The document outlines a 4-week social studies unit plan for 3rd grade focused on ancient Greece and the roots of democracy. It includes standards from Georgia Performance Standards for Social Studies and Quality Core Curriculum standards for technology integration. Key understandings for students are that Athens, Greece was the birthplace of democracy, Greek architecture has influenced the US, and technology can be used to learn about other cultures. Essential questions guide students to compare Athenian and US democracy, explore the role of citizens, and examine Greece's influence on the US. Students will learn about Greek democracy, architecture, and location while building skills in using technology for research and communication.

1. Title of Greece: The Blueprints Grade 3rd Grade
Unit for the United States Level
Curriculum Social Studies Time 4 weeks
Area Frame
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Content Standards:
My standard for the course is the NETS-S below. I am using this class as an opportunity to
enhance my skills collaborating with a teacher in the classroom setting. I chose to use Georgia
Performance Standards for Social Studies and I am using Georgia Quality Core Curriculum
Standards for Technology Integration since my goal is to incorporate technology into a
classroom unit as a media specialist.
NETS-S:
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively,
including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
GPS Standards for Social Studies:
SS3H1 – The student will explain the political roots of our modern democracy in the United
States of America.
SS3G1 – The student will locate major topographical features.
QCCs for Technology Integration:
QCC 3: Basic Skills: Demonstrates an understanding of the uses of technology and
communication tools at home and in the community.
QCC 6: Production: Utilizes technology tools to facilitate the writing process.
QCC 8: Production: Uses multimedia tools to express ideas.
QCC 10: Communication: Uses technology to gather information, communicate with others.
Understandings
Students will understand that:
• Athens, Greece is the birthplace of democracy. (SS3H1c)
• Citizens in a community should obey rules and laws. (SS3H1b)
• Government reinforces the law to protect its citizens. (SS3H1b)
• People choose their leaders and govern themselves in a democracy. (SS3H1b)
• An Athenian democracy is a direct democracy. (SS3H1c)
• A United States democracy is a representative democracy. (SS3H1c)
• Greece is located on the European continent. (SS3G1d)
• Greece has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. (SS3G1d)
• Athens is proud to have held the first Olympic Games. (SSH1a)
• Greek architecture has influenced many aspects of United States architecture. (SS3H1a)
• Architecture reflects a community’s culture. (SSH1a)

2. Related Misconceptions:
• The United States is the first to use democracy as a form of government.
• A democracy is the same as a republic.
• Many of the Greek buildings were built utilizing slavery.
• People using different languages cannot communicate through technology because of the
language barrier.
• People have to travel to other countries to see events, geography, culture, and people first-
hand.
Essential Questions
Overarching Questions: Topical Questions:
• What is the role of a citizen in a democracy? • How can the location of Greece be
(SS3G1b) described on a world map? (SS3G1d)
• What are the benefits of living in a • Where did democracy begin? (SSH1c)
democracy? (SS3G1b, c) • What are the differences between an
• What are the benefits of having a Athenian democracy and a United States
representative democracy? (SS3G1b, c) democracy? (SS3H1b, c)
• What role do the Olympic Games play in • Where was the first Olympic Games held?
bringing the world together? (SSH1a) (SSH1a)
• How does architecture reflect culture? • What influences has Greece had on United
(SSH1a) States architecture? (SSH1a)
• Why is learning about other cultures • How can the Internet help us learn about
important? other cultures? (QCC 10)
• How does technology expand our • What are the government’s duties to its
classroom? (QCC 3) citizens? (SS3H1b)
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge Skills
Students will know: Students will be able to:
• Characteristics of a democracy • Identify and explain the characteristics of
• Roles of a citizen communities/democracies.
• Related vocabulary (community, law, • Give examples of rights and responsibilities
citizen, democracy, columns, Parthenon) of citizens.
• Origin and purpose of Olympic Games • Explain the reasons for rules and laws.
• Location of Greece • Use technology to gather information and
• Greece’s role in United States government communicate with others.
• Greek columns are found in United States • Use multimedia tools to share information.
government buildings • Identify Georgia buildings with Greek
architecture.
• Describe how the government of the United
States is like that of Greece.