Social Studies Grade Three

Unit 4: Decision Making

Unit Overview for Grades 1 to 5

Learning at each grade level is organized around four units of study.

Unit 1 Identity Unit 3 Interdependence

Unit 2 Heritage Unit 4 Decision Making

This curriculum uses a spiral model for organizing learning objectives. With this developmental model, concepts are introduced and developed within the context of a theme and at a level appropriate for the students in the classroom. The unit "Decision Making" is developed in the following way:

Unit Summary for Grade Three

Students will learn that making decisions is an integral part of life, for both personal and corporate situations. They will identify and participate in various ways of making decisions within businesses, organizations, and local governments.
Students will understand that decisions are usually made to accommodate human needs and wants. They will also understand that when decisions are made, choices as well as rules and laws are usually involved.
Students may apply the knowledge and skills gained during the year to design a community.

Major Concepts and Learning Objectives
Concepts
Decision making

choices, conflict resolution, rules, laws, change, leadership, future
Knowledge Objectives
Students will know that:

making decisions is an integral part of life. (PSVS)
rules and laws are made for specific reasons and may be changed. (PSVS, CCT)
groups make decisions in different ways and for various reasons. (PSVS, CCT)
decisions often result in change. (PSVS, CCT)
Skills/Abilities Objectives
Students will:

identify and practice various effective decision-making strategies. (N, PSVS)
make connections between rules/laws and their purposes. (C, PSVS, CCT)
learn to work with a group to make decisions. (C, PSVS)
identify and compare decisions that resulted in change. (C, PSVS, CCT)
Attitudes/Values Objectives
Students will:

value peaceful decision-making processes. (PSVS)
value rules/laws. (PSVS)
appreciate decisions for positive changes. (PSVS, CCT)
Citizen Action Objectives
Students may:

participate in decision-making situations. (C, PSVS, CCT)
plan and create a community of the future. (C, PSVS, CCT, IL, TL)

Suggestions for Integration

Science:
Core Unit: The Solar System (Module 3)
Arts Education:
Decision making is an important element of the Arts Education program. The teacher may look for ways to transfer skill between these two subjects.
Health:
Wherever appropriate, the health action model which involves a three step process of decision making may be applied to social studies projects.
Student skills/abilities may be supported in all subjects.