Social Studies - 3rd Grade Lesson Plans

Social studies -3rd Grade Lesson Plans

Time4Learning is an online student-paced learning system covering preschool through middle school. It is popular as a third grade homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment, for remediation, and for summer study.

The lesson plans below provide a detailed list of the third grade social studies curriculum, with brief activity descriptions and learning activity (LA) numbers. Additional resources related to third grade social studies are also provided, below.

Students enrolled in third grade social studies will have access to second grade social studies lessons as part of their membership. Fourth grade social studies is also available upon request, so they can move ahead or review at their own pace.

If you are just learning about Time4Learning, we'd suggest first looking at our interactive lesson demos. Members often use this page as a resource for more detailed planning, to choose specific activities using the activity finder or to compare our curriculum with state standards.

3rd Grade Social Studies Lesson Plans
Total Activities: 170

Non-Scored	Scored	Worksheet	Answer Key	Quiz

Test Chapter 1: "Vikings"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Activities & Personalities: Describe the period known as the Viking Age, including dates, deeds, and exploration of the Atlantic Ocean. Explain the Scandanavian expression, ''to-go a-Viking,'' and name some notorious activities and personality characteristics attributed to the Vikings. Describe the Viking warrior, including his armor, weapons, battle strategies, and tactics.	Raiders from the Sea		3764
	They Came from the North Country		3765
	Lesson Quiz: Activities & Personalities
Shipbuilding: Explain the reasons the Vikings traveled by sea to other lands and the navigation methods used by the Vikings to determine directions and locations. Identify the kind of ship used for battle, and explain what made the ship sail at a fast speed.	Seafarers and Shipbuilders		3766
	Builders and Sailors of the Longboats		3767
	Lesson Quiz: Shipbuilding
Occupations: Describe the role and importance of shipbuilding in the lives of the Vikings. Compare and describe the occupations of the majority of Vikings with the Viking warriors.	Travel, Work and Trade		3768
	The Good Ship Viking		3769
	Lesson Quiz: Occupations
Culture: Describe the culture of the Vikings, including family life, food, clothing, literature, recreation, artistry, and burial customs. Explain the role of religion and the worship of the gods, Thor, and Frey.	A Taste of Viking Life		3770
	How to Live Like a Viking		3771
	Lesson Quiz: Culture
Chapter Test: Vikings:

Test Chapter 2: "Alaskan Inuits"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Geography: Describe the region of the Alaskan Inuits, including land, climate, population, and environment. Estimate the number of years of habitation of the northwest coast or arctic homeland.	Homeland of the 'Real People'		3772
	Land of Ice and Snow		3773
	Lesson Quiz: Geography
Land of the Midnight Sun: Explain why the region of Alaska is often called the ''Land of the Midnight Sun.''	The Land of the Midnight Sun		3774
	Winter Moon, Summer Sun		3775
	Lesson Quiz: Land of the Midnight Sun
Language: Explain why the Inuits were once called Eskimos, and know the various meanings of the word Eskimo. Identify the language of the Inuits and how words were constructed.	Inuit or Eskimo?		3776
	The Words to the Story of the Inuit		3777
	Lesson Quiz: Language
Traditional way of life: Describe the traditional way of life for the Inuits. Include food, clothing, hunting and fishing, travel, recreation, and art.	Living the Inuit Way		3778
	Inuit Traditions		3779
	Lesson Quiz: Traditional way of life
Family & Group Life: Describe the family life and group life of the Inuits. Identify rules of conduct, how disputes were settled, how children were treated, and how future marriage partners were chosen.	One for All and All for One		3780
	Family Life of the Inuit		3781
	Lesson Quiz: Family & Group Life
Shelter: Investigate and describe the various shelters in which the Inuits lived, including tents, sod houses, and snow houses. Identify how these shelters were constructed.	Give Me Shelter		3782
	House and Home, Inuit Style		3783
	Lesson Quiz: Shelter
Religous beliefs: Investigate the religious beliefs of the Inuits.	What the Inuit Believe		3784
	The Spirits of the Inuit		3785
	Lesson Quiz: Religous beliefs
Traditional vs. modern: Compare and contrast the traditional ways of the Inuits with their present ways of life. Include food, clothing, housing, employment, education, and values.	That Was Then, This Is Now		3786
	Inuit Yesterday, Inuit Today		3787
	Lesson Quiz: Traditional vs. modern
Chapter Test: Alaskan Inuits:

Test Chapter 3: "The World in Spatial Terms"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Geographic tools: Use geographic tools, such as maps, globes, and atlases, to gather data about the Earth's surface. Locate and name your community, state, country, and continent. Identify the major oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic. Identify the seven continents: Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Australia. Identify the hemispheres: Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern.	Finding Funville!		33990
	Tools to Build Your Knowledge of Geography		3700
	Tools of the Trade		3701
	Lesson Quiz: Geographic tools
Geographic Terms: Demonstrate the ability to use the following geographic terms: harbor, island, bay, peninsula, gulf, ocean, coast, region, and mountain. Locate and label examples of each on a map, and write definitions of the terms.	Geographic Terms		3704
	Isn't It All Just Land and Water?		3705
	Lesson Quiz: Geographic Terms
Latitude & Longitude: Locate Alaska on a map and globe. Describe Alaska's position relative to the rest of the continental United States. Locate and label the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Strait.	Where Am I?		3706
	North to Alaska		3707
	Lesson Quiz: Latitude & Longitude
Adaptation of Environment: Describe how climate, locations, and physical surroundings affect the ways people live in Alaska.	Why People Live Where They Do		3708
	Who Wants to Live in Alaska?		3709
	Lesson Quiz: Adaptation of Environment
Locate Rocky Mountains: Use a map to locate the Rocky Mountains from New Mexico through Canada to northern Alaska.	Scales Aren't Just on a Fish		3710
	To the End of the Continent		3711
	Lesson Quiz: Locate Rocky Mountains
Locate Scandinavia: Use a world map to locate the region of Europe that was once known as Scandanavia. Identify and label the three countries as they are now known (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden).	So That's Where Reindeer Live		3712
	Scandinavia		3713
	Lesson Quiz: Locate Scandinavia
Chapter Test: The World in Spatial Terms:

Test Chapter 4: "Exploration of the Americas"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Reasons for Exploration: Identify several reasons that Europeans were willing to endure many hardships to explore and settle in new lands. Include the search for wealth, the desire to explore, the search for trade routes, new navigation methods, and religious missionary work.	The World Is Bigger Than You Think		3714
	Lesson Quiz: Reasons for Exploration
Columbus Journeys: Describe Christopher Columbus's first journey to America. Identify the names of his three ships, the land he had mistakenly named India, the name he gave native people, and the day of his landing.	Off to Asia? America?		3716
	Lesson Quiz: Columbus' Journeys
Amerigo Vespucci: Explain whether or not Columbus learned after three additional voyages that he never reached India, but the New World. Identify the Italian trader and explorer who made the first voyage in 1499 to the New World for whom America was named. Identify the Spanish explorer who confirmed Vespucci's conclusion regarding this new land.	If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again		3718
	Lesson Quiz: Amerigo Vespucci
Columbus discoveries: Investigate how the voyages of Columbus reshaped America. Describe how these voyages exchanged plants, animals, and diseases between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Identify some of these plants, animals, and diseases.	The World Was Changed Forever		3720
	Lesson Quiz: Columbus' discoveries
Ponce de Leon: Describe Ponce de Leon's role in the settlement of Florida (including dates). Explain the legend of the ''Fountain of Youth'' (where Ponce de Leon learned of the legend, and whether Ponce de Leon found the Fountain of Youth). Identify who killed Ponce de Leon (and how).	Searching for the Fountain of Youth		3722
	Lesson Quiz: Ponce de Leon
Hernando De Soto: Describe the 1539 Spanish expedition led by Hernando de Soto to Florida. Include the battle with the Cherokee Indians and how de Soto was associated with the Mississippi River. Identify how de Soto died and where he was buried.	Exploring up from Florida		3724
	Lesson Quiz: Hernando De Soto
St. Augustine: Describe the founding of St. Augustine in 1565 and its heritage as the oldest city in the United States.	America's Oldest City		3726
	Lesson Quiz: St. Augustine
Northwest Passage: Describe the searches made by John Cabot and Henry Hudson for the Northwest Passage. Identify and locate the regions they found and the dates of their discoveries. Describe the hardships they encountered and the contributions they made to their countries.	Happening up North?		3728
	Lesson Quiz: Northwest Passage
French Explorers: Investigate the role Samuel de Champlain played in the region of New France. Identify, locate, and label the region Champlain discovered (Quebec). Identify, locate, and label the lakes Champlain explored and mapped (the western end of the St. Lawrence River, in northern New York).	A Permanent French Settlement		3730
	Lesson Quiz: French Explorers
Exploration of Southwest: Identify the early Spanish explorers in the lands that are now the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Describe the contributions each of the explorers made.	Early Spanish Explorers		3732
	Lesson Quiz: Exploration of Southwest
Spanish Missions: Identify various U.S. missionary settlements (especially those in Texas and California). Explain why the Spanish government sent missionaries to the southwestern part of what is now the United States. Explain who Padre Junipero Serra was. Describe life in a mission. Include what services missions provided for Native Americans, and what leaders of missions expected in return from Native Americans.	Missions		3734
	Lesson Quiz: Spanish Missions
Seven Cities of Cibola: Explain why Francisco Vásquez de Coronado organized an expedition to the Southwest in 1540. Describe the legend of the ''Seven Cities of Cibola.'' Locate and label the areas: Grand Canyon and the Rio Grande.	Seven Cities of Gold		3736
	Lesson Quiz: 'Seven Cities of Cibola'
Conflicts with Pueblos: Identify the region in which the Pueblo lived, the associated tribes (Hopi and Zuni), and the crops grown by them. Explain the conflicts between the Pueblo and the Spaniards.	Pueblo		3738
	Lesson Quiz: Conflicts with Pueblos
Chapter Test: Exploration of the Americas:

