Unit Planning Organizer

Subject __Social Studies______________________ Grade____3____________

Unit/Topic _How Communities Work

_______________

Date and Unit Duration__November- December

Rationale
A lot of the learning in this unit will be done through inquiry. Students will spend a lot of
time researching the countries form of government and finding answers to how the countries
governments are formed and how they keep peace. This will allow students to come to their own
conclusions about different nations, and may allow students to utilize their own experience in
cooperating to gain a greater understanding.
A period of time in the last week of December has been allotted for celebrations in other
communities and a potluck. This week serves as extra time where the outlined activities could
take place if required. As this is the last week of school before Christmas, this time will also
serve for any school celebrations and acknowledges that students will likely be distracted. In this
time students excitement could be directed to learning about how other cultures celebrate
Christmas.
1. Unit Overview Critical Inquiry Question
What is the best model of government?
2. General Learning Outcomes for Unit
3.1 Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how geographic, social,
cultural, and linguistic factors affect quality of life in communities in India, Tunisia, Ukraine and
Peru.
3. Focusing Questions for Unit (Related Questions)
-

How are leaders in a community chosen?

Who makes decisions?
How is peace kept?
How do people get along?
How is each culture different?

4. Key Concepts for Unit

- peace
5. Specific Learning Outcomes for Unit
Knowledge:
3.1.2 Examine the social, cultural and linguistic characteristics that affect quality of life in
communities in other parts of the world by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions
1

for inquiry:
-

How are the various leaders chosen in the communities (e.g., within families, within
schools, within communities, within government)?
How are decisions made in the communities? Who is responsible for making the
decisions?
How do the individuals and groups in the communities maintain peace?
How do the individuals and groups in the communities cooperate and share with other
group members?
How is cultural diversity expressed within each community?

Attitude:
3.1.1 Appreciate similarities and differences among people and communities:
-

Demonstrate an awareness of and interest in the beliefs, traditions and customs of groups
and communities other than their own.

Skill:
3.S.8 Demonstrate skills of oral, written and visual literacy:
-

Organize and present information, such as written and oral reports, taking particular
audiences and purposes into consideration
Listen to others in order to understand their points of view
Interact with others in a socially appropriate manner
Create visual images for particular audiences and purposes
Use technology to support and present conclusions

6. Culminating Task Description

Students will choose a country from Ukraine, India, Tunisia, and Peru and will conduct research
on their forms of government. They will form a written report answering the focusing questions.
If students wish they can give an oral report as well. To begin they will be provided with
information sheets, videos, and internet websites. The rubric with which they will be graded will
be presented to them before them begin their research.
7. Possible Learning Activities
1.
2.
3.
4.

Emperors New Groove

Mind Maps
News Story Analysis
Venn Diagram

8. Assessments
-

Government Research Activity

2

Unit Test
Anecdotal notes
Observations
Rubrics

9. Resources
-

Many Voices

Emperors New Groove

Content
Remember

Understand

3.1.1 Appreciate similarities and

differences among people and
communities:
- Awareness of and interest in the
beliefs, traditions and customs of
groups and communities other
than their own.

Level of Cognitive Demand

Apply
Analyze
Demonstrate
(Research Activity)

3.1.2 Examine the social, cultural and

linguistic characteristics that affect
quality of life in communities in other
parts of the world by exploring and
reflecting upon the following questions
for inquiry:

How are the various leaders

chosen in the communities
(e.g., within families, within
schools, within communities,
within government)?
How are decisions made in
the communities? Who is
responsible for making the
decisions?
How do the individuals and
groups in the communities
maintain peace?
How do the individuals and
groups in the communities
cooperate and share with
other group members?
How is cultural diversity
expressed within each
community?

3.S.8 Demonstrate skills of oral, written

and visual literacy:
- Organize and present

(Research
Presentation)

(Emperors
New Groove
activity)

Demonstrate
(Research Pres.)

information, such as written and

oral reports, taking particular
audiences and purposes into
consideration
Listen to others in order to
understand their points of view
Interact with others in a socially
appropriate manner
Create visual images for
particular audiences and
purposes
Use technology to support and
present conclusions

Use (Research
Pres)

November
Mon

Tue
1

Social

Wed

Thu

Fri

Science

PD Day

PD Day

Science

10

Social

11

Remembr
ance Day

18

Social

Intro
Presenting
Activity

7
Science

14
Science

15

Social
Work on
Presentati
on

Work on
Presentati
on

16

Science

17

Social

Social
Review

Unit Test

Presentati
on

21 Science

22

Social

23

Science

How are
leaders
chosen?

28 Science

29

Social

24

Social
Who
makes
decisions?

30

25

Day in
Lieu

Science

How is
peace
kept?

December
Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu
1

Social

Fri
2

Teachers
Institute

Science

16

Social

Introduce
Research
Activity

5
Science

12

13

Social

Research

Social

Research

14

15

Research

19

20

Social
Celebratio
ns in other
communiti
es

Social

Social
Research

21

22

Social

Pres. Due

23

Science

Potluck