Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 3 Social Studies
Grade 3 Social Studies exploring communities in Canada, including urban and rural communities, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives, and how people interact with their environments.
Communities in Canada
Students explore the diversity of communities across Canada, identifying how geography, climate, and culture shape where and how people live.
Students define what makes a community and identify common elements such as shared spaces, services, and people.
An exploration of Canadian cities like Toronto and Ottawa, focusing on high population density, infrastructure, and diverse services.
Students investigate life in farming towns, fishing villages, and northern outposts where nature plays a central role in daily life.
Students learn to use and create maps to identify key features and landmarks within their own and other Canadian communities.
Indigenous Peoples and the Land
A deep dive into the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Canada, focusing on their traditional territories and enduring cultures.
Students learn about the distinct languages, cultures, and governance of various First Nations across Canada.
Exploring the Inuit Way of Life in the Arctic, including traditional knowledge (IQ) and adaptation to the tundra.
Students discover the history and culture of the Métis people, including their symbols like the infinity flag and the fiddle.
Recognizing the technologies and knowledge shared by Indigenous peoples, such as the canoe, snowshoes, and medicinal plants.
Living and Working in Ontario
Examining the relationship between the environment and the economy in Ontario, and how people meet their needs.
Students identify key resources like minerals, timber, and water that drive Ontario's economy.
Comparing different types of jobs and how they contribute to the community's well-being.
Understanding how different communities rely on each other for goods and services.
An introduction to basic economic concepts like needs vs. wants and budgeting within a community context.
Environmental Citizenship
Students explore human impact on the environment and how communities can work toward sustainability.
Investigating how building cities, roads, and farms changes the natural landscape.
How people across Canada change their lifestyles to suit their local weather and climate patterns.
The importance of the Great Lakes and other water bodies, and the responsibility to keep them clean.
Students identify ways they can contribute to environmental protection in their own school and neighborhood.
Global Connections and Citizenship
Broadening the perspective to see how Canadian communities interact with the world.
An introduction to Canada's neighbors and how we share resources and ideas globally.
A basic look at how local and provincial governments help organize and support our communities.
Exploring the different festivals, foods, and traditions that make Canadian communities vibrant.
Defining the rights and responsibilities of individuals within their local and global communities.