Hello, 3rd Graders!
Social Studies class has officially begun! In this unit, "The Landscape of Our City," we are going to explore the town where you live with the spirit of an "exploration team."
At first, you might feel like it's tricky to figure out "what is where," but don't worry. Once you get the hang of it, the everyday scenery you see will become even more interesting!
1. Master the Directions!
"Directions" are essential when describing what your town looks like. They are like "magic words" to help you know what is in which direction.
【North, South, East, and West】
On a map, the top is always fixed as "North."
・North
・South
・East
・West
★ Tips for Remembering!
"The sun rises in the 'East' and sets in the 'West'" — if you remember it this way, you'll know the directions whenever you step outside! Also, when you face North, your right hand points "East" and your left hand points "West."
Point: Maps feature a mark shaped like a "4" called a compass rose. The top of the arrow always points North.
2. Observe the Landscape of the Town
If you look at the town from a high vantage point or walk around it, you'll notice that the area looks different depending on where you are. Generally, they are divided into the following areas:
① Areas with many shops (Commercial District)
Around train stations and near major roads, you will find department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants all gathered together. It's usually busy and crowded with people.
② Areas with many houses (Residential District)
These are places where many single-family homes or large apartment buildings are lined up. Schools and parks are often found nearby as well.
③ Areas with many factories (Industrial District)
Here, you'll see large buildings, and many trucks drive through. These are often found near the ocean or near expressways.
④ Areas with many fields and rice paddies
These are places where vegetables and rice are grown. There is lots of greenery, and the buildings aren't very tall.
💡 Fun Fact:
Why are there so many shops near the station? It's because "so many people gather there" to catch the train. Wherever people gather, shops are sure to follow!
3. Learn Map Symbols!
On maps, symbols are used to make buildings easy to identify. These are created based on "what they look like from above" or "the shape of the tools used there."
Top 5 Common Map Symbols:
1. (文) School: Derived from the character "bun" (meaning sentence/writing/culture).
2. (〒) Post Office: Comes from the "te" in the old government office name "Teishinsho."
3. (×) Police Box (Koban): Based on the shape of two crossed police batons.
4. (H) Hospital: The symbol for a hospital. *While it used to be a different symbol, this one is now commonly used for clarity.
5. (卍) Temple: A special mark found at Buddhist temples.
⚠️ Common Mistake:
It's easy to mix up the "City Hall" and "Fire Station" symbols!
・City Hall: ◎ (A circle inside a circle)
・Fire Station: Shaped like a Y (based on an old tool used to put out fires)
4. The Secret of Land Use
When you look closely at a town, you can see that how land is used depends on its "elevation" and the "surrounding environment."
・Flat Land: Easy to build houses or create rice paddies.
・High Land (mountains or cliffs): Often used as forests, or as parks because of the beautiful view.
・Near Rivers: Because water has been easy to obtain for growing rice since long ago, you will often see rice paddies spread out here.
Summary:
Keep in mind that in our city, how the land is used changes depending on the location!
5. Conclusion: Summary and Review
Let's look back at the key points from today!
✅ Remember the directions (North, South, East, West)!
✅ Understand that there are different areas like shops, houses, factories, and fields!
✅ Learn map symbols by looking at their shapes and origins!
Next, try looking at a map of the town you live in and see if you can find your house or your school. If you can make discoveries like, "Oh! There are a lot of houses here," or "There is a lot of green over here," you are already a master of Social Studies!
Social Studies is an "adventure" to learn about the world outside. Let's keep moving forward and have fun with it!