GRADES 3-4

Overview

Students in Grades 3 and 4 are naturally curious and eager to learn. They express interest in the unfamiliar and are developmentally ready by Grade 3 to study geographic skills and concepts. They also begin to develop an understanding of how the environment affects its inhabitants and how people change the land. In the fourth grade, students enjoy hearing stories of Alabama’s past and are ready to be introduced to their first formal chronological study of history. They expand their understanding of historical concepts, individual expressions, societal values, and cultural traditions as they develop an appreciation for the people, places, and events that shaped the history of Alabama.

The four strands of economics, geography, history, and political science are woven throughout the third- and fourth-grade curricula, which include an increased emphasis on geographic studies and Alabama history. Through a variety of learning experiences, including the use of technology for exploration and investigation, students gain an increasing depth of understanding of content in all strands. Students also gain an understanding of their relationship to other people and cultures locally, nationally, and globally.

Through the study of geography and Alabama history, students in Grades 3 and 4 begin to develop a better understanding of where they live. Students explore and ask questions about other cultures and other environments. They relate their personal experiences to the study of other periods in Alabama history. Through the expansion of knowledge of historical concepts, students gain an understanding of their relationship to society and begin to develop a sense of fairness and a respect for their rights and responsibilities. As students become active participants in their schools and communities, they begin viewing themselves as future leaders with civic responsibilities. Students compare their own economic experiences with those of others to aid in understanding local, national, and international concepts. They explore global connections and become aware of interactions among states and nations. Students in these grades are preparing to become competent, responsible citizens who lead productive and independent lives.

Cherokee County Schools: The content standards, bullets and examples contained within this local version of the Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies are minimum content and are required for instruction. The activities and resources listed in this document are not all-inclusive, but are a representation from which one can pick, choose and blend with activities and resources already employed within the third and fourth grade settings. Resources are from state/county adopted textbooks and relevant websites. Content standards are listed; bullet information from the state course of study is labeled A, B, C, etc.