• Third graders use observation skills to explore and learn about social studies.eye image by Andrii IURLOV from Fotolia.com
  
  Social studies explores human society including the way different cultures live, dress and behave. Third graders are encouraged to make observations about the world around them and draw conclusions about how these observations affect them. Students may also explore topics such as land formations, maps and the role of government.
  
  

Field Trips

• Field trips provide students with the means to visually observe different cultures while they are going about their daily lives. Depending on the your locality possible field trips can include visits to Indian reservations, the Amish country, Little Italy, Chinatown, or any other area that may expose the class to traditional values and cultures of a specified group. Students can be told to observe the people and their neighborhood or to make observations about food, clothing, careers, customs or relationships. After the field trip, children can write paragraphs about what they observed and share them with the class.
  
  

Maps

• Observation skills enhance third graders' abilities to demonstrate geography skills.Today many schools use laminated maps so that students can test their knowledge by identifying different locations. Students can be introduced to map keys, identifying land formations and compasses that indicate directions. After the teacher introduces various map features and models them, students can answer questions, and find and label different areas on a map with a dry erase marker. They can also circle areas that have requested land formations by identifying symbols from the map key. After they become familiar with different maps, children can make maps of their neighborhoods and create map keys of their own.
  
  

Shared Cultural Customs

• Diversity is embraced in many classrooms today. Invite students to share their history and cultural heritage. Students can wear traditional clothing, bring food and share information about their heritage. Some parents or grandparents may be able to share books and pictures to help children envision certain cultural activities. Children can also introduce each other to cultural music, festivals and holidays. Each child's observation about his own culture will help enhance his presentation and generate class interest. When children are finished sharing, each child can create a compare and contrast chart by comparing his own culture with that shared by a classmate. The finished charts can be placed on a bulletin board so the children can continue to compare their cultural identities.