Grade 3 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 3 social studies in the Prince Edward Island Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Citizenship, Power, and Governance. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the origins, functions, and sources of power, authority, and governance.
- Culture and Diversity. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of culture, diversity, and world view, recognizing the similarities and differences reflected in various personal, cultural, racial, and ethnic perspectives.
- Individuals, Societies, and Economic Decisions. Students will expected to demonstrate the ability to make responsible economic decisions as individuals and as members of society.
- Interdependence. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interdependent relationship among individuals, societies, and the environment — locally, nationally, and globally — and the implications for a sustainable future.
- People, Place, and Environment. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interactions among people, places, and the environment.
- Time, Continuity, and Change. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the past and how it affects the present and the future.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Look at a map of your community and find places you visit.
- Ask an older relative or neighbour what the area was like when they were young.
- Read stories from many communities, including Indigenous authors, and talk about what is the same and different.
- Talk about how rules and jobs help a community work.
What each unit covers
Maps of Our World
Practises the equator and the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the continents and oceans, and reading maps, aerial photographs and satellite images with a title, legend, compass rose and the four cardinal directions.
Maps & Globes
Naming continents and oceans, using north, south, east and west on a simple town map, and reading map features such as a legend (key), compass rose and scale.
Our Island Home
Children place their province in the Atlantic region, Canada, North America and the world, and learn about its landforms, climate and plants. This is practice, not a report-card mark.
Communities Around the World
Practises daily life in communities around the world: homes, food, work and technology that suit the land and weather, cultural expression, respectful language about differences and how media can show only part of a place.
How We Make a Living
Children look at where people live in their province and how they make a living. This is practice, not a report-card mark.
Our Many Peoples
Children learn about the diverse peoples in their province and how they express their culture, and how to promote positive interactions. This is practice, not a report-card mark.
Cultures of the World
What culture means, how cultures differ (language, food, celebrations) and what people everywhere share, plus the rights and responsibilities of global citizens.
Helping & Connecting Communities
Practises valuing what individuals contribute to their communities, our connections to people elsewhere in the world, and the idea of respectful protocols in Indigenous cultures, which differ from community to community.
Working Together Fairly
Practises group skills: sharing ideas, decisions and responsibilities, being fair and respectful, considering other people's views, listening actively and choosing ways to present information.
Groups, Leaders & Getting Along
Practises formal and informal leadership, fair group decisions, peaceful ways of solving conflicts and what to do about bullying, including respect for the teachings of Elders and community members.
Who Runs Our Province
Children examine the purpose, function and structure of government in their province. This is practice, not a report-card mark.
Canadian Citizens
Practises what it means to be a citizen of Canada: examples of rights and responsibilities, the national anthem in English and French (and sometimes a local Indigenous language), and Remembrance Day as a time to think about peace and war.
Citizens Take Part
Children explore the rights and responsibilities of citizens and how citizens take part in public decision making. This is practice, not a report-card mark.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the PEI report card guide.
Common questions
Look at a map of your community and find places you visit. Ask an older relative or neighbour what the area was like when they were young. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Prince Edward Island Curriculum Grade 3 social studies units include maps of our world, maps & globes, our island home, communities around the world, how we make a living, our many peoples.
Free printable Grade 3 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.