In this Grade 3 lesson from Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond, students learn how to use maps to locate their community and famous U.S. landmarks by applying cardinal and intermediate directions, map keys, symbols, and map scales. Students build and use a compass to identify the directional position of landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty, and Golden Gate Bridge from the geographic center of the continental United States. The lesson also introduces key geography vocabulary including canyon, symbol, and scale within the context of Chapter 1: Geography.
Section 1
States Form the United States
The United States is a large country on the continent of North America. It is made up of 50 smaller parts called states. Think of the country as a giant puzzle, and each state is one of its pieces.
Every state is different and has its own special communities and features. Some states have big cities with tall buildings, while others have wide-open farms or high mountains. Together, all 50 states create one big country.
Section 2
Students Use Tools to Read Maps
Maps are special drawings that show us where to find places, like our community or a big city. They are like looking at the world from a bird's-eye view.
To read a map, we use special tools. A compass rose shows us directions like north and south. A map key tells us what the different symbols on the map mean, like a star for a city.
Section 3
Landmarks Represent Big Ideas
Some special places are called landmarks. Landmarks are more than just buildings or statues. They can also be symbols that stand for big ideas that are important to people.
The Statue of Liberty is a famous landmark in New York City. It was a gift to America. For many people, this statue is a symbol of freedom and hope for a new life in the United States.
Section 4
People Build Famous Landmarks
Some famous places in the United States were built by people. These are called man-made landmarks. Each one has its own special story about how and when it was made.
Building these landmarks took a lot of work and many years. For example, workers spent 14 years carving the presidents' faces into Mount Rushmore. The Golden Gate Bridge opened a long time ago, in 1937.
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Section 1
States Form the United States
The United States is a large country on the continent of North America. It is made up of 50 smaller parts called states. Think of the country as a giant puzzle, and each state is one of its pieces.
Every state is different and has its own special communities and features. Some states have big cities with tall buildings, while others have wide-open farms or high mountains. Together, all 50 states create one big country.
Section 2
Students Use Tools to Read Maps
Maps are special drawings that show us where to find places, like our community or a big city. They are like looking at the world from a bird's-eye view.
To read a map, we use special tools. A compass rose shows us directions like north and south. A map key tells us what the different symbols on the map mean, like a star for a city.
Section 3
Landmarks Represent Big Ideas
Some special places are called landmarks. Landmarks are more than just buildings or statues. They can also be symbols that stand for big ideas that are important to people.
The Statue of Liberty is a famous landmark in New York City. It was a gift to America. For many people, this statue is a symbol of freedom and hope for a new life in the United States.
Section 4
People Build Famous Landmarks
Some famous places in the United States were built by people. These are called man-made landmarks. Each one has its own special story about how and when it was made.
Building these landmarks took a lot of work and many years. For example, workers spent 14 years carving the presidents' faces into Mount Rushmore. The Golden Gate Bridge opened a long time ago, in 1937.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter