OECS Logo

Historical and Cultural Thinking

In Grade 3, students build on knowledge gained in earlier levels regarding the different ethnicities and cultures that make up Caribbean society. This strand helps students recognize the different cultures and ethnic groups in their country, learn about events that led to multiple ethnic groups in the Caribbean today, and understand the role each group played in our collective history.

Grade Three Expectations for Historical and Cultural Thinking

Essential Learning Outcome: Our Ancestors

To understand the ways in which our island's peoples nurture respect for diversity.

  • Name the earliest inhabitants of our island
  • Explore evidence of early settlements
  • Discuss the Indigenous cultures of our island
Focus Questions:

What evidence is there to show the settlement of the early inhabitants in our islands?

Specific Curriculum Outcomes

By the end of Grade Three, the learner will be expected to:

Inclusive Assessment Strategies

Assessment strategies that provide information about learning:

  • Observations: Observe students during KWL activities, role plays, and picture inferencing
  • Conversations: Pre-assessments, guided discussions, oral inquiries, student reflections
  • Products: Digital replicas of artifacts, presentations, posters, word art, infographics, journals

Sample Assessment Tools:

  • Pre-assessment conversations to identify earliest inhabitants
  • Project-based assessments for creating digital replicas of artifacts
  • Observation checklists for role play activities
  • Rubrics for evaluating presentations and posters
  • Crossword puzzles on island culture and heritage

Inclusive Learning Strategies

Additional Resources and Materials

Videos and Online Resources

Texts and References

  • Albertin, M & Brathwaite, M. (2020) Caribbean Primary Social Studies: Our Country Community. (Third edition). Hodder Education, London.
  • Carman, L. (2018). Primary Social Studies For the Caribbean: Level 3. Macmillan Publishers, London.
  • Caribbean Educational Publishers (2011). New Primary Level Social Studies Lower Primary Book 2.
  • OECS Education Reform Unit Primary Social Studies Grades K-6 Teachers Guide

Teacher Content Knowledge

The first two major groups of people to settle in the Caribbean were the Taino People and the Kalinago People. The early inhabitants used materials (wood, stones, bones, cotton) from the environment to make their tools.

The main groups who came to the Caribbean and their origins include:

  • Amerindians - South America
  • Europeans - Europe
  • Africans - West Africa
  • Indians and Chinese - Asia

Culture is the way we live. We express our culture through festivals, religions, music, foods, dress, language, sports/games, and customs. The Caribbean dialect is also referred to as the Creole Language, resulting from the historical influence of various ethnic groups that settled in the region.