In this Grade 3 Social Studies lesson from Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond, students explore the concepts of culture and diversity, learning how immigrants from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America each brought their own foods, languages, holidays, traditions, and arts to shape American society. Students examine what makes the United States a diverse nation and investigate cultural contributions within their own communities through research and a team-based brainstorming game.
Section 1
Groups Share a Way of Life
Every group of people has its own culture. Culture is the special way a group lives, thinks, and celebrates together. It is something that connects people to each other and to their past.
This shared way of life includes many parts. It is the foods people eat, the languages they speak, and the music they create. It is also the holidays they celebrate and the special traditions they pass down through their families.
Section 2
People Arrived from Around the World
For a long time, people have moved to the United States from all over the world. Many of these immigrants came from countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. They traveled here hoping to start a new life.
Other people did not choose to come. Many people from Africa were captured and forced to travel to America as enslaved people.
Section 3
Newcomers Share Their Cultures
When newcomers move to the United States, they bring their ways of life with them. They carry their special foods, music, and holidays in their hearts and memories.
They share parts of their culture with their new neighbors. A family might open a restaurant, teach a traditional dance, or celebrate a holiday from their home country. Other people learn about these traditions and start to enjoy them, too.
Section 4
People Share Cultural Gifts
When people move to a new country, they bring parts of their culture with them. These are like special gifts they share with everyone. These gifts make American culture more interesting and diverse.
We can see these cultural contributions all around us. We can sort them into groups to understand them better. These groups include foods, languages, holidays, and traditions.
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Section 1
Groups Share a Way of Life
Every group of people has its own culture. Culture is the special way a group lives, thinks, and celebrates together. It is something that connects people to each other and to their past.
This shared way of life includes many parts. It is the foods people eat, the languages they speak, and the music they create. It is also the holidays they celebrate and the special traditions they pass down through their families.
Section 2
People Arrived from Around the World
For a long time, people have moved to the United States from all over the world. Many of these immigrants came from countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. They traveled here hoping to start a new life.
Other people did not choose to come. Many people from Africa were captured and forced to travel to America as enslaved people.
Section 3
Newcomers Share Their Cultures
When newcomers move to the United States, they bring their ways of life with them. They carry their special foods, music, and holidays in their hearts and memories.
They share parts of their culture with their new neighbors. A family might open a restaurant, teach a traditional dance, or celebrate a holiday from their home country. Other people learn about these traditions and start to enjoy them, too.
Section 4
People Share Cultural Gifts
When people move to a new country, they bring parts of their culture with them. These are like special gifts they share with everyone. These gifts make American culture more interesting and diverse.
We can see these cultural contributions all around us. We can sort them into groups to understand them better. These groups include foods, languages, holidays, and traditions.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter