Tennessee Academic Standards (adopted in 2024): Grade 3
Skills available for Tennessee Grade 3 social studies standards
Content Strand
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Social Studies Practices
SSP.01 Gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including: printed materials; graphic representations; artifacts; media and technology sources; oral history.
Map skills
SSP.01 Gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including: printed materials; graphic representations; artifacts; media and technology sources; oral history.
Map skills
SSP.02 Critically examine a primary or secondary source in order to: summarize significant ideas and relevant information; distinguish between fact and opinion; draw inferences and conclusions; recognize author's purpose and point of view, and reliability.
SSP.02 Critically examine a primary or secondary source in order to: summarize significant ideas and relevant information; distinguish between fact and opinion; draw inferences and conclusions; recognize author's purpose and point of view, and reliability.
SSP.03 Organize data from a variety of sources in order to: compare and contrast multiple sources; recognize differences between multiple accounts; frame appropriate questions for further investigation.
SSP.03 Organize data from a variety of sources in order to: compare and contrast multiple sources; recognize differences between multiple accounts; frame appropriate questions for further investigation.
SSP.04 Communicate ideas supported by evidence to: demonstrate and defend an understanding of ideas; compare and contrast viewpoints; illustrate cause and effect; predict likely outcomes; devise new outcomes or solutions; develop strategies for appropriate civic discourse.
SSP.04 Communicate ideas supported by evidence to: demonstrate and defend an understanding of ideas; compare and contrast viewpoints; illustrate cause and effect; predict likely outcomes; devise new outcomes or solutions; develop strategies for appropriate civic discourse.
SSP.05 Develop historical awareness by: recognizing how and why historical accounts change over time; recognizing how past events and issues might have been experienced by the people of that time with historical context; identifying patterns of continuity and change over time, making connections to the present.
SSP.05 Develop historical awareness by: recognizing how and why historical accounts change over time; recognizing how past events and issues might have been experienced by the people of that time with historical context; identifying patterns of continuity and change over time, making connections to the present.
SSP.06 Develop geographic awareness by: determining relationships among people, resources, and ideas based on geographic location; determining the use of diverse types of maps and their features based on the purpose; analyzing the spatial relationships between people, circumstances, and resources; analyzing interaction between humans and the physical environment; examining how geographic regions and perceptions of the regions change over time.
SSP.06 Develop geographic awareness by: determining relationships among people, resources, and ideas based on geographic location; determining the use of diverse types of maps and their features based on the purpose; analyzing the spatial relationships between people, circumstances, and resources; analyzing interaction between humans and the physical environment; examining how geographic regions and perceptions of the regions change over time.
Indigenous Peoples Through European Exploration (Prior to 1585)
3.01 Compare and contrast the geographic regions of North American Indians, and examine the environments' influence on their customs (e.g. housing and clothing)
3.01 Compare and contrast the geographic regions of North American Indians, and examine the environments' influence on their customs (e.g. housing and clothing)
3.02 Understand examples of cooperation and conflict between North American Indian nations over control of land.
3.02 Understand examples of cooperation and conflict between North American Indian nations over control of land.
3.03 Identify and locate on a map the countries involved in 16th and 17th century North American exploration, including: France; Great Britain; Italy; Portugal; Spain.
3.03 Identify and locate on a map the countries involved in 16th and 17th century North American exploration, including: France; Great Britain; Italy; Portugal; Spain.
3.04 Identify the routes and contributions of early explorers of the Americas, including Jacques Cartier, Christopher Columbus, Hernando de Soto, and Amerigo Vespucci.
3.04 Identify the routes and contributions of early explorers of the Americas, including Jacques Cartier, Christopher Columbus, Hernando de Soto, and Amerigo Vespucci.
3.05 Examine how American Indians were impacted as result of contact with European explorers, including: decreased population; spread of disease (i.e., smallpox); increased conflict; loss of territory; influence of trade.