Test Chapter 5: "North American Colonization"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Locate English Colonies: Define colony. Use a map to locate and label the thirteen English colonies. Differentiate each colony by region: New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, and Southern Colonies.	Thirteen in All		3740
	Lesson Quiz: Locate English Colonies
Reasons for Colonization: Describe the two major changes, religion and economics, in England that caused the great interest in establishing the English colonies.	Religion or Country?		3742
	Lesson Quiz: Reasons for Colonization
Jamestown: Explain how the first colony originated in Jamestown, Virginia (in 1607), and the role John Smith played. Describe the period known as the ''Starving Time.'' Explain how land ownership and growth of tobacco crops were major reasons for the survival of the Jamestown economy.	Virginia Settlements		3744
	Lesson Quiz: Jamestown
Pocahontas: Retell the legend and history of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. Explain their roles in the clashes between Native Americans	The Legend of Pocahontas		3746
	An Early American Heroine		3747
	Lesson Quiz: Pocahontas
Puritans: Describe the beliefs held by Puritans. Explain why some Puritans were called Pilgrims, and why, in 1620, the Puritans left Europe for Massachusetts.	Puritans or Pilgrims?		3750
	Back to Basics		3751
	Lesson Quiz: Puritans
Reasons for Migration: Explain several reasons why European colonists moved to America. Include the search for good farmland, trade opportunities, and religious freedom.	Finding Just the Right Place		3752
	More Reasons to Move		3753
	Lesson Quiz: Reasons for Migration
King Philips War: Explain the 1637 conflicts between Puritans and Native Americans. Describe the reasons for King Philip's War (in 1675).	Conflict between Old and New		3754
	Lesson Quiz: King Philip's War
Founders of Colonies: Identify the founders and dates of the following colonies: the Carolinas, Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. Explain why the purchase of Manhattan Island was the most profitable land purchase in history.	So Many Different Colonies		3756
	Who, When, Where		3757
	Lesson Quiz: Founders of Colonies
Enslavement of Africans: Explain slave trade in the Southern Colonies and its economic impact. Explain the differences between indentured servants, and slaves as property. Describe the voyage known as the Middle Passage and its conditions for captured Africans.	Slavery in the Southern Colonies		3758
	Lesson Quiz: Enslavement of Africans
Plymouth Colony: Describe the establishment of the Plymouth Colony by the Pilgrims Include discussion of: the importance of religious freedom, the voyage of the Mayflower, the 1620 Mayflower Compact, and the first Thanksgiving. Explain why the Plymouth Colony was taken over by the Massachusetts colony.	Plymouth Colony		3760
	Lesson Quiz: Plymouth Colony
Colonial Life: In general terms, describe colonial life in America. Include areas such as colonial economy, society, government, homes, churches, schools, transportation, communication, art, and science.	Everyday Life in Colonial America		3762
	Colonial Life		3763
	Lesson Quiz: Colonial Life
Chapter Test: North American Colonization:

