Communities.

I always start the year out talking about communities in Social Studies. Since I have about 15 minutes at the end of the day to teach science or social studies (My district has the shortest school day in the state. We get out 30-40 minutes earlier than other district.) Anyways. I try to integrate my content area into my literacy block. Then I have 15 minutes at the end of the day to extend the read aloud. 

My third graders are expected to identify characteristics of urban, suburban, and rural communities and why people chose to live there. I use these four big books (Benchmark Education) to teach this concept. 

This book describes all three communities.  I bought these three last year. They focus on one community and give a little more information.

Each day I read about one community and create the following chart. I have them tell me the characteristics and I chart them. When all the characteristics have been given, I have them think about why people would want to live there.

Students have their own chart to fill in as I fill mine in. Once all three communities have been discussed, we use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast them.

For an assessment, Students read about three different children in their community. Students have to identify which community is which. They also have to write about which community they would choose to live in and give three reasons why.

 I also have them identify places in our community. We lists, malls, theaters, museums, zoos, parks, and fun places.