Grade 3 Explores the 50 States of America Through Inquiry and Creativity

The Grade 3 States Inquiry Presentation on November 22 was a smashing success. Built around the U-CREATE skills and competencies—Understanding of Self, Collaboration, Resilience, Engagement, Agency, Trust, and Empathy—this foundational Grade 3 unit supports students’ learning in a variety of ways.

Over several weeks, students developed questions, researched topics, and created projects connected to a state. They chose different ways to present their research, including artifacts, posters, or Canva presentations. Students built agency as they worked on these individual projects, sparked curiosity in themselves and others by sharing their findings during social studies lessons and library classes, and demonstrated resilience by taking risks to learn something new.

Additionally, many students harnessed their empathy and agency to brainstorm solutions to specific issues affecting their chosen states. The States Inquiry Presentation, held just before Thanksgiving, showcased the interdisciplinary nature of the project by incorporating elements of music, dance, art, design, library research, and social studies skills.