Test Chapter 6: "Rural, Suburban, Urban Region"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Your Community: Identify your community as rural, urban, or suburban. Identify the general features of each of these communities as related to size, density, and grasslands.	City, Suburbs, or Country?		3803
	Your Community		3802
	Lesson Quiz: Your Community
Characteristics: Describe the characteristics of rural, urban, and suburban communities in terms of housing, community size, populations, jobs, culture, recreation, and transportation.	Welcome to the City		34024
	Welcome to the Suburbs		34026
	Welcome to the Country		34027
	The Place for You		3805
	Life in the City, Suburbs, Country		3804
	Lesson Quiz: Characteristics
Compare & Contrast: Compare and contrast these different types of communities in the United States. Locate each type of community on a U.S. map.	Where Do You Live?		34025
	Lesson Quiz: Compare & Contrast
Relationships: Describe the relationship between people and their environments in rural, urban, and suburban communities.	North or South, Hot or Cold		3808
	Wherever You Go, It's There		3809
	Lesson Quiz: Relationships
Land Forms & Bodies of Water: Describe the various landforms and bodies of water that may be found in rural, urban, and suburban communities.	Land and Water		3810
	Landforms and Bodies of Water		3811
	Lesson Quiz: Land Forms & Bodies of Water
Resources: Identify the natural resources in your community. Describe ways in which people can protect these resources.	Resources, Naturally		3812
	Nature's Gifts		3813
	Lesson Quiz: Resources
Development & Change: Describe how rural, urban, and suburban communities have developed and changed over time.	Over Time		3814
	Time Line		3815
	Lesson Quiz: Development & Change
Chapter Test: Rural, Suburban, Urban Region:

Test Chapter 7: "Economics"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Earn, Save, & Spend Money: Explain why people earn, save, and spend money.	Money, Money, Money, Money		3788
	It Makes the World Go Round		3789
	Lesson Quiz: Earn, Save, & Spend Money
Interdependence: Describe how people in the United States are dependent upon other countries for goods (products). Explain the interdependence of people and products in your community.	All for One and One for All		3790
	The Things Everyone Needs		3791
	Lesson Quiz: Interdependence
Employers/Employees: Describe the differences between employer and employees and the responsibilities and duties of each.	Team Work		3792
	It Really Works		3793
	Lesson Quiz: Employers/Employees
Function of Banks: Explain the different ways people can use banks: to save and to borrow money. Explain why banks charge interest to the borrower.	You Can Bank On It		3794
	Take It to the Bank		3795
	Lesson Quiz: Function of Banks
Natural Resources: Name the natural resources and the goods produced in your local region.	Some Things of Value		3796
	All Natural		3797
	Lesson Quiz: Natural Resources
Imports/Exports: Distinguish between imports and exports.	The Ins and Outs of Economics		3798
	Import In/Export Out		3799
	Lesson Quiz: Imports/Exports
Production of Goods: Identify the various ways that goods are produced: agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and trade.	It's Good(s) for You		3800
	The Producers		3801
	Lesson Quiz: Production of Goods
Chapter Test: Economics:

Test Chapter 8: "Citizenship & Government"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Purpose of Government & Law: Explain why all communities and states have governments and laws. Identify some laws in your community.	Safe at Home		3816
	Law and Order		3817
	Lesson Quiz: Purpose of Government & Law
Duties, Heads of Government: Name the heads of your local and state government. Describe how the responsibilities of a mayor and governor differ. Identify some of the responsibilities of local government. Describe what a city council does and how people can become members of a city council.	Heads of State and City		3818
	Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way		3819
	Lesson Quiz: Duties, Heads of Government
Town Meetings: Explain what a town meeting is, what issues may be discussed, and how decisions are made. Identify some issues in your community that need to be addressed.	Speak for Yourself		3820
	Your Opinion Counts		3821
	Lesson Quiz: Town Meetings
Participation: Explain why it is important for people to take part in local government by voting. Describe ways in which you have participated in voting at home, in school, or within groups and organizations.	Get Involved		3822
	Cast Your Vote		3823
	Lesson Quiz: Participation
Community Leaders: Identify leaders who have made a difference in the development of your community. Describe the contributions they have made.	In the Lead		3825
	Lesson Quiz: Community Leaders
Chapter Test: Citizenship & Government:

Test Chapter 9: "Chronology"
Lesson	Activity Name	Type	LA#	Worksheet
Timelines: The learner will understand the concept of time and chronology by reading and constructing timelines.	It's a Matter of Time		34018
	Lesson Quiz: Timelines
Passing of Time: Describe historical times in terms of years, decades and centuries.	Through the Years		34019
	Lesson Quiz: Passing of Time
Chapter Test: Chronology:

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Additional Resources Related to Third Grade Social Studies

If you're interested in the third grade social studies lesson plans, you might also be interested in:

Lesson plans for other grade levels of social studies:

• Second grade social studies lesson plans
• Fourth grade social studies lesson plans

Other third grade subjects and topics:

• Third grade math lesson plans
• Third grade language arts lesson plans
• Third grade science lesson plans
• Third grade spelling lists
• Third grade writing standards

Wondering how many lessons to have your child do each day? Our lesson planning worksheet can help you estimate.

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