OVERVIEWÂ
In the third grade, the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework focuses on a student's place in the world by exploring their own community, the history and geography of Massachusetts, and the state's role in the formation of the United States. The curriculum is built around the same four main topics as first grade: Civics, Geography, History, and Economics.
Students in Grade 3 are building on the skills from previous years, developing more advanced social science practices such as gathering information from multiple primary and secondary sources, comparing different historical perspectives, and using evidence to support their claims. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the past and its impact on the present.
The core themes for third grade include:
Civics: Students learn about local government, the purpose of rules and laws, and how citizens can participate in their communities. They begin to understand the concept of taxes and how they support public services.
Geography: They use maps and globes to locate and identify a variety of physical and political features, from their local town to the broader New England region and North America. They also learn how geography has influenced historical events and settlement patterns.
History: The curriculum takes students on a journey through Massachusetts history, from the life of Native Peoples before European contact to the American Revolution. They explore the interactions between different groups of people and how these relationships shaped the state.
Economics: Students are introduced to economic concepts like goods and services, local businesses, and the role of taxes in a community's economy.
This framework encourages an interdisciplinary approach, linking social studies concepts to reading, writing, and communication skills to create a rich and robust learning experience.
Unit 1: Massachusetts Cities and Towns Now and Then
This unit explores the geography, history, and civics of a student's own Massachusetts city or town.
Learning Target
I can read a map to find my city or town and its important places and landmarks.
I can research who founded my town and who lives here now, and talk to people about what it was like to live here in the past.
I can explain why we have governments in our school and city, and how I can help in my community.
I can explain what taxes are and why we pay them.
Essential Questions
Why are maps and globes important?
What are the important features on a New England map?
Questions to Ask at Home
Show me our town on a map of Massachusetts. What are some important places you found?
Who were the first people to live in our town? How is our town different today than it was a long time ago?
Why is it important to have rules in our school and community? What's one way you can help make our community better?
A is for America by Tanya Lee Stone (A picture book that helps kids understand American history.)
Unit 2: The Geography and Native Peoples of Massachusetts
This unit explores the physical geography of the New England region and the life of Native Peoples in Massachusetts before European contact.
Learning Target
I can use a map to find the Northeast region of North America and identify its important physical features like rivers and mountains.
I can use a map to find the six New England states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
I can describe how Native Peoples lived in Massachusetts before Europeans arrived by exploring their homes, food, and daily life.
Essential Questions
What can we learn about the Native Peoples of Massachusetts by exploring our state's land, water, and maps?
Questions to Ask at Home
Can you show me where New England is on a map of the United States? What are some big rivers or mountains in our area?
What do you know about how the Wampanoag people lived before the Pilgrims came?
What kinds of foods did Native Peoples of Massachusetts eat and what kinds of houses did they live in?
Keepunumuk – Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten (A story about the first Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective.)
The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story by Joseph Bruchac (This book explores a Native American legend and can be used to compare cultures.)
If You Lived with the Iroquois by Ellen Levine (A detailed look at the daily life of Iroquois children.)
Unit 3: Native Peoples' Contacts with European Explorers
This unit explores the initial interactions between Native Peoples in the Northeast and European explorers.
Learning Target
I can find North America, Europe, and the Atlantic Ocean on a map and explain how Europeans first met Native Peoples.
Essential Questions
Who are the Wampanoag, Pilgrims, and Puritans and how were they different from one another?
Why do some people choose to move to another country?
Questions to Ask at Home
Why did Europeans sail to North America a long time ago?
The Mayflower and the Pilgrims' New World by Nathaniel Philbrick (A comprehensive account of the Pilgrim journey.)
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message By Chief Jake Swamp (Mohawk) ( Part of a collection on Pilgrims from Epic, this book provides a different perspective.)
Unit 4: The Pilgrims, The Mass Bay Colony, and Natives
This unit explores the Pilgrims' journey to the Plymouth Colony, the challenges they faced, and their relationship with Native communities.
Learning Target
I can explain why the Pilgrims left Europe and describe their journey to the Plymouth Colony.
I can describe the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag and Abenaki/Wabanaki people.
Essential Questions
How did the choices and relationships of the Pilgrims and Native Peoples shape the early years of the Plymouth Colony?
Questions to Ask at Home
What were some of the challenges the Pilgrims faced when they first arrived in Massachusetts?
Who were Samoset and Massasoit and how did they help the Pilgrims?
Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac (A story about a key figure in the Pilgrims' survival.)
M is for Mayflower: A Massachusetts (This book is part of the Wampanoag and Pilgrims collection from Epic.)
Giles and Metacom: A Story of Plimoth (Also part of the Epic collection on Wampanoag and Pilgrims.)
Unit 5: The Puritans, The Mass Bay Colony, and Natives
This unit explores how the interactions between Native Peoples, Europeans, and Africans shaped the development of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Learning Target
I can compare the leaders of the Pilgrims and the Puritans.
I can use a historical map to show how Massachusetts grew in the past and explain why towns and cities grew.
I can describe how different groups of people—Native Peoples, Europeans, and Africans—lived and worked together in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Essential Questions
How did the decisions and beliefs of the Puritans, Native Peoples, and other groups shape the lives of everyone in the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
Questions to Ask at Home
What were some of the main differences between the Pilgrims and the Puritans?
Why were seaport cities like Boston so important?
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (A classic chapter book about a boy in Boston during the American Revolution.)
The Boston Tea Party by Russell Freedman (A book that explains the events leading up to and including the famous protest.)
Unit 6: Massachusetts Before, During and After the American Revolution
This unit explores the events and ideas that led to the American Revolution and Massachusetts' important role in the fight for independence.
Learning Target
I can explain why the colonists were unhappy with King George III and why they started the American Revolution.
I can identify important people and events in Massachusetts during the Revolution, like Paul Revere and the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Essential Questions
How did people and events in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War help create our nation?
How do people react when being treated unfairly by their government?
What is democracy?
Questions to Ask at Home
What were some of the reasons the colonists in Massachusetts decided to fight for their freedom from England?
Can you tell me about the roles of people like John Adams or Abigail Adams during the American Revolution?
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (A classic chapter book about a boy in Boston during the American Revolution.)
The Boston Tea Party by Russell Freedman (A book that explains the events leading up to and including the famous protest.)
Unit 7: Woburn
This unit explores the history and civics of Woburn, from its founding to its local government and community.
Learning Target
I can find important places in my community on a map of Woburn.
I can identify historic buildings or monuments in Woburn and explain why they are important.
I can tell when Woburn was founded and describe the different groups of people who have lived here over time.
I can use old objects to learn about how people lived in Woburn long ago.
I can explain what a tax is and give examples of things taxes pay for in our town, like schools and parks.
I can describe how our local government works and how people can help our community.
I can give examples of goods and services that are made or sold by local businesses in Woburn.
Essential Questions
How have historical people and events shaped Woburn?
Why do we need rules and laws in our community?
Questions to Ask at Home
What are some of the historical buildings or landmarks you have seen in Woburn?
What is an example of a good or service that is made in our town?
Why do we have rules and laws in our community? What are some examples of what taxes pay for?
Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell (A story about how a community worked together to improve their neighborhood, which connects to the civics and community involvement topics in this unit.)
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams (This story can be used to discuss how a family saves money for a specific goal, which can lead to a conversation about economics and goods and services.)
What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack (A book about a family with very little who finds a way to contribute to their community, perfect for discussing how everyone can participate.)