AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
Overarching Idea
Guiding Questions
IPG: First Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 3
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Location and Place
Location and place can be determined by using the tools of geography.
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How do maps help us determine location and place?
Why does location and place cause maps and globes to change?
How do maps and globes reflect location, place and history?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Environment
Overarching Idea
Guiding Questions
People in different communities adapt to or modify the physical environment.
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How do people adapt to or change their environment?
Why is it necessary for some communities to adapt to their environment in different ways?
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Communities
Overarching Idea
People live and work together in communities both locally and in the world.
Guiding Questions
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What are the characteristics that differentiate world and local communities?
What differences are reflected in how people live in a local community versus a world
community?
© Austin Independent School District 2009-2010
1
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: Social Studies
IPG: First Nine Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 3
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Culture
Overarching
Idea
Cultures have multiple elements that have a strong influence on how people live.
Guiding
Questions
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What influences do different groups have on the culture of an area?
How does the significance of a culture impact the role of the individual?
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Freedom
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
Citizens remember sacrifices made for freedom, founding, and establishing of country.
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What is the significance of Constitution Day and freedom?
Why is freedom important?
What actions, events in history promoted freedom in the United States?
© Austin Independent School District 2009-2010
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