Social Studies 3 Learning Coach Guide

Welcome Letter

Dear Learning Coach, 

Thank you for partnering with CCA and investing in your learner’s education. This Learning Coach Guide is intended to help you support your learner in their Social Studies 3 course. 

Within this guide, you will find the goals, components, and features of the online course. Please take time to read and review this information so you understand how to help your learner interact with all the course’s elements. 

The Learning Coach Guide also includes information about each of the units in this course. On each page of unit information, you will discover the following.  

• The Unit Overview will tell you what the focus, content, and skills of the unit will be.  
• The Unit Assessment section is a place for you and your learner to preview the graded work in the course. At the start of each unit, work with your learner to look at the unit in edio and find out which types of graded work are in this unit. Write them in the box and use it as a checklist. You can check off each one as your learner completes it. 
• The Unit Materials section tells you the materials your learner will need to complete the activities in this unit. You will also find the materials list repeated within each lesson so that your learner has exactly what they need at the right time. 
• The Unit Discussion Questions are optional questions that you may want to ask your learner during the unit to increase home and school connections about what your learner is studying.   
• In the Unit Notables section, you may find optional activities, literature connections, career connections, technology tips, or ideas to help your learner if they get stuck.

CCA wishes you and your learner a terrific school year! 

Supporting Your Learner

Your role as a Learning Coach is very important. Here are a few ways you can help your learner do their very best in the course.

• Help your learner know what time guided or live class instruction is scheduled for, and prompt them to attend sessions or watch recordings.
• Look for Learning Coach Notes in the course. These are special messages to provide you with information about an activity or topic.
• Remember, it is okay for your learner to get stuck. Learning new material takes time. Encourage them to take breaks, keep trying, and even ask the teacher for help.
• Help your learner navigate technology. That may mean helping them type information or upload work into edio.
• Always encourage your learner to do their very best.
• Review the course syllabus for your learner’s course.
• Maintain communication with your learner’s teacher.

Part B:
Course Information

Course Goals

In Social Studies 3, your learner will develop their understanding of their government at work and the election process by exploring the different levels of government, including Pennsylvania’s state and local government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Your learner will expand their knowledge of the world around them by exploring physical geography, human geography, and Pennsylvania’s geography as it relates to the five themes of geography. Your learner will discover what economies are and how people’s choices affect an economy by exploring goods, services, consumers, and producers. They will explore the contributions of different groups of people in Pennsylvania during the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and differentiate between major industries in Pennsylvania during those times. Your learner will explore the elements of different cultures and the importance of diversity.

By the end of the year, your learner will be able to:

• understand how the United States became a democracy;
• identify the levels of government;
• understand their state and local governments and the services they provide;
• describe how the election process works;
• develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens as well as how to be a good citizen;
• recognize different sources of conflict and how they can be resolved;
• tell why geography is important;
• know the differences between physical characteristics and human characteristics in geography;
• describe the impact of human-environment interactions and how humans adapt to and modify the environment around them;
• identify the physical and human characteristics of Pennsylvania;
• locate Pennsylvania and describe its location in the country and world;
• understand what economies are and how choices affect an economy;
• identify what resources are involved in economics;
• identify goods, services, consumers, and producers in their local community;
• recognize what is gained and given up when making a choice;
• tell how the government affects the economy and the important role businesses have;
• compare situations of saving and spending money;
• differentiate between past, present, and future events;
• identify the contributions of different groups of people in Pennsylvania during the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries;
• differentiate between important Pennsylvania industries from the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries;
• identify elements of culture;
• explain the importance of understanding other cultures and ethnicities;
• explain the importance of diversity;
• compare and contrast different cultures; and
• identify ways to respect different cultures and ethnicities.

Course Format

Lesson Components:

Each day, your learner will spend approximately 45 minutes completing a Social Studies 3 lesson. Some days may take less time, while other days may take a little more time. The lesson does not need to be completed in one sitting. Encourage your learner to take short breaks as they need.

