Nova Scotia · Grade 3
Social Studies, Grade 3
Nova Scotia’s Grade 3 social studies course, from Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada to Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 4
- Skills
- 9
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 2 skills
Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada
Where is Nova Scotia?
Locating Nova Scotia in the Atlantic region
I can find Nova Scotia on a map and describe where it is in the Atlantic region of Canada.
Skill 1.1
The waters around Nova Scotia
I can name and locate the main bodies of water that surround Nova Scotia on a map.
Skill 1.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 1.1
- location of Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada
- 1.2
- location of Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada
Key ideas
Atlantic Canada is a region with four provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Nova Scotia is on the east coast of Canada.
Maps use signs, symbols, and legends to show places.
We describe location using words like near, beside, north, and south.
Nova Scotia is almost surrounded by water - it is nearly an island.
Watch out for
- Thinking Nova Scotia is in the middle of Canada - it is on the east coast.
- Confusing Nova Scotia with the whole Atlantic region - it is one of four provinces.
- Thinking Nova Scotia is landlocked - it is nearly surrounded by water.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 2 skills
Expressions of Culture
How Cultures Express Themselves
Asking about diverse people and cultures
I can ask questions about how the different cultural groups in Nova Scotia express their culture.
Skill 2.1
Culture through the four groups
I can describe one way each of Nova Scotia's cultural groups expresses its culture, rooted in its traditions.
Skill 2.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 2.1
- investigate various groups including Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Gaels, and Mi’ kmaq, through their expressions of culture
- 2.2
- through their expressions of culture
Key ideas
Cultural expression is how a group shares its heritage: language, stories, music, art.
Nova Scotia's cultural groups include Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Gaels, and Mi'kmaq.
Language is a key way people communicate and preserve their culture.
'How do the Gaels express their culture?' is a good question.
Expressions of culture are rooted in a group's traditions and history.
Watch out for
- Thinking culture is only food and clothing - it includes language, stories, and art.
- Thinking only one group has culture - every group does.
- Reducing a group's culture to one stereotype - each has many rich expressions.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 3 skills
Positive Interactions
Getting Along and Respecting Everyone
Gathering information about positive interactions
I can gather examples of positive interactions among people and explain why respect helps a community.
Skill 3.1
Understanding stereotypes
I can explain what a stereotype is and why believing unfair ideas about a group is harmful.
Skill 3.2
Making an action plan
I can make a simple plan for a positive action in my community and explain the good it would do.
Skill 3.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 3.1
- strategies that promote positive interactions in the community
- 3.2
- promote positive interactions in the community
- 3.3
- implement strategies that promote positive interactions in the community
Key ideas
Positive interactions are respectful, kind ways people treat each other.
Respecting and valuing diversity makes a community welcoming.
People work together at events like festivals, food banks, and clean-ups.
Positive interactions have benefits for everyone in a community.
A stereotype is an unfair, exaggerated idea that all people in a group are the same.
Watch out for
- Thinking respect only matters for people like you - it matters for everyone.
- Thinking getting along 'just happens' - it takes effort and kindness.
- Thinking a stereotype is true because 'everyone says so'.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 2 skills
Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy
Being a Good Citizen
What makes a responsible citizen
I can describe what a responsible citizen does, including how to be responsible online (digital citizenship).
Skill 4.1
Rights and responsibilities for everyone
I can tell the difference between a right and a responsibility, and know they belong to citizens of all cultural groups.
Skill 4.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 4.1
- rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy
- 4.2
- rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy
Key ideas
A responsible citizen cares about their community and acts fairly.
Characteristics: standing up for others' rights, being involved, behaving ethically.
Digital citizenship means being kind and safe online too.
Active citizens like Viola Desmond stood up for fairness and the rights of others.
A right is something you are owed (to be safe, to learn, to be treated fairly).
Watch out for
- Thinking citizenship is only for adults - children are citizens too.
- Thinking being online has no rules - digital citizenship matters.
- Thinking rights and responsibilities are the same - a right is owed to you, a responsibility is your duty.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
The official curriculum
This page follows Nova Scotia’s own curriculum for Social Studies, Grade 3.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Social Studies, Grade 3 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Social Studies, Grade 3 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 27
- Fillable fields
- 1,086
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Social Studies, Grade 3
What is Social Studies, Grade 3?
Nova Scotia’s Grade 3 social studies course: 4 units and 9 skills, from Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada to Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy.
What units are in Social Studies, Grade 3?
1. Nova Scotia in Atlantic Canada, 2. Expressions of Culture, 3. Positive Interactions and 4. Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy.
Is there a provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 3?
No. Nova Scotia gives no provincial exam for Social Studies, Grade 3.
What comes after Social Studies, Grade 3?
Social Studies, Grade 4.
Can MapleMind help with Social Studies, Grade 3?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Social Studies, Grade 3, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Social Studies, Grade 3
Practise every skill of Social Studies, Grade 3 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
