Unit Plan 5 (Grade 3 Social Studies): Community Symbols and Traditions

Focus: Recognize local and national symbols (flags, monuments, landmarks, mascots) and important community traditions (parades, holidays, festivals), and explain what they represent. Students connect symbols and traditions to shared values like freedom, service, and community pride, and learn about significant people, groups, and events in local/regional history that are remembered through these symbols and celebrations.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Social Studies (Civics • History)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students explore the symbols and traditions that surround them—at school, in their town, and in their country. They examine familiar images such as the school mascot, state or local flag, and U.S. flag, as well as monuments, memorials, and community celebrations. Through photos, short texts, and discussions, students learn that symbols stand for ideas and values and that traditions often honor people, groups, and events from the past. By the end of the unit, students create a simple “Our Community Symbols & Traditions” display or booklet that explains what selected symbols and traditions mean and who or what they honor.

Essential Questions

• What are symbols and traditions, and where do we see them in our classroom, community, and country?
• How do symbols like flags, seals, monuments, and mascots show what a community values or cares about?
• How do parades, holidays, and other traditions help us remember important people, groups, and events from history?
• What community symbols and traditions are important to our school and town, and what do they represent?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify and name examples of local and national symbols (school mascot, city or state seal, U.S. flag, important monuments) and explain what they stand for in kid-friendly language.
2. Describe at least one community or national tradition (parade, holiday, festival, ceremony) and explain why people celebrate or remember it.
3. Identify at least one significant person, group, or event in local/regional history and explain their contribution using a short bio card or mini-poster.
4. Interpret how symbols and commemorations like flags, memorials, and parades show shared values (freedom, service, courage, community pride).
5. Create a simple “Our Community Symbols & Traditions” product that includes:
   • A symbol or tradition.
   • What it represents or remembers.
   • Who is connected to it (people, groups, or events).
6. Use basic vocabulary such as symbol, tradition, holiday, monument, memorial, and community correctly in discussions and writing.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (C3-based custom)

• 3.C3.Civ.4 — Interpret common symbols and commemorations; explain how they express shared values.
  • Example: Explain why communities display flags or hold memorial parades.
• 3.C3.Hist.3 — Identify significant people, groups, and events in local/regional history and explain their contributions.
  • Example: Write a short bio card for a local leader or tradition.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name some community and national symbols and tell what they stand for.
• I can describe a tradition (like a parade, holiday, or ceremony) and explain why people celebrate it.
• I can create a short bio card or explanation about a person, group, or event connected to a symbol or tradition.
• I can explain how a symbol or celebration shows something people care about, like freedom, bravery, or helping others.
• I can make a simple page or poster that clearly shows a symbol or tradition and what it represents.