3.05 Examine how American Indians were impacted as result of contact with European explorers, including: decreased population; spread of disease (i.e., smallpox); increased conflict; loss of territory; influence of trade.
Early North American Settlements (1585–1600s)
3.06 Explain the significance of the settlement of Jamestown, and the role it played in the founding of the United States.
3.06 Explain the significance of the settlement of Jamestown, and the role it played in the founding of the United States.
3.07 Explain the significance of the settlements of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, and the role they played in the founding of the United States.
3.07 Explain the significance of the settlements of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, and the role they played in the founding of the United States.
3.08 Examine how the regional (i.e., New England, Middle, and Southern) geographic features of the Thirteen English Colonies influenced their economic and cultural development.
3.08 Examine how the regional (i.e., New England, Middle, and Southern) geographic features of the Thirteen English Colonies influenced their economic and cultural development.
3.09 Identify the economic, political, and religious reasons for founding the Thirteen English Colonies.
3.09 Identify the economic, political, and religious reasons for founding the Thirteen English Colonies.
3.10 Identify the sources of unpaid labor (i.e., indentured servitude and enslaved persons) in the Thirteen English Colonies, and how they affected the development of regional economies.
3.10 Identify the sources of unpaid labor (i.e., indentured servitude and enslaved persons) in the Thirteen English Colonies, and how they affected the development of regional economies.
3.11 Identify examples of democratic practices in the Thirteen English Colonies (e.g., representative assemblies and town meetings).
3.11 Identify examples of democratic practices in the Thirteen English Colonies (e.g., representative assemblies and town meetings).
3.12 Explain interactions that existed between colonists and American Indians during the 1600s and 1700s, including fur trade, military alliances, treaties, and cultural exchanges.
3.12 Explain interactions that existed between colonists and American Indians during the 1600s and 1700s, including fur trade, military alliances, treaties, and cultural exchanges.
3.13 Analyze the impact of conflicts between colonists and American Indian nations brought on by the intrusions of colonization.
3.13 Analyze the impact of conflicts between colonists and American Indian nations brought on by the intrusions of colonization.
The War for Independence (1700–1780s)
3.14 Describe the influence of Benjamin Franklin and his attempts to unify the colonies, including the "Join or Die" political cartoon.
3.14 Describe the influence of Benjamin Franklin and his attempts to unify the colonies, including the "Join or Die" political cartoon.
3.15 Identify the causes and consequences of the French and Indian War, and recognize Fort Loudoun's role in it.
3.15 Identify the causes and consequences of the French and Indian War, and recognize Fort Loudoun's role in it.
3.16 Explain how political and economic ideas and interests brought about the American Revolution, including: resistance to imperial policy (e.g., Proclamation of 1763); The Stamp Act, 1765; The Townshend Acts, 1767; Tea Act, 1773; "taxation without representation"; Intolerable/Coercive Acts, 1774; the role of Patrick Henry.
3.16 Explain how political and economic ideas and interests brought about the American Revolution, including: resistance to imperial policy (e.g., Proclamation of 1763); The Stamp Act, 1765; The Townshend Acts, 1767; Tea Act, 1773; "taxation without representation"; Intolerable/Coercive Acts, 1774; the role of Patrick Henry.
3.17 Explain the different forms of protest colonists used to promote change in British policies (e.g., the Boston Tea Party, tarring and feathering, letter writing, and boycotts).
3.17 Explain the different forms of protest colonists used to promote change in British policies (e.g., the Boston Tea Party, tarring and feathering, letter writing, and boycotts).
3.18 Explain the historical and present-day significance of the Declaration of Independence, including the roles of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock.
3.18 Explain the historical and present-day significance of the Declaration of Independence, including the roles of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock.
3.19 Determine the importance of the following groups to the American Revolution: Loyalists (i.e., Tories); Minutemen; Patriots; Redcoats; Sons of Liberty.
