Below is a bried description of each area of Social Studies that students will explore throughout the year. You can check out the Arizona Department of Edcuation website for more detailed information.
American History 
A study of American history is integral for students to analyze our national experience through time, to recognize the relationships of events and people, and to interpret significant patterns, themes, ideas, beliefs, and turning points in Arizona and American history. Students will be able to apply the lessons of American History to their lives as citizens of the United States.
World History
A study of World History is integral for students to analyze the human experience through time, to recognize the relationships of events and people, and to interpret significant patterns, themes, ideas, beliefs, and turning points in American and world history. Students should be able to apply the lessons of World History to their lives as citizens of the United States and members of the world community.
Civics/Government
The goal of the civics strand is to develop the requisite knowledge and skills for informed, responsible participation in public life; to ensure, through instruction, that 
students understand the essentials, source, and history of the constitutions of the United States and Arizona, American institutions and ideals (ARS 15-710). Students will understand the foundations, principles, and institutional practices of the United States as a representative democracy and constitutional republic. They will understand the importance of each person as an individual with human and civil rights and our shared heritage in the United States. Students will understand politics, government, and the responsibilities of good citizenship. Citizenship skills include the capacity to influence policies and decisions by clearly communicating interests and the ability to build coalitions through negotiation, compromise, and consensus. In addition, students will learn that the United States influences and is influenced by global interaction.
Geography
The goal of the geography strand is to provide an understanding of the human and physical characteristics of the Earth’s places and regions and how people of different 
cultural backgrounds interact with their environment. Geographic reasoning is a way of studying human and natural features within a spatial perspective. Through the study of geography, students will be able to understand local, national, regional, and global issues. Students will interpret the arrangement and interactions of human and physical systems on the surface of the Earth. As these patterns have changed over time and are important to governments and economies, geographic reasoning will enhance students’ understanding of history, civics, and economics.
Economics
The goal of the economics strand is to enable students to make reasoned judgments 
about both personal economic questions and broader questions of economic policy. Students will develop an economic way of thinking and problem solving to understand and apply basic economic principles to decisions they will make as consumers, members of the workforce, citizens, voters, and participants in a global marketplace. This will prepare students to weigh both short-term and long-term effects of decisions as well as possible unintended consequences. The study of economics explains historical developments and patterns, the results of trade, and the distribution of income and wealth in local, regional, national, and world economies. Students will be able to analyze current issues and public policies and to understand the complex relationships among economic, political, and cultural systems.
The following curriculum has been developed by Mesa Public Schools to use with all third grade students in the district.
Living in the U.S.A.
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Classroom interaction
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Citizenship and responsibilities
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Relate to world around them through experience
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Introduction to mapping—classroom, community, country
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Introduction to economics
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Basic government structure (tied to civics)
The World Long Ago
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Help students think about the past
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Concepts of historical time
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identify European roots
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World Geography
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Consider contributions from ancient societies
People on the Move
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Focus on exploration and immigration
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Cultural contributions and exchange
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Mapping
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Integrate economic factors: impacts communities
Traveling to the Future
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Conflict and change in America—impact on societyIndustrial Revolution
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Invention and technology
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Current events, including environment
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Trade
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Our future (in global terms)