The goals of our social studies curriculum (based on the Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks for Massachusetts) are to learn skills and address issues in the following areas:

• culture and identities
• interdependence
• geography
• time, continuity and change
• people and environments

Our social studies curriculum for the third and fourth grades is based on two key questions. How does geography impact culture? What happens when cultures meet? The curriculum will integrate an exploration of Brazil with a parallel study of regions and people in the United States.

In November, we will develop geography and mapping skills and use statistics to explore economic and demographic characteristics of the two countries. From December through May we will explore the relationship between the Native American, African and European influences that make up the cultures of Brazil and the United States. During Literature Group, we will read origin stories from the cultures of the Brazilian people. These stories will help us understand how different cultures relate to and value their environment. In January and February, we will research and recreate a traditional Brazilian style Carnaval. We will also do a neighborhood study in the spring to learn from Brazilian immigrants in our area. Our approach to the study of Brazil will be multidisciplinary, incorporating all aspects of the curriculum. Students will learn from a variety of resources including literature, music, video, and guests from the local Brazilian community.