3.19 Determine the importance of the following groups to the American Revolution: Loyalists (i.e., Tories); Minutemen; Patriots; Redcoats; Sons of Liberty.
3.20 Explore major events and battles of the American Revolution (e.g., Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Battles of Lexington and Concord, Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill, Battle of Saratoga, Valley Forge, Battle of Yorktown).
3.20 Explore major events and battles of the American Revolution (e.g., Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Battles of Lexington and Concord, Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill, Battle of Saratoga, Valley Forge, Battle of Yorktown).
3.21 Evaluate the contributions made by women during the American Revolution, including: Abigail Adams; Mary Ludwig Hays (i.e., Molly Pitcher); Betsy Ross; Deborah Sampson; Phillis Wheatley.
3.21 Evaluate the contributions made by women during the American Revolution, including: Abigail Adams; Mary Ludwig Hays (i.e., Molly Pitcher); Betsy Ross; Deborah Sampson; Phillis Wheatley.
Creating a New Government (1781–1789)
3.22 Identify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including no power to tax and a weak central government.
3.22 Identify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including no power to tax and a weak central government.
3.23 Identify the roles of James Madison and George Washington during the Constitutional Convention, and describe the major issues debated, including: distribution of power between the states and federal government; Great Compromise; slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise.
3.23 Identify the roles of James Madison and George Washington during the Constitutional Convention, and describe the major issues debated, including: distribution of power between the states and federal government; Great Compromise; slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise.
3.24 Describe the conflict between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over ratification of the Constitution, including the need for a Bill of Rights.
3.24 Describe the conflict between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over ratification of the Constitution, including the need for a Bill of Rights.
3.25 Describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including (T.C.A. § 49-6-1028): purposes of government (listed in the Preamble); separation of powers; branches of government; checks and balances; recognition and protection of individual rights (in the 1st Amendment).
3.25 Describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including (T.C.A. § 49-6-1028): purposes of government (listed in the Preamble); separation of powers; branches of government; checks and balances; recognition and protection of individual rights (in the 1st Amendment).
3.26 Examine the legacy and significance of the presidency of George Washington, including: the creation of cabinet member positions, two-party split, and the push for a strong central government.
3.26 Examine the legacy and significance of the presidency of George Washington, including: the creation of cabinet member positions, two-party split, and the push for a strong central government.
Growth of the Republic (1800s–1850)
3.27 Describe the impact of the Louisiana Purchase, including the significance of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson, and Sacagawea, and map the exploration of the Louisiana Territory.
3.27 Describe the impact of the Louisiana Purchase, including the significance of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson, and Sacagawea, and map the exploration of the Louisiana Territory.
3.28 Identify effects and key people of the War of 1812, including Tennessee Volunteers and the role of Andrew Jackson.
3.28 Identify effects and key people of the War of 1812, including Tennessee Volunteers and the role of Andrew Jackson.
3.29 Explain the impact of Andrew Jackson's presidency, including the Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears.
3.29 Explain the impact of Andrew Jackson's presidency, including the Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears.
3.30 Describe the experiences of settlers on the overland trails to the West (e.g., California Trail, Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail), including the purpose of the journeys and influence of geography.
3.30 Describe the experiences of settlers on the overland trails to the West (e.g., California Trail, Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail), including the purpose of the journeys and influence of geography.
3.31 Examine the impact of President James K. Polk's view of Manifest Destiny on westward expansion.
3.31 Examine the impact of President James K. Polk's view of Manifest Destiny on westward expansion.
3.32 Explain the significance of the California Gold Rush on westward expansion.
3.32 Explain the significance of the California Gold Rush on westward expansion.
3.33 Analyze the impact of the American Industrial Revolution, including the significance of: cotton gin; railroads; steamboats; telegraphs.
3.33 Analyze the impact of the American Industrial Revolution, including the significance of: cotton gin; railroads; steamboats; telegraphs.