In this Grade 3 lesson from Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond, students explore the history of people settling in the United States, from the first Americans who arrived from Asia over 11,500 years ago to European colonizers, enslaved Africans, and later immigrants. Students learn key vocabulary including citizen, immigrant, and discriminate, and examine why and how different groups came to the Americas before and after 1800. The lesson also covers the challenges immigrants faced upon arrival and how people become citizens and members of American society.
Section 1
Groups of People Settle the Americas
Thousands of years ago, the first people traveled to the Americas from Asia. They spread out and created many different communities across the land. Today, their descendants are called Native Americans.
In 1492, an explorer named Christopher Columbus sailed from Europe and landed in the Americas. Following his voyage, many other explorers and settlers arrived. They started colonies and began to take control of the land.
Section 2
The Great Wave of Immigration
In the late 1800s, a huge number of immigrants began arriving in the United States.
To enter the country, millions of people sailed to New York and passed through the inspection station at Ellis Island, which opened in 1892.
Section 3
Immigrants Form New Communities
When these immigrants arrived, they often settled near port cities. Many chose to live together with people from their home country to feel safe.
In these ethnic neighborhoods, like Chinatown or Little Italy, they could speak their own language and share familiar foods.
Section 4
Immigrants Faced New Challenges
Starting a new life was hard. Many immigrants arrived with little money and did not speak English.
They also faced discrimination, which means being treated unfairly. Some people would not give them jobs just because they were from a different country.
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Section 1
Groups of People Settle the Americas
Thousands of years ago, the first people traveled to the Americas from Asia. They spread out and created many different communities across the land. Today, their descendants are called Native Americans.
In 1492, an explorer named Christopher Columbus sailed from Europe and landed in the Americas. Following his voyage, many other explorers and settlers arrived. They started colonies and began to take control of the land.
Section 2
The Great Wave of Immigration
In the late 1800s, a huge number of immigrants began arriving in the United States.
To enter the country, millions of people sailed to New York and passed through the inspection station at Ellis Island, which opened in 1892.
Section 3
Immigrants Form New Communities
When these immigrants arrived, they often settled near port cities. Many chose to live together with people from their home country to feel safe.
In these ethnic neighborhoods, like Chinatown or Little Italy, they could speak their own language and share familiar foods.
Section 4
Immigrants Faced New Challenges
Starting a new life was hard. Many immigrants arrived with little money and did not speak English.
They also faced discrimination, which means being treated unfairly. Some people would not give them jobs just because they were from a different country.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter