Third Grade

Social Studies Practices

Indigenous Peoples Through European Exploration (Prior to 1585): Students will describe the legacy and cultures of major indigenous settlements of North America and Tennessee, the routes of early explorers, and the impact of exploration on the Americas.

Early North American Settlements (1585-1600s): Students will describe early North American settlements, and examine the founding of the Thirteen Colonies, their regional geographic features, and the conflicts and cooperation that existed between American Indians and colonists.

The War for Independence (1700-1780s): Students will explain the causes, course, and key figures of the American Revolution.

Creating a New Government (1781-1789): Students will describe the people involved in writing, events leading up to, and the ideas embedded within the Constitution.

Gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including:

Critically examine a primary or secondary source in order to:

Organize data from a variety of sources in order to:

Communicate ideas supported by evidence to:

Develop historical awareness by:

Develop geographic awareness by:

Compare and contrast the geographic regions of North American Indians, and examine the environments’ influence on their customs (e.g. housing and clothing).

Understand examples of cooperation and conflict between North American Indian nations over control of land.

Identify and locate on a map the countries involved in 16th and 17th century North American exploration, including:

Identify the routes and contributions of early explorers of the Americas, including Jacques Cartier, Christopher Columbus, Hernando de Soto, and Amerigo Vespucci.

Examine how American Indians were impacted as result of contact with European explorers, including:

Explain the significance of the settlement of Jamestown, and the role it played in the founding of the United States.

Explain the significance of the settlements of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, and the role they played in the founding of the United States.

Examine how the regional (i.e., New England, Middle, and Southern) geographic features of the Thirteen English Colonies influenced their economic and cultural development.

Identify the economic, political, and religious reasons for founding the Thirteen English Colonies.

Identify the sources of unpaid labor (i.e., indentured servitude and enslaved persons) in the Thirteen English Colonies, and how they affected the development of regional economies. (T.C.A. § 49-6-1028)

Identify examples of democratic practices in the Thirteen English Colonies (e.g., representative assemblies and town meetings).

Explain interactions that existed between colonists and American Indians during the 1600s and 1700s, including fur trade, military alliances, treaties, and cultural exchanges.

Analyze the impact of conflicts between colonists and American Indian nations brought on by the intrusions of colonization.

Describe the influence of Benjamin Franklin and his attempts to unify the colonies, including the “Join or Die” political cartoon.

Identify the causes and consequences of the French and Indian War, and recognize Fort Loudoun’s role in it.

Explain how political and economic ideas and interests brought about the American Revolution, including:

Explain the different forms of protest colonists used to promote change in British policies (e.g., the Boston Tea Party, tarring and feathering, letter writing, and boycotts).

Explain the historical and present-day significance of the Declaration of Independence, including the roles of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock. (T.C.A. § 49-6-1028)

Determine the importance of the following groups to the American Revolution:

Explore major events and battles of the American Revolution (e.g., Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Battles of Lexington and Concord, Battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill, Battle of Saratoga, Valley Forge, Battle of Yorktown).

Evaluate the contributions made by women during the American Revolution, including:

Identify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including no power to tax and a weak central government.

Identify the roles of James Madison and George Washington during the Constitutional Convention, and describe the major issues debated, including (T.C.A. § 49-6-1028):

Describe the conflict between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over ratification of the Constitution, including the need for a Bill of Rights. (T.C.A. § 49-6-1028)

Describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including (T.C.A. § 49-6-1028):

Examine the legacy and significance of the presidency of George Washington, including: the creation of cabinet member positions, two-party split, and the push for a strong central government.

Describe the impact of the Louisiana Purchase, including the significance of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson, and Sacagawea, and map the exploration of the Louisiana Territory,

Identify effects and key people of the War of 1812, including Tennessee Volunteers and the role of Andrew Jackson.

Explain the impact of Andrew Jackson’s presidency, including the Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears.

Describe the experiences of settlers on the overland trails to the West (e.g., California Trail, Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail), including the purpose of the journeys and influence of geography.

Examine the impact of President James K. Polk’s view of Manifest Destiny on westward expansion.

Explain the significance of the California Gold Rush on westward expansion.

Analyze the impact of the American Industrial Revolution, including the significance of:

Printed

Graphic representations

Artifacts

Media and technology sources

Oral History

Summarize significant ideas and relevant information

Distinguish between fact and opinion

Draw inferences and conclusions

Recognize author’s purpose and point of view, and reliability

Compare and contrast multiple sources

Recognize differences between multiple accounts

Frame appropriate questions for further investigation

Demonstrate and defend an understanding of ideas

Compare and contrast viewpoints

Illustrate cause and effect

Predict likely outcomes

Devise new outcomes or solutions

Develop strategies for appropriate civic discourse

Recognizing how and why historical accounts change over time

Recognizing how past events and issues might have been experienced by the people of that time with historical context

Identifying patters of continuity and change over time, making connections to the present

Determining relationships among people, resources, and ideas based on geographic location

Determining the use of diverse types of maps and their features based on the purpose

Analyzing the spatial relationships between people, circumstances, and resources

Analyzing interaction between humans and the physical environment

Examining how geographic regions and perceptions of the regions change over time.

France

Great Britain

Italy

Portugal

Spain

Decreased population

Spread of disease (i.e., smallpox)

Increased conflict

Loss of territory

Influence of trade

Resistance to imperial policy (e.g., Proclamation of 1763)

The Stamp Act, 1765

The Townshend Acts, 1767

Tea Act, 1773

“taxation without representation”

Intolerable/Coercive Acts, 1774

The role of Patrick Henry

Loyalists (i.e., Tories)

Minutemen

Patriots

Redcoats

Sons of Liberty

Abigail Adams

Mary Ludwig Hays (i.e., Molly Pitcher)

Betsy Ross

Deborah Sampson

Phillis Wheatley

Distribution of power between the states and federal government

Great Compromise

Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise

Purposes of government (listed in the Preamble)

Separation of powers

Branches of government

Checks and balances

Recognition and protection of individual rights (in the 1st Amendment)

Cotton gin

Railroads

Steamboats

Telegraphs