In part 1 of Third Grade Social Studies Curriculum, I provided a general outline for a third grade history curriculum as well as suggested reading and website resources. Here continues part 2 of Third grade social studies curriculum:
Sources of food and clothing: These lessons can also be learned on field trips, and through picture books and websites.
Shelters of animals and people: Look at sites like lessonplanet.com and animal habitat websites to learn about these kids of shelters.
History and development of transportation: There are numerous books and websites you can use to teach your third grader about transportation. Consider purchasing the Big Book of Transportation as well as the eric.ed.gov website.
History and development of communication: Similarly, to lessons on transportation, there are government education websites you can use to learn about the history of communication. A book you can use is The History of Communication.
Citizenship and social responsibility: Teach about how immigrants become citizens. and about exceptional American Citizens
Basic human needs and wants: This is something that can be taught in simple conversations or through a fun book.
Local geography and topography: Purchase a local atlas and spend some time exploring the city and even the state on a short family vacation.
Geography and regions: Google “3rd grade geography lessons” and you will find dozens of results that will help you study this subject.
The continents: Use a globe and a book like The Seven Continents to teach these lessons to your child.
Flat maps and globes: Use the globe, downloaded flat maps and books like The World is Flat: Not! to make this lesson fun.
As you can see, I suggested many books to help you teach history to your child. The reason for this is I feel a literature approach to history will help you kill two birds with one stone! You child will get all the reading practice they need and learn history at the same time. In addition to the books and websites, I suggested, you can look up several of the above-mentioned topics in my favorite history resource book, which is The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia.
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