This section will help you to understand how your learner’s course is structured in edio.

Lesson Bundling:

Within the lesson bundles, there are different components your learner will interact with. These components will not be used every day.

In Unit 1, the Knowledge Check will be bundled with the lesson on Day 2. In each unit that follows, the Knowledge Check will be bundled with the first lesson of that unit. 

See the example below.

• Getting Started Lesson: There is one Getting Started lesson in this course. It can be found on Day 1 of Unit 1. This lesson includes important information about the course and contact information for your teacher.
• Unit Overview: Each unit will include a unit overview. This describes what your learner will learn in the unit and how many assessments the unit will have.
• Prep for Success: At the beginning of each unit, your learner will find a Prep for Success. This component offers learners tips to be successful in the course, such as study tips, important software information, safety reminders, and more.
• Knowledge Check: There will be one Knowledge Check in each unit. The Knowledge Check is designed to check prior learning and understanding of key skills and concepts that will be taught in the unit. The Knowledge Check is not a graded assessment.

Each lesson has its own components to help guide your learner through the lesson.

• Lesson Overview: At the beginning of every lesson, your learner will see the lesson overview. This section contains lesson objectives, lesson vocabulary, materials your learner will need for the lesson, and the suggested lesson length.
• Engage: The first section of the lesson is Engage. In this section, learners will be introduced to the lesson by making a connection to past and present knowledge and will get ready for the lesson’s instruction.
• Discover: New content and instruction is presented in the Discover section. Your learner will interact with the lesson content through defined vocabulary terms, videos, audio, and Pause and Think activities. Your learner will be able to practice and answer questions as they work through the lesson.
• Show: Learners will demonstrate what they have learned in the lesson through a series of practice questions.
• Wrap Up: This section recaps the day’s objectives.

The course includes assignments and projects. These graded assignments allow your learner to show what they have learned and apply their new skills. All CCA assignments and projects include these components.

• Assessment Overview: At the beginning of each assessment, your learner will see the assessment overview. This section contains the goals of the assessment, materials your learner will need, length of the assessment, and directions for completion.
• Plan: In the Plan section, learners will be introduced to the assignment or project. Learners may be provided with a review of content from the previous lessons, strategies for completing the activity, graphic organizers, and grading rubrics.
• Do: Learners put their plan into action and work to complete the assignment or project successfully. This section also provides the grading expectations and/or rubric the teacher will use to grade the work.
• Reflect: In Reflect, learners will think back to the work they completed. They will reflect upon the experience and analyze how well they completed the task. These moments of reflection are important and allow learners to think about their learning and their work habits.

In addition to assignments and projects, this course also includes quizzes and tests.

• Quiz Review: Before a quiz, learners will have the opportunity to review the content they will be assessed on in the quiz.
• Quiz: A quiz may be given at the end of a topic or the end of a unit. A quiz will usually be worth 10 to15 points.
• Unit Review: Before a test, learners will have the opportunity to review the content they will be assessed on in the test.
• Unit Test: A test will assess learning across topics or at the end of a unit. A test is usually worth 25 to 50 points.

Course Features

This course includes and uses unique features such as:

Social Studies Activity Book: Learners will receive a Social Studies Activity book in which they can answer questions and complete activities that support the online lessons.

Career Spotlight: Learners will explore different careers, including the careers of a mayor, a park naturalist, and an entrepreneur.

Social Studies Projects: Learners will complete two Social Studies projects in this course to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts.

Part C:
Unit Information

Your Government at Work Unit

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will discover the different levels of government, including Pennsylvania’s state and local governments. Your learner will also experience the election process by creating a campaign platform to run for mayor. They will learn about a citizen’s rights and responsibilities, how to be a good citizen in their school, community, and state; and how to deal with conflict.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What rights and responsibilities do you have? Why are they important?

How can you be a good citizen in your school and community?

What are some ways in which you could resolve conflict?

Unit Notables

In this unit, your learner will learn how the government and a mayor work. Together, share and discuss what a mayor does to support their community’s citizens. Your learner will craft a mayoral campaign platform by understanding citizen needs, and present it through a speech, brochure, or poster.

Kit Materials

Social Studies Activity Book

colored pencils or crayons, white printer paper (one or two pieces)

Optional materials: white poster board

Household Materials

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will discover the different levels of government, including Pennsylvania’s state and local governments. Your learner will also experience the election process by creating a campaign platform to run for mayor. They will learn about a citizen’s rights and responsibilities, how to be a good citizen in their school, community, and state; and how to deal with conflict.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What rights and responsibilities do you have? Why are they important?

How can you be a good citizen in your school and community?

What are some ways in which you could resolve conflict?

Unit Notables

In this unit, your learner will learn how the government and a mayor work. Together, share and discuss what a mayor does to support their community’s citizens. Your learner will craft a mayoral campaign platform by understanding citizen needs, and present it through a speech, brochure, or poster.

Kit Materials

Social Studies Activity Book

colored pencils or crayons, white printer paper (one or two pieces)

Optional materials: white poster board

Household Materials

The World Around You Unit

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will discover physical geography through physical characteristics and physical processes. Your learner will explore human geography and develop an understanding of how humans adapt to and modify their environment. Your learner will also explore the human geography of Pennsylvania and showcase their understanding through a two-part project.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

How does geography affect your life?

How do you adapt your lifestyle based on the region you live in?

How are physical geography and human geography different? What physical features does your community have?

Unit Notables

In this unit, your learner will be introduced to the career of a park naturalist and explore how humans have adapted to and modified their environments. Discuss with your learner how they have adapted to and modified their environment and what observations they may have made regarding their community’s modification of its environment.

Kit Materials

Social Studies Activity Book

Household Materials

colored pencils or crayons, white printer paper (one or two pieces)

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will discover physical geography through physical characteristics and physical processes. Your learner will explore human geography and develop an understanding of how humans adapt to and modify their environment. Your learner will also explore the human geography of Pennsylvania and showcase their understanding through a two-part project.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

How does geography affect your life?

How do you adapt your lifestyle based on the region you live in?

How are physical geography and human geography different? What physical features does your community have?

Unit Notables

In this unit, your learner will be introduced to the career of a park naturalist and explore how humans have adapted to and modified their environments. Discuss with your learner how they have adapted to and modified their environment and what observations they may have made regarding their community’s modification of its environment.

Kit Materials

Social Studies Activity Book

Household Materials

colored pencils or crayons, white printer paper (one or two pieces)

Your Economy at Work Unit

History and Cultural Diversity Unit

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will explore the contributions of different groups of people in Pennsylvania during the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and differentiate between major industries in Pennsylvania during those times. Your learner will explore the elements of different cultures and the importance of diversity.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

If you could travel back in time, what century would you like to live in? Why?

What is the importance of landmarks?

How have industries evolved?

Unit Notables

In this unit, your learner will explore ethnicity and culture, both around the world and in Pennsylvania. If your learner is unfamiliar with their ethnicity and culture, discuss these topics with them. Your learner will encounter an example of a family tree. Assist them in creating their family tree to support their understanding of their ancestry.

Kit Materials

Social Studies Activity Book

Household Materials

none

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will explore the contributions of different groups of people in Pennsylvania during the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and differentiate between major industries in Pennsylvania during those times. Your learner will explore the elements of different cultures and the importance of diversity.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

If you could travel back in time, what century would you like to live in? Why?

What is the importance of landmarks?

How have industries evolved?

Unit Notables

In this unit, your learner will explore ethnicity and culture, both around the world and in Pennsylvania. If your learner is unfamiliar with their ethnicity and culture, discuss these topics with them. Your learner will encounter an example of a family tree. Assist them in creating their family tree to support their understanding of their ancestry.

Kit Materials

Social Studies Activity Book

Household Materials

none