map elements.
Students will study the variations in the physical environment of different geographic locations. They will compare how people in different communities adapt to or modify the physical environment in which they live. Students will describe the effects of physical and human processes in shaping the landscape, including the effects of hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, building new homes, conservation, and pollution.
Finally, students will complete an eyewitness report to share how a natural disaster affects the members of a community.
Family Support
You can help your child in several ways.
Grade 3 Economics
Our Focus
During the third and fourth nine weeks, third graders will understand that people have choices in how they earn, spend, and save their money. People are motivated to pay for goods or services based on various factors such as quality, cost, convenience, and popularity. They will learn that profit is a measure of success and production cost should be less than the sales price. Students will see that there is a relationship between the market price of a product and its supply and demand in a free enterprise system.
Instructional Approach
Students will name ways they can earn, spend, save, and donate money. They will create a simple budget. Students will explain the impact scarcity has on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Next, students will complete activities to understand how businesses operate in the U.S. free enterprise system. They will identify individuals, past and present, who have started new businesses. These individuals include Henry Ford, Mary Kay Ash, Wallace Amos, Milton Hershey, and Sam Walton.
To show their understanding of the free market system, students will write a business proposal to present to potential investors.
Family Support
You can help your child in several ways.
Sincerely,
Donna